Guyle Fielder
Encyclopedia
Guyle Abner Fielder is a retired American
professional ice hockey
center. He is the third-leading scorer in professional hockey history, behind only Wayne Gretzky
and Gordie Howe
, and holds the records as the leading games played, career assists and career points in minor league hockey history.
A preeminent playmaker, Fielder's NHL
career was short and not notable—he played a total of fifteen games for the Boston Bruins
, Chicago Black Hawks
and Detroit Red Wings
-- but his minor league career was anything but. He played a total of twenty-two seasons in the Western Hockey League
, principally for the Seattle Totems
, as well as for the New Westminster Royals
, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles
and the Portland Buckaroos
. He also played a single season for the St. Louis Flyers
of the American Hockey League
and had short stints with the Quebec Aces
and the Edmonton Flyers
.
In an era where there were only six teams
in the NHL, thus barring many talented players from a shot at the big time, Fielder was the WHL's greatest star. After winning rookie-of-the-year honors with New Westminster in 1952, he was a six time league MVP (including winning the award four years straight between 1957 and 1960), the league scoring leader nine times (including two stints of three straight) and a three-time honoree as most gentlemanly player. His one season in the AHL in 1953, unusually enough, won him rookie-of-the-year honors in that loop as well. He was drafted by the Houston Aeros
of the WHA in 1972, but chose to remain out west, playing his final season for the Buckaroos in 1973 before retiring.
Among Fielder's scoring feats were four seasons of more than 100 points—his mark of 122 in 1957 broke the professional record - and ten seasons of seventy assists or more. He retired having scored 438 goals and 1491 assists for 1929 points. His point total set a professional record, exceeding even Gordie Howe
's output to that point, and is still the all-time minor league mark. His assist total is likewise first all-time in the minor leagues, and is half again that of his nearest rival. Fielder also played in 1487 games, also the all-time minor league record.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
center. He is the third-leading scorer in professional hockey history, behind only Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
and Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
, and holds the records as the leading games played, career assists and career points in minor league hockey history.
Playing career
Fielder moved to Manitoba at an early age with his family and played Canadian junior hockey, representing Prince Albert and Lethbridge before turning pro.A preeminent playmaker, Fielder's NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
career was short and not notable—he played a total of fifteen games for the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
, Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
and Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
-- but his minor league career was anything but. He played a total of twenty-two seasons in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, principally for the Seattle Totems
Seattle Totems
The Seattle Totems were a professional ice hockey franchise in Seattle, Washington. They were a member of various minor professional and semi-professional leagues between 1945 and 1975. They played their home games in the Mercer Arena and later at the Seattle Center Coliseum...
, as well as for the New Westminster Royals
New Westminster Royals
The New Westminster Royals was the name of several professional and junior ice hockey teams based in New Westminster, British Columbia.The first team played from 1912-1914 in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association which was established in 1911....
, the Salt Lake Golden Eagles
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
The Salt Lake Golden Eagles were a minor professional hockey team based in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1969 to 1994.They played in the Western Hockey League from 1969 to 1974, the Central Hockey League from 1974 to 1984 and the International Hockey League from 1984 to 1994...
and the Portland Buckaroos
Portland Buckaroos
The Portland Buckaroos was the name of several professional ice hockey teams based in Portland, Oregon.-PCHL/NWHL era :The first incarnation of Portland Buckaroos played their home games at the Portland Ice Arena. The Buckaroos initially played in the four-team Pacific Coast Hockey League from...
. He also played a single season for the St. Louis Flyers
St. Louis Flyers
The St. Louis Flyers were a minor league ice hockey team, based in St. Louis, Missouri, playing home games at the St. Louis Arena in the city's Central West End, across from Forest Park....
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
and had short stints with the Quebec Aces
Quebec Aces
The Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup...
and the Edmonton Flyers
Edmonton Flyers
The Edmonton Flyers are a defunct ice hockey team that was based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The team existed from 1940 until 1963, playing in various senior and minor professional leagues during that time...
.
In an era where there were only six teams
Original Six
The Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...
in the NHL, thus barring many talented players from a shot at the big time, Fielder was the WHL's greatest star. After winning rookie-of-the-year honors with New Westminster in 1952, he was a six time league MVP (including winning the award four years straight between 1957 and 1960), the league scoring leader nine times (including two stints of three straight) and a three-time honoree as most gentlemanly player. His one season in the AHL in 1953, unusually enough, won him rookie-of-the-year honors in that loop as well. He was drafted by the Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
of the WHA in 1972, but chose to remain out west, playing his final season for the Buckaroos in 1973 before retiring.
Among Fielder's scoring feats were four seasons of more than 100 points—his mark of 122 in 1957 broke the professional record - and ten seasons of seventy assists or more. He retired having scored 438 goals and 1491 assists for 1929 points. His point total set a professional record, exceeding even Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
's output to that point, and is still the all-time minor league mark. His assist total is likewise first all-time in the minor leagues, and is half again that of his nearest rival. Fielder also played in 1487 games, also the all-time minor league record.
Career achievements
- Named to AHL First All-Star Team (1953)
- Named to WHL First All-Star Team (1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1967)
- Named to WHL Second All-Star Team (1961, 1965, 1966, 1968)