Detroit Red Wings
Former Red Wings Forward Fielder Was Minor League Gordie Howe
High-scoring center played two stints in Detroit
There’s a hint of irony in that during his last shot to make it as an NHLer, Guyle Fielder skated on the same forward line alongside Detroit Red Wings icon Gordie Howe.
Fielder, after all, was the Gordie Howe of minor-league hockey.
In 23 minor pro seasons, Fielder, who died Saturday at the age of 95, accounted for 438 goals and 1,491 assists, totaling 1,929 points. It remains the mark for a minor-league player, as does Fielder’s 1,487 games.
He also had a little bit of Wayne Gretzky in his productivity. Fielder’s assist output is nearly double that of his nearest rival. He collected 100 points or more in four seasons, including a minor-league record of 122 points in 1956-57. In 10 seasons, he dished out at least 70 assists. He was the first player in pro hockey history to accumulate 2,000 career points.
In the Western Hockey League, Fielder was a nine-time scoring champion and a six-time MVP. He won rookie-of-the-year recognition in consecutive seasons – in the WHL in 1951-52 and the AHL in 1952-53.
Red Wings Gave Fielder Two Separate Looks
Fielder’s massive minor-league output never translated into success in the old six-team NHL. He got his first chance with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1950-51. Fielder went pointless in three games.
Guyle Fielder Biography https://t.co/sKOJ3waNBH pic.twitter.com/VJKpamT8Ce
— A DEMOCRAT FOR DEMOCRACY. (@TOGradyCHI) February 20, 2018
The Red Wings acquired Fielder from the PCHL New Westminster Royals in a March 1952 trade. He was called to the big club for the 1952-53 NHL playoffs. In four Stanley Cup games, Fielder was again held without a point.
The New York Rangers claimed Fielder on waivers from the Red Wings in September 1952. The Rangers wound up trading him to Seattle, with Seattle then dealing Fielder to the Boston Bruins.
The Bruins utilized Fielder for two playoff games in 1953-54, and once more, he was pointless.
The Red Wings would be reacquiring Fielder in a May 1957 purchase deal with the Seattle WHL club. He would be getting his final chance to make it in the show. And what a chance it was. Detroit GM Jack Adams installed Fielder as his No. 1 center between Howe and Johnny Wilson to start the season.
Seven games into the campaign, and with the 3-4 Red Wings languishing in fifth place, Fielder was given reassignment to the WHL Seattle Americans. Over six games, Fielder didn’t have a point. His only mark on the stat sheet was a minor penalty.
“He’s just too slow for the big ice of our league,” Adams told the Detroit Free Press of the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Fielder.
The #SeaKraken send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Seattle hockey legend Guyle Fielder, who passed away at the age of 95.
A staple in our city’s hockey history, we honor his contributions and legacy → https://t.co/7IEJSMF8xk pic.twitter.com/sujWJJaVX5
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) February 21, 2026
Fielder spent 15 seasons in Seattle. When the Seattle Kraken entered the NHL, they introduced the Guyle Fielder Award. It recognizes the player who best exemplifies Fielder’s perseverance, hustle, and dedication throughout the season.
In 2015, Fielder was inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame.
