It's been a long journey for Guyle Fielder.
Born in Idaho, he weaved his way through childhood on the flatlands of Saskatchewan, and back to the Northwest. His life, in Seattle, was the stuff of legend.
"It was a big city," said Fielder about those days, when he did things on Seattle ice rinks that no one had seen before.
He was a star for the old Seattle Totems, at the Civic Ice Arena, and later the Coliseum. He lit the lamp multiple times, leading the Totems to multiple championships, and becoming a star in his own right.
"You had to sort of think like him and get yourself open and the puck would be there," said teammate Jim Powers, who paired with Fielder back then. "Guyle liked to play behind the net like Gretzky used to."
Only now do people mention Gretzky and Fielder in the same breath. Both men are among the top point scorers in professional hockey history, although Gretzky did it in front of the bright National Hockey League lights.
Fielder did it at a time when the NHL was still in the "Original 6" phase, meaning few jobs to go around. The WHL was considered high-level hockey. Fielder only played a handful of games in the NHL.
"That's just the way it was at the time. There was only so many jobs at that time. If you had your chance you better make you're best of it," said Fielder, now 88 years old. He scored 2,037 points during his more than two-decade-long career. Only four other players have scored more.
He's been dubbed the "Unknown Superstar" for the fact that many of his achievements happened during the days of old, grainy film. The NHL Seattle ownership group is looking to change that by bringing him back to the city. On a day last month, Fielder drank from a glass of beer near the same spot where he once sipped from the Lester Patrick Cup.
Fielder drove, with his longtime companion, from Arizona to Seattle for the special presentation. The group unveiled a new "Guyle Fielder Locker" at the team's preview center at the Pacific Science Center. Fielder choked back tears at the presentation, which included family and friends. The team will officially take the ice in 2021, and will also have an annual award in his honor for a top player.
"I didn't realize I had this much effect on Seattle hockey," said Fielder, who was tickled by the adoration, and still full of humor. "I wish I could take about 70 years off my life and start over again and see what I could do."
He laughed and reminisced about how the game has changed since he took the Seattle ice.
"Finesse, they've taken away the finesse of the game. They're bigger, stronger, and faster, and they can shoot. You don't see any playmaking in the middle of the ice," Fielder said.
Does he think the city will support the NHL team, a half-century after his playing days? Yes, Fielder said.
"I wish them all the best of luck because they've got some of the greatest fans in the country right here."
Special Thanks to David Eskenazi, who provided many of the old photos in the video.