Hi everyone! Well, it’s that time of year again when network television slowly starts bringing back its hit shows for yet another season. Actually, it’s more Netflix than anything else. Orange Is The New Black is back and so is Glow, not to mention a whole slew of stand-up specials and straight-to-Netflix Adam Sandler movies. Then again, that sounds like what Netflix does year-round. Anyway, I needed some sort of segue into this week’s Overexposed card, featuring the NHL’s all-time greatest stuntman, David Oliver! Yes, you read that correctly. You won’t believe this cardboard classic until you see it, so I strongly urge you all to head on over to the Hockey Hall of Shame for your weekly dose of weirdness.

In keeping with the entertainment theme of the week, you can go read a new Oakland Tribune article from the summer of ’70, a time when the Seals were up for sale, and no one knew exactly who owned the team in the first place. Trans-National Communications claimed they owned the Seals, and wanted to sell them to roller derby king Jerry Seltzer, while Barry Van Gerbig also claimed ownership, and wanted to sell the team to Charles O. Finley. You all know how things ended up, and the rest is history.

If you’ve checked out the David Oliver card, you can see where I got the “broken neck” part of this week’s title. As for the rest, well, it’s holiday time, and I’m taking a break. Don’t fret though, I’ll just be away for a week, so no new update until the last week of August. So until next time, stay gold!

Hi everyone! Welcome back to Golden Seals Hockey for another trip in the Way-Back Machine. This week, I’ve added a new article detailing Bert Olmstead’s frustrations as he thought about resigning as head coach. Olmstead’s one and only season behind the bench (1967-68), did not at all go as planned. The Seals were expected to contend for the division crown. Instead, they were pretty much out of the playoff picture before Christmas, and by February, they were already busy polishing up their golf clubs. Olmstead made one last-ditch effort to better understand what was wrong with his players, but all that resulted from his observations way up in the stands was that he became even more disillusioned. You can read all about Olmstead’s last stand in the articles section.

There is also a new addition to the Overexposed wing of the Hockey Hall of Shame, and like most of the previous additions, it tries really, really hard to be cool, but in the end it achieves everything but coolness. It looks like poor Brent Sapergia of the San Diego Gulls got himself some really bad advice from some hack photog. Bad advice that likely continues to give the dude nightmares to this day. Take a trip down memory lane to a simpler time when men tried to look like rats, and women tried to look like Brillo pads that were struck by lightning. Check out this horrific slab of cardboard over in the Hall of Shame!

Until next time, stay gold!

Hi everyone! Happy Civic Holiday long weekend! At least, for those of you living in Canada. I don’t know what goes on in the U.S. the first Monday in August but here in Canada it is time to celebrate! What it is we celebrate, I really have no freakin’ clue. Civic Holiday is one of the weirdest holidays in Canada in that it serves really no purpose other than to give the populace a paid day off between Canada Day and Labour Day. All I know is that I don’t have to work, so I’m happy whatever the reason I’m allowed to sleep in on a Monday. (Who am I kidding, considering my son Emmett is only 3, I’ll be lucky if I’m still in bed past 6:30am.).

The point I’m trying to make is that rituals don’t always make a lot of sense, but in the end, they often make us happy, comforted and/or comfortable. Hockey players’ superstitions make about as much sense as Civic Holiday, as you will read in this week’s new article (thanks again to Pete Manzolillo). This piece comes from 1973-74 (I’m not sure exactly when), so it features little snippets from the lives and careers of Gilles Meloche, Bob Stewart, Gary Croteau, Morris Mott, and Hilliard Graves among others. Some of their superstitions produced (at least that what is believed) some interesting results, while others did absolutely nothing but provide some peace of mind. In either case, the article is an interesting insight into the minds of professional hockey players from a long-ago era.

While you’re here, be sure to check out the latest addition to the Overexposed wing of the Hockey Hall of Shame. This week, we feature one-time San Francisco Seal Doug Favell in what seems to be a very trying moment in his NHL career. You have to see his face to believe me.

Until next time, stay gold!

Hi everyone! Thanks for coming back once again, and judging by the latest ranking in Feedspot article, you guys have been spreading the word. Last year, Golden Seals Hockey was ranked number 52 in the list of best hockey websites, but this year, in the “Top 50 Ice Hockey Websites, Blogs & Newsletters To Follow in 2019” list, this site is ranked… 25th!

For the first time, as far as I can remember, I’m combining my job and my website. For those of you (all of you?) who are not aware, I am a French teacher, but I specialize in helping public servants here in Ottawa who need to pass their bilingualism tests. It’s a fun job, but not everyone is qualified to do it. It has taken me years to figure out exactly what I should be doing, but after eleven years at Fast Forward French in Kanata (the West end of Ottawa), I am now the academic director. This means I handle lots of student evaluations and assessments. It just so happens that site subscriber Pete Manzolillo sent me an awesome clipping from an old “Goal” game program, and in this clipping we see a Washington Capitals scouting report of the Cleveland Barons. The Caps were scheduled to face Cleveland December 2, 1977 and this report comes after the Barons’ 3-1 loss to Boston November 13.

In keeping with this week’s theme, our newest addition to the Overexposed wing of the Hockey Hall of Shame is certainly appropriate. After all, coaches are basically teachers in sweatsuits and skates, and this week we’re featuring former Winnipeg Jets coach Bob Murdoch (not the Seals’ Bob Murdoch, however), uh… teaching… the referee?… the fans?… the voices in his head? I really don’t know. Head on over this week’s newest induction and let me know what you think is going on. As usual, I’m just interpreting what I see, and I’m likely wrong, but if being wrong is… wrong… wait, I think that line might go some other way. It might have something to do with loving someone. Anyway, new induction this week, yay!

Until next time, stay gold!

As you probably already know, former Seals/Barons defenseman Mike Christie passed away July 11 as he was awaiting a kidney transplant. The Big Spring, Texas-born, but Calgary, Alberta-raised Chrisite was 69. Christie, in my opinion, was one of the more underrated defensemen in franchise history. Many don’t realize that he holds the franchise +/- record, which he set in 1976-77. He went +18 that year, which on a team like the Cleveland Barons, was like finishing +218 on a contending team. Of all the players who toiled in Oakland and Cleveland, he may have had the biggest heart, and was a respected team leader. Everyone remembers the night the Philadelphia Flyers jumped Christie in the penalty box, and Christie never complained about the unfortunate incident in any newspaper article I ever read. He was a tough individual with a little offensive flair. The same year he set the club mark for +/- he also scored 6 goals and added 27 assists, which were both career-highs. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Christie family as well as his teammates over the years. R.I.P. Mike.

I just wanted to do a small update this week, due to the fact we are having furniture delivered this weekend, thus meaning we have to rearrange (i.e. clean) the house before and after its arrival. I spent most of last evening moving one heavy couch from my basement, up a narrow set of stairs, around a sharp corner and into my living room, followed by moving the previous living room couch out into the garage where it will reside until the garbage truck comes by Monday morning. So, yeah, a little short on time this week, but all the same I happened to find an old article from a 1974 issue of The Hockey News featuring 2019 Seals Hall of Fame inductee Ivan Boldirev, who was then in his third and final season with the Seals. Boldirev was traded to Chicago just a few months later for Mike Christie and Len Frig in one of the most underrated deals made by the Seals. Sure, Boldirev was about as consistent as they came, and he had a great career with Chicago, Atlanta, Vancouver and Detroit, but the Seals’ defense immediately improved after acquiring Christie and Frig. Head on over to the articles section to take a look at the piece.

Until next time, stay gold!

I’m very sorry to report that former Seal and Baron Mike Christie, one of the finest and toughest defensemen in franchise history passed away July 11 at the age of 69. He was awaiting a kidney transplant at the time of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family, friends, and teammates. R.I.P.

Hi everyone! Welcome back to Golden Seals Hockey and to our once-a-year special day! It is time to present the Seals Hall of Fame Class of 2019. Please welcome Gary Simmons, Ivan Boldirev, and Jim Neilson to our hallowed Hall. Thanks to everyone who voted for our newest inductees as well as the other nominees over the last few months. The participation in the voting process was fantastic this year, even better than 2018. Word is starting to spread and I appreciate the efforts you have all made at getting people to visit the site.

On the recommendation of Robert Kirk of Brandon, Manitoba, I have also decided to induct, as the Hall’s first builder, the legendary Peanuts creator Charles M. “Sparky” Schulz. I think you will agree that his induction is long overdue and a tremendous past oversight. If you would like to read the biographies of our Class of 2019 inductees, please head over to the 2019 Inductees.

I got a tremendous gift in my Dropbox this week: a treasure trove of articles about the Kansas City Scouts and Washington Capitals. I’m so geeking out right now just trying to figure out where I’m going to start with them all. I’ve got media guides, Hockey News articles, game programs, and a whole lot of other cool stuff. I even found out that after the Scouts and Capitals exhibition tour of Japan, there were preliminary plans to invite the L.A. Kings and, wait for it… California Seals the next time around. Of course, that never happened, perhaps because the Seals moved to Cleveland before plans could be finalized. Looking forward to enjoying these new sources this weekend and getting back to writing more of my new book. And so I bid you all a good night and a great weekend!

Until next time, stay gold!

Hi everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed themselves a wonderful Canada Day or Independence Day, depending on where you call home. I had a nice, relaxing weekend in the Eastern Townships, where my son Emmett, my wife and I got to take in a small parade in the town of Hatley. Emmett missed out on the free popsicles they were handing out, but we got him a sno-cone and he was pretty happy. Then the sugar and lack of sleep got to him in mid-afternoon and he had a massive meltdown in the parking lot. Good times. Other than that little hiccup, it was actually a pretty nice weekend.

It’s gonna be a quick update this week, since the Currier clan has lots of plans for the weekend, and I’m going to be busy getting next week’s Seals Hall of Fame induction profiles ready. I did want, however, to leave you with something new for you to read over this weekend, and so I’ve added a new article that captures the spirit of that horrible 1970-71 season where the Seals finished dead last with a mere 45 points. It’s an interesting editorial from the Oakland Tribune’s Ed Levitt, who wrote many great pieces about the Seals, mostly from a behind-the-scenes point of view rather than descriptions of game action. You can read it over in the articles section, as usual. Hope you enjoy it as you try to beat the summer heat, which has become rather unbearable here in the Nation’s Capital.

Until next time, stay gold!

Hi everyone! It’s been a lovely week weather-wise up here in the Nation’s Capital. Got to spend lots of time outside, had some burgers and hot dogs at the first office barbecue of the season, and now I’m gearing up for the Canada Day long weekend. Hopefully the weather holds up a few more days, because there’s little worse than spending Canada Day outside in the pouring rain and humidity.

This week, lots of cool stuff! As you can surely read up above, it’s “Hall of Fame” week at Golden Seals Hockey. Congratulations to Guy Carbonneau, Sergei Zubov, Hayley Wickenheiser, Vaclav Nedomansky, Jim Rutherford, and Jerry York on their inductions to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and to celebrate we’ve got lots of new Hall-of-Fame-related material. First, we’ve got a new photo of a Seals jersey and hockey stick that currently reside at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Thanks to Pete Manzolillo for sending me the photo just this afternoon! You can find it over in the photo section.

Speaking of Halls, have we got a great new “pick” (and I mean that literally) for you in the Overexposed wing of the Hockey Hall of Shame. How is this cardboard travesty related to the hallowed Hall in Toronto? Well, it features not one, but TWO Detroit Red Wing legends, but you have to check the card out for yourself to find out which two, and exactly what shenanigans they are up to.

In the articles section, a great piece on the Seals one and only game against an international opponent. In 1978, a couple of Czech teams toured the NHL, and the Cleveland Barons were one of the few squads to take on one of the powerful Eastern Bloc clubs. You can read all about it here.

The voting for the Seals Hall of Fame is now closed, and the winners will be announced in two weeks, so be sure to come back to see if your favorites made their way in. Also, there will be a special induction, but you’ll have to come back July 12 to find out who and what I’m talking about.

Until next time, stay gold!

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another Golden Seals Hockey update. Subscriber Sante Debacco contacted the site recently with some interesting Seals facts many people have probably forgotten or were not aware of at all. Here is part of the e-mail Sante sent me:

A while back I read somewhere that the NHL used to schedule regular season games on Christmas Day (why I am writing about Christmas this time of year I don’t know). Anyway, the last year the NHL scheduled games on Christmas was the ‘71-‘72 season. My first season as a fan. So I researched into this a little further and guess what I found?? The Seals played on Christmas Day: Saturday, December 25th, 1971, against the Kings in Los Angeles! The Seals won the game, 3 to 1. The Seals are the last team in NHL history to win a regular season game on Christmas. Note that other NHL games were already over with by the time the Seals / Kings game was in the books. Stan Gilbertson is the last player in NHL history to score a goal on Christmas. He scored an empty net goal at 19:42 of the 3rd period to give the Seals a 3 to 1 victory. Gilles Meloche is the last goalie to win a game on Christmas, and the last fight on Christmas was between Ernie Hicke and Jean Potvin at 2:04 of the 1st period. What an amazing piece of trivia… The Seals really are famous. I’m proud to still be a fan!

Great pieces of trivia! But now we have to get to the not-so-great, and that would be this week’s Overexposed… pog? Yup, this week we dive head first into the world of pog, that overpriced cardboard coin fad that was all the rage for about six weeks in the early 1990s. What makes this week’s pog “not-so-great”, you ask? You’ll have to head on over to the Overexposed section to find out for yourself, but I can tell you for sure that it has something to do with the exaggerated use of sports terms we often take for granted. Think you know what a hockey “legend”? If you’re reading this now, and you were responsible in any way for this week’s pog, you most definitely have NO idea what the word means.

There is also a new article for you to read this week, this time featuring Wayne Merrick and the 1975-76 Golden Seals. Ah, January 1976 was a GREAT time to be a Seals fan. For the first time ever, the Seals put together a truly dominant stretch, a 7-1-1 mark that started on January 2nd and ended on the 25th. For the first time since 1972, the Seals actually had a realistic shot at the playoffs and looked to be gunning for their first-ever .500 season. Merrick went so far as to exclaim, “We’re going to make it this year.” Unfortunately, the team went into its usual late-season tailspin and ended up missing the dance by 18 points, but for a very brief period, it was indeed good to be a Seals fan.

One last reminder that the voting for the Seals Hall of Fame inductions will conclude in exactly one week. June 28 will be the last day to cast your vote, and the new inductees will be announced two weeks later, so if you haven’t done your Seals civic duty yet, you had better get crackin’.

Until next time, stay gold!