Hi everyone! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week. I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to itch for some hockey right about now. It’s only the middle of August and training camps don’t open for another month or so, which means I’m chomping at the bit right now. All I can do to pass the time until the first puck drop is dive into things like this site, look for great deals on vintage hockey cards on eBay, and crack open a book hoping to gain some insight on something sports related, or… related to anything really. I just want my hockey back is all I’m saying. And no, sorry to all you patriotic types out there, the Olympics just ain’t gonna cut it either. Sure, I can sit down and watch an afternoon of track and field, judo, or basketball, but it just ain’t the same as an NHL game. Going to the beach, visiting family and friends, and playing mini-golf has been nice, but sometimes you just need a good old hockey game. So, if you’re feeling the same mid-summer blahs that I am, I hope this week’s update will provide some good cheer, at least for a little while.

To continue with our recent focus on the Seals’ training camp and pre-season performances, we are heading back to September 1973, as the team was looking to put its stinker 1972-73 season behind them. The Seals held their training camp in Kingston, Ontario, home to my alma mater, Queen’s University. I love Kingston for its old-timey vibe, its waterfront, and Princess Street, which when I was there, was home to more used CD and video game stores that you could shake a stick at. Not sure how the place has changed since then since I’ve only been to Kingston a handful of times in the last twenty years, but I’m sure the heart of downtown still beats vibrantly. The old arena is only a few blocks from where I used to live, and that’s where the Seals used to play some of their pre-season games. Had I known that at the time, I probably would have visited the place to do a little research and even visit the Hockey Hall of Fame located in the same building (don’t quote me on that exactly…). This week, I’ve posted an article detailing two pre-season games played in Kingston, one a win lopsided win, one a demoralizing loss. You can read all about the games right here.

I’ll be taking off for a one-week vacation with the family next weekend, so there won’t be an update for a little while, so until next time, stay gold!