Hi everyone!  June 6, marks the 50th anniversary of the first modern-day NHL expansion draft, hence, the day the major-league California Seals were born.  On that day, the Seals drafted what many experts believed was the best of the six new NHL franchises, and, at the time, it would be difficult to argue with that opinion.  After all, the Seals began the draft by selecting former two-time Vezina Trophy winner Charlie Hodge to tend goal.  The Seals concentrated on defense during the first few rounds of the draft, picking up solid veterans Bobby Baun, Larry Cahan, and Kent Douglas.  That was a pretty good top three.  On offense, choices were more limited, but with Billy Harris and Bill Hicke leading the way, there was potential for a couple of twenty-goal seasons.  Other than that, big names were few and far between among California’s draft choices, but Wally Boyer ended up scoring 13 goals and 33 points, Tracy Pratt would enjoy a 580-game NHL career, Mike Laughton would score 20 goals as a rookie the following year, and Bryan Hextall would finish his career with 549 games under his belt, so give Bert Olmstead, Bob Wilson, and Rudy Pilous credit for identifying players who would at least remain in the big leagues long after expansion.  J.P. Parise proved to be the best of the little-known players drafted.  He would end up with 594 in a successful 894-game career that included two all-star games and an appearance in the 1972 Summit Series.  Unfortunately, Bert Olmstead insulted his French-Canadian heritage during one pre-season game, and Parise told him off.  It was the Seals’ loss, but eventually (after a short detour in Toronto) Minnesota’s gain  Whatever the reason, the Seals never quite gelled that first year, and by season two, only a handful of players from the expansion draft remained.

Today, we celebrate one of the most significant moments in NHL history by featuring not one, not two, but three new additions to the Overexposed wing of the Hockey Hall of Shame.  All cards this week come from the 1968-69 O-Pee-Chee set, featuring players who played on the West Division’s brand new clubs.  The first card features the Seals’ Bill Hicke.  The second card is of Hall-of-Famer Allan Stanley as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.  The final induction this week is of the St. Louis Blues’ Ab McDonald in one of the stupidest excuses for a hockey card.

Also be sure to check out a few new articles from the Seals’ inaugural NHL season.  These articles are about the Seals’ little-known Helmet Line, which consisted of Charlie Burns, and rookies George Swarbrick and Mike Laughton.  On the night of November 7, 1967, Laughton scored his first NHL goal, and Swarbrick was in the midst of a mini hot streak.  You’ll also find out what the term “El Foldo” apparently means.  Care to take a guess?  Head on over to the Articles section to read these rare gems!

There’s only one month left until the 2017 Seals Hall-of-Fame survey ends, so cast your vote before it’s too late!  The survey can be found on the right-hand side of the page.  The new inductees will be announced at the time of Golden Seals Hockey’s one-year anniversary.

Until next time, stay gold!