Hi everyone! The NHL pre-season is finally under way and my beloved Habs actually don’t look completely useless! Pretty nice win over New Jersey earlier in the week, and an impressive performance versus Washington on Thursday, so I’m happy. I don’t imagine this trend will continue, but after Vegas’s crazy first season, where absolutely everyone in the business of predicting hockey futures believed they were going to finish dead last, I have a hard time doubting anything anymore.

In honour of this year’s pre-season, this week, I’ve added Argosy‘s 1975-76 California Golden Seals team preview. Like the Vegas Golden Knights 42 years later, the 1975-76 Seals were also not expected to do much of anything. If it wasn’t for the expansion Kansas City Scouts and Washington Capitals, most experts would have probably picked the Seals to finish dead last, but the Seals were definitely heading in the right direction. 1975-76 would actually end up being one of their best seasons ever thanks to a bumper crop of rookies and sophomore stars, not to mention some rock-solid goaltending, a new and inspiring coach, and the promise of a new arena across the Bay.

The other new addition to the site this week is a lovely shot of San Jose Sharks legend Joe Thornton long before he became known for sporting the best beard this side of ZZ Top. I don’t have to tell you by now that it is a picture that will likely leave you with nightmares, but hey, we all need a reason to get up in the middle night in a cold sweat with a rapidly beating heart begging to leap out of your rib cage, right?

In case any of you are going to be in the Ottawa area October 14, I will be at the Walkley Arena/Jim Durrell Sports Complex from 10-3 selling and signing copies of my book as well as a few other articles I’ve written. I’ll be the one wearing the 1974-75 Seals jersey, so I’ll be hard to miss.

If you haven’t done so already, don’t be shy about spreading the word about Golden Seals Hockey! Tell your friends and colleagues who remember the Seals that they are still alive and well. Tell your friends about the Hockey Hall of Shame, the Overexposed wing, and our very special Hockeywood Disasterpieces.

Until next time, stay gold!