Hi everyone! Max and Doug, Bobby and Dennis, Maurice and Henri, Frank and Peter, Henrik and Daniel; the number of brother combos to have graced NHL ice is indeed a long one. What I find surprising is just how many brother duos have played on the same team at the same time. Indeed, all of the aforementioned brothers played together for long stretches, and many of them captured Stanley Cups together as well. Brothers have played a big role in the history of professional hockey, and the Seals are no exception. Bill Hicke and his younger brother Ernie played just one season together, but they made the most of their time together, engaging in a playful competition to see who could score the most goals.

This week, we are going back to the dying days of 1970. The Seals have just won four in a row for the second time that season, and the dressing room has become a fun and loose environment. Winning can have that kind of effect on a team. The Seals, as you know, didn’t have a lot of moments when they could brag about being on a hot streak. I imagine the Seals’ dressing room being a pretty dour place most of the time, but certainly not on December 23, 1970. The Hicke brothers were needling each other about which of their lines was the most effective. Unfortunately, the atmosphere in Sealsland quickly changed for the worse, and the team won just nine more games the rest of the way. This week’s article, a great piece from John Porter of the Oakland Tribune, captures the Seals in one of those very rare moments when everyone on the team was jubilant and looking forward to the next game because they felt that victory was well within their grasp.

Have yourselves a great weekend and, if you can, enjoy the last remnants of summer! Until next time, stay gold!