Hi everyone! I hope you’ve all had a great week and are taking advantage of some down time this weekend. I’ve been with the kids most of the week as my wife is working the day shift at the hospital. We’ve had the opportunity to do lots of swimming courtesy of some neighbours who have been out of town on vacation. As someone who works in a basement all day long, I got more sun this week than at any other time over the last twelve months, not to mention a couple of good sun burns, but it’s been worth it. It’s been so nice that it came as a bit of a shock when my wife announced to the kids that they would be going back to school in five weeks. Yes, September is just around the corner, and it will be a trying time for anyone with kids. Or anyone who has any hockey aspirations whatsoever…

This week, we’re going back to late September 1969, as the Seals are smack dab in the middle of their exhibition schedule. Difficult decisions needed to be make and not everyone was guaranteed a spot with the big club. It must be incredibly stressful for any player who is either barely old enough to play in the NHL or almost too old to hang onto a job. Training camp must be hell for all those who are only marginally talented and who never know if another paycheque will be coming, and if it does, will it have the extra zeroes that come with an NHL contract, or will it be a little light because it is signed by a minor-league general manager. This week’s article, from the Oakland Tribune‘s Spence Conley, takes stock of where the 1969-70 Seals were at as the exhibition schedule got under way. There was much optimism in the Seals’ camp, obviously, as the team was coming off a strong second-place finish, but a lot of question marks as well. You can read this week’s article right here.

Next week, I won’t be updating the site as I will be away for the long weekend, so I hope you all enjoy the rest of July, and that the summer weather holds up so that you can take advantage of some outdoor fun. Until next time, stay gold!