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Expansion in the Bay Area
In 1966, the NHL announced that six expansion teams would be added as a new division for the 1967 – 1968 season, officially because of a general desire to expand the league to new markets, but just as importantly to squelch the Western Hockey League’s threat to turn into a major league. The San Francisco Seals were one such team ...
History of the Seals
The California Golden Seals were an ice hockey team that played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967 to 1976. The franchise was originally established as the California Seals in 1960 and moved to Oakland, California, where they became known as the Oakland Seals before changing their name to the Golden Seals for their final season of play. During this time, they were part of both expansion teams and existing franchises within the NHL's West Division.
Though initially successful during its first few years with players such as Charlie Simmer and Gilles Meloche leading them on offense, by the 1971–72 season attendance had dropped significantly due to increasing competition from other professional sports teams in San Francisco Bay Area markets like baseball’s Giants or basketball’s Warriors. This combined with financial mismanagement led them into a downward spiral which eventually forced them out of business after nine seasons when owner Barry Shenkarow sold his interest back to the NHL for $6 million dollars at the conclusion of the 1975-76 campaign - ending what would be the one most tumultuous period's league history ever seen any single organization go through over short span time only nine years long!
Ultimately despite some success early on including making playoffs three times between 1969-70 and 1972-73 campaigns ultimately did not have enough staying power to remain competitive against larger market rivals around the area nor could it overcome internal issues plaguing the ownership group which resulted in an ultimate demise shortly thereafter end 1975/1976 season; marking end era perhaps best remembered its colorful uniforms featuring bright yellow color scheme along logo depicting seal balancing hockey stick atop puck while wearing skates!
Golden Seals Products
Established
1967
City
San Francisco – Cleveland – Bloomington – Dallas
League History
1967 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1993 – Present / Dallas Stars
1967 – 1993 / Minnesota North Stars
1976 – 1978 / Cleveland Barons
1970 – 1976 / California Golden Seals
1967 – 1970 / Oakland Seals
1967 / California Seals
Nickname
Golden Seals – Sports fans of the NHL may be familiar with the California Golden Seals, a team that played in the league from 1967 to 1976. The name “Golden Seals” was chosen by co-owner Barry Van Gerbig, who wanted something that would reflect his hometown of San Francisco and its surrounding area. He decided on "Seals" as an homage to all the marine mammals found along California's coastline and "Golden" for its connection to nearby goldfields and their bright yellow color scheme.
The original logo featured a seal balancing a hockey stick on its nose while wearing skates – which has become one of hockey's most iconic logos! This design was inspired by another local icon: San Francisco's famous sea lion named Caesar at Aquatic Park Pier 39. In fact, during some home games at Oakland Coliseum Arena (the Golden Seals' home venue), authentic live seals were brought in to perform during intermission!
Though they only lasted nine seasons in the NHL before moving down south and becoming part of what is now known today as the Dallas Stars franchise, there is no denying how much impact this beloved Bay Area team had on sports culture over those years – not just through their nickname but also through their unique style uniforms featuring two shades yellow combined with white accents throughout it all!
Championship
Stanley Cup 0
1999
Arena
2001 – Present / American Airlines Center
1993 – 2001 / Reunion Arena
*Bloomington*
1967 – 1993 / Met Center
*Richfield*
1976 – 1978 / Richfield Coliseum
*Oakland*
1967 – 1976 / Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
Owner
2011 – Present / Tom Gaglardi
1995 – 2011 / Tom Hicks
1991 – 1995 / Norman Green
1989 – 1991 / Howard Baldwin and Morris Belzberg
1967 – 1989 / Walter Bush, Jr. and John Driscoll
1976 – 1978 / Melvin Swig and George Gund III
1970 – 1975 / Melvin Swig (California Golden Seals)
1967 – 1970 / Barry Van Gerbig (California Seals)
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
7 / Neal Broten
8 / Bill Goldsworthy
9 / Mike Modano
19 / Bill Masterton
26 / Jere Lehtinen
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history
