Trisha Shetty (Editor)

1970–71 California Golden Seals season

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Division
  
7th West

Goals for
  
199

Coach
  
Fred Glover

1970–71 record
  
20–53–5

Goals against
  
320

General Manager
  
Frank Selke Jr. Bill Torrey Fred Glover

The 1970–71 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' fourth in the NHL, but their first as the Golden Seals. Oakland Athletics owner Charlie O. Finley bought the team in the offseason for approximately $4,500,000. He announced that the name of the team was being changed to Bay Area Seals, but two games into the season changed it again to California Golden Seals, in an attempt to draw fans from across the state of California, in particular from nearby San Francisco. Along with the name change came new green and gold colours, and a new logo and uniforms.

Contents

Several other changes occurred in the Seals' front office after Finley bought the team. Unhappy, General Manager Frank Selke Jr. quit in October 1970. His replacement, Bill Torrey, lasted only a month before resigning himself. Coach Fred Glover took over the responsibilities of General Manager after Torrey's departure in November.

Amidst the shake-up of the Seals from a business point of view the on-ice performance of the team suffered greatly. The team won only 20 games, and had but 45 points, last in the NHL. It was the worst season in their history up to that point in time.

Captain Ted Hampson was traded to the Minnesota North Stars late in the season, and was replaced by Carol Vadnais.

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Seals. Stats reflect time with the Seals only. ‡Traded mid-season

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; TOI= Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Transactions

The Seals were involved in the following transactions during the 1970–71 season:

Awards and records

  • Gary Smith, most losses by a goaltender in one season (48)
  • References

    1970–71 California Golden Seals season Wikipedia