1970–71 California Golden Seals season

NHL season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1970–71 1970 California Golden SealsBay Area Seals / California Golden Seals West 7th 20–53–5 17–21–1 3–32–4 199 320 Frank Selke Jr.Bill TorreyFred Glover Fred Glover Ted HampsonCarol Vadnais Bill HickeBert MarshallEarl Ingarfield Oakland Coliseum Arena 5,358 Ernie Hicke (22) Dennis Hextall (31) Dennis Hextall (52) Dennis Hextall (217) Gary Smith (19) Gary Smith (3.86) 1969–70 1971–72 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 teamCharlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.201, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, 978-0-8027-1745-0 in the offseason for approximately $4,500,000. He announced a name change in which his team would be called the Bay Area Seals. On October 16, after the first two games of the season, Finley changed the name once again. The team became known as the 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. 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 finished the season with an NHL-worst record of 20-53-5 (45 points). It was the worst season in their history up to that point in time, and the 53 losses set an NHL record (since surpassed).Currier 2017 146 The Seals record was worse than both of the two expansion teams that season, the Buffalo Sabres and the Vancouver Canucks. On May 22, 1970, The Seals made a trade with the Montreal Canadiens that would come back to haunt the franchise for the rest of their existence. In the trade, the Seals sent defenseman Francois Lacombe along with their first round draft pick in 1971 to the Montreal Canadiens for Ernie Hicke and Montreal's first round pick. Since the Seals finished with the NHL's worst record that season, that gave the Canadiens the first overall pick in the 1971 draft which they used to select future hall of famer Guy Lafleur. Captain Ted Hampson was traded to the Minnesota North Stars late in the season, and was replaced by Carol Vadnais. 2 Offseason Amateur draft 1970 NHL amateur draft Round Pick Player Nationality College/junior/club team110.Chris OddleifsonCanadaWinnipeg Jets (WCHL)219.Pete Laframboise CanadaOttawa 67's (OHA)333.Randy Rota CanadaCalgary Centennials (WCHL)447.Ted McAneeley CanadaEdmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)561.Ray Gibbs CanadaCharlottetown (Senior)675.Doug Moyes CanadaSorel Black Hawks (QMJHL)788.Terry Murray CanadaOttawa 67's (OHA)8100.Alan Henry CanadaUniversity of North Dakota (NCAA) Regular season Standings CAL Record vs. opponents CAL Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#00965E 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFC72C 5px solid; 1970–71 regular season1970-71 California Golden Seals Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/CGS/1971_games.html Hockey-Reference.com March 23, 2025 y background:#fff; border-top:#00965E 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFC72C 2px solid; October Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |1||L||October 10, 1970||3–5 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1970–71) ||0–1–0 |- |2||L||October 11, 1970||1–5 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1970–71) ||0–2–0 |- |3||L||October 16, 1970||1–5 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1970–71) ||0–3–0 |- |4||L||October 17, 1970||1–6 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1970–71) ||0–4–0 |- |5||L||October 20, 1970||1–2 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1970–71) ||0–5–0 |- |6||T||October 21, 1970||2–2 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1970–71) ||0–5–1 |- |7||L||October 23, 1970||1–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1970–71) ||0–6–1 |- |8||T||October 25, 1970||2–2 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1970–71) ||0–6–2 |- |9||L||October 28, 1970||2–3 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1970–71) ||0–7–2 |- |10||W||October 30, 1970||6–1 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1970–71) ||1–7–2 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00965E 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFC72C 2px solid; November Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |11||W||November 4, 1970||3–1 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1970–71) ||2–7–2 |- |12||W||November 6, 1970||8–4 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1970–71) ||3–7–2 |- |13||W||November 11, 1970||2–0 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1970–71) ||4–7–2 |- |14||L||November 13, 1970||2–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1970–71) ||4–8–2 |- |15||L||November 14, 1970||1–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1970–71) ||4–9–2 |- |16||W||November 15, 1970||2–1 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1970–71) ||5–9–2 |- |17||L||November 17, 1970||1–5 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1970–71) ||5–10–2 |- |18||L||November 19, 1970||2–6 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1970–71) ||5–11–2 |- |19||L||November 21, 1970||3–5 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1970–71) ||5–12–2 |- |20||L||November 22, 1970||0–9 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1970–71) ||5–13–2 |- |21||L||November 25, 1970||1–3 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1970–71) ||5–14–2 |- |22||L||November 27, 1970||2–3 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1970–71) ||5–15–2 |- |23||W||November 29, 1970||2–1 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1970–71) ||6–15–2 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00965E 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFC72C 2px solid; December Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |24||L||December 2, 1970||2–3 || align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1970–71) ||6–16–2 |- |25||L||December 4, 1970||0–4 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1970–71) ||6–17–2 |- |26||W||December 9, 1970||6–1 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1970–71) ||7–17–2 |- |27||L||December 11, 1970||1–2 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1970–71) ||7–18–2 |- |28||L||December 12, 1970||2–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1970–71) ||7–19–2 |- |29||W||December 16, 1970||4–2 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1970–71) ||8–19–2 |- |30||W||December 18, 1970||1–0 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1970–71) ||9–19–2 |- |31||W||December 20, 1970||7–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1970–71) ||10–19–2 |- |32||W||December 22, 1970||5–2 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1970–71) ||11–19–2 |- |33||L||December 26, 1970||3–9 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1970–71) ||11–20–2 |- |34||L||December 29, 1970||2–3 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1970–71) ||11–21–2 |- |35||L||December 30, 1970||1–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1970–71) ||11–22–2 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00965E 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFC72C 2px solid; January Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |36||L||January 2, 1971||3–5 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1970–71) ||11–23–2 |- |37||L||January 3, 1971||2–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1970–71) ||11–24–2 |- |38||W||January 6, 1971||6–3 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1970–71) ||12–24–2 |- |39||L||January 9, 1971||3–5 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1970–71) ||12–25–2 |- |40||L||January 10, 1971||4–7 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1970–71) ||12–26–2 |- |41||L||January 12, 1971||2–8 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1970–71) ||12–27–2 |- |42||T||January 13, 1971||1–1 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1970–71) ||12–27–3 |- |43||W||January 15, 1971||3–1 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1970–71) ||13–27–3 |- |44||L||January 17, 1971||1–3 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1970–71) ||13–28–3 |- |45||L||January 20, 1971||2–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1970–71) ||13–29–3 |- |46||W||January 22, 1971||5–2 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1970–71) ||14–29–3 |- |47||L||January 24, 1971||3–5 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1970–71) ||14–30–3 |- |48||W||January 27, 1971||6–2 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1970–71) ||15–30–3 |- |49||L||January 29, 1971||2–4 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1970–71) ||15–31–3 |- |50||L||January 31, 1971||1–7 || align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1970–71) ||15–32–3 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00965E 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFC72C 2px solid; February Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |51||L||February 3, 1971||1–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1970–71) ||15–33–3 |- |52||L||February 5, 1971||2–3 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1970–71) ||15–34–3 |- |53||L||February 7, 1971||2–5 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1970–71) ||15–35–3 |- |54||W||February 10, 1971||5–1 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1970–71) ||16–35–3 |- |55||L||February 12, 1971||0–3 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1970–71) ||16–36–3 |- |56||L||February 13, 1971||2–5 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1970–71) ||16–37–3 |- |57||L||February 16, 1971||1–5 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1970–71) ||16–38–3 |- |58||L||February 17, 1971||2–3 || align="left"| @ Minnesota North Stars (1970–71) ||16–39–3 |- |59||L||February 19, 1971||0–5 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1970–71) ||16–40–3 |- |60||W||February 20, 1971||5–3 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1970–71) ||17–40–3 |- |61||L||February 24, 1971||2–5 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1970–71) ||17–41–3 |- |62||L||February 26, 1971||1–3 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1970–71) ||17–42–3 |- |63||L||February 28, 1971||3–8 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1970–71) ||17–43–3 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00965E 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFC72C 2px solid; March Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |64||L||March 3, 1971||1–8 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1970–71) ||17–44–3 |- |65||L||March 4, 1971||0–7 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1970–71) ||17–45–3 |- |66||T||March 6, 1971||4–4 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1970–71) ||17–45–4 |- |67||T||March 7, 1971||3–3 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1970–71) ||17–45–5 |- |68||L||March 10, 1971||1–8 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1970–71) ||17–46–5 |- |69||L||March 14, 1971||5–8 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1970–71) ||17–47–5 |- |70||W||March 17, 1971||5–2 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1970–71) ||18–47–5 |- |71||L||March 19, 1971||2–5 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1970–71) ||18–48–5 |- |72||W||March 21, 1971||5–2 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1970–71) ||19–48–5 |- |73||L||March 24, 1971||0–6 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1970–71) ||19–49–5 |- |74||L||March 26, 1971||5–8 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1970–71) ||19–50–5 |- |75||L||March 28, 1971||5–11 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1970–71) ||19–51–5 |- |76||W||March 31, 1971||4–1 || align="left"| Minnesota North Stars (1970–71) ||20–51–5 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00965E 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFC72C 2px solid; April Game Result Date Score Opponent Record |- |77||L||April 2, 1971||2–7 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1970–71) ||20–52–5 |- |78||L||April 3, 1971||4–6 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1970–71) ||20–53–5 |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black Player statistics Skaters Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes     Regular season   Playoffs Player # GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIMDennis Hextall 22 78 21 31 52 217 – – – – –Ernie Hicke 20 78 22 25 47 62 – – – – –Gary Croteau 18 74 15 28 43 12 – – – – –Gerry Ehman 8 78 18 18 36 16 – – – – –Bill Hicke 9 74 18 17 35 41 – – – – –Gary Jarrett 12 75 15 19 34 40 – – – – –Ron Stackhouse 21 78 8 24 32 73 – – – – –Norm Ferguson 17 54 14 17 31 9 – – – – –Ted Hampson‡ 10 60 10 20 30 14 – – – – –Carol Vadnais 5 42 10 16 26 91 – – – – –Don O'Donoghue 11 43 11 9 20 10 – – – – –Tom Williams† 26 18 7 10 17 8 – – – – –Doug Roberts 2 78 4 13 17 94 – – – – –Tony Featherstone 16 67 8 8 16 44 – – – – –Joe Hardy 14 40 4 10 14 31 – – – – –Wayne Muloin‡ 4 66 0 14 14 32 – – – – –Earl Ingarfield 7 49 5 8 13 4 – – – – –Dick Mattiussi 6 67 3 8 11 38 – – – – –Harry Howell‡ 3 28 0 9 9 14 – – – – –Bert Marshall 19 32 2 6 8 48 – – – – –Dick Redmond† 4 11 2 4 6 12 – – – – –Paul Andrea‡ 23 9 1 0 1 2 – – – – –Mike Laughton 15 25 1 0 1 2 – – – – –Gary Smith 1 71 0 1 1 6 – – – – –Bob Sneddon 30 5 0 0 0 0 – – – – –Chris Worthy 30 11 0 0 0 2 – – – – –Hilliard Graves 23 14 0 0 0 0 – – – – –Barry Boughner 24 16 0 0 0 9 – – – – – †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     Regular season   Playoffs Player # GP TOI W L T GA SO GAA GP TOI W L GA SO GAAGary Smith 1 71 3975 19 48 4 256 2 3.86 – – – – – – -.--Chris Worthy 30 11 480 1 3 1 39 0 4.87 – – – – – – -.--Bob Sneddon 30 5 225 0 2 0 21 0 5.60 – – – – – – -.-- Awards and records Gary Smith, most losses by a goaltender in one season (48)National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2006, p. 188, Dan Diamond & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 0-920445-98-5. Transactions The Seals were involved in the following transactions during the 1970–71 season: Trades May 22, 1970 To Oakland Seals Dennis Hextall To Montreal Canadiens cash May 22, 1970 To Oakland Seals Ernie Hicke1st round pick in 1970 (Chris Oddleifson) To Montreal Canadiens Francois Lacombe1st round pick in 1971 (Guy Lafleur) October, 1970 To California Golden Seals cash To Phoenix Roadrunners (WHL) Gerry Odrowski February 5, 1971 To California Golden Seals cash To Los Angeles Kings Harry Howell March 7, 1971 To California Golden Seals Dick RedmondTom Williams To Minnesota North Stars Ted HampsonWayne Muloin Additions and subtractions Additions Player Former team Via Bob Sneddon Los Angeles Kings Reverse draft (1970–06) Gary Croteau Detroit Red Wings Intra-league draft (1970–06–09) Paul Andrea Vancouver Canucks Intra-league draft (1970–06–09) Hilliard Graves Charlottetown Islanders (PEI Jr.) free agency (1970–10) Subtractions Player New team Via Bob Dillabough Vancouver Canucks Expansion draft (1970–06–10) Charlie Hodge Vancouver Canucks Expansion draft (1970–06–10) Howie Menard Buffalo Sabres Expansion draft (1970–06–10) Brian Perry Buffalo Sabres Expansion draft (1970–06–10) Paul Andrea Buffalo Sabres waivers (1970–11–04) September 2008 References Golden Seals on Hockey Database Golden Seals on Database Hockey Bibliography Currier Steve The California Golden Seals: A Tale of White Skates, Red Ink, and One of the NHL's Most Outlandish Teams University of Nebraska Press Lincoln, Nebraska 2017 978-0-8032-8848-5 Category:California Golden Seals seasons Cali Calif Calif Category:1970s in Oakland, California