The Associated Press reported that the president of the Western Hockey League's Spokane Comets, Melvin Smith, said there was discussion at the league's meetings in Seattle of moving his team to either San Francisco or Los Angeles.

WHL Franchise Moves?

The Associated Press reported that the Western Hockey League would consider the relocation of one or more franchises to either Los Angeles or San Francisco at the league meetings in Seattle on the 13th. Melvin Smith, president of the Spokane Comets, said his team wasn't getting enough fan support and needed to move. The Victoria and Winnipeg teams were also considering a transfer.

San Francisco Chronicle

“SF, LA Bid for Ice Team,” AP, 26

Relocation tabled

The constituent members of the Western Hockey League gathered in Seattle to discuss various matters. They were expected to discuss the possible relocation of a franchise to either Los Angeles or San Francisco, or possibly both, but never got around to it, pushing the matter to the league directors' meeting on the 22nd.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Hockey Club Set for SF,” AP, 49

San Francisco Examiner

“The Little Headlines,” 53

San Francisco Chronicle

“Haines Will Head Swim Clinic Today,” 30

No Expansion News

Previous reports suggested the WHL was considering the relocation of one or more franchises to California, but the current reports suggested it might be an expansion instead. In any event, no action was taken today, on the first day of league meetings in Vancouver.

Franchise Awarded

At a meeting in Vancouver, the Western Hockey League announced they would add San Francisco as an expansion team for the 1961-62 season. The owner of the new team would be Vancouver hotel magnate Coleman "Coley" Hall. Hall had previously owned a loop team based in his hometown. The new team was expected to play in the Cow Palace, though a contract would have to be negotiated.

Los Angeles was getting a team, too, as the Victoria franchise announced they would relocate there.

Western Hockey League franchise awarded

Coley Hall, owner

San Francisco Chronicle

“No Action Taken on Hockey in SF,” UPI, 42

San Francisco Examiner

“West Ice Loop Stalls Expansion,” UPI, 3-9

San Francisco Chronicle

“SF, LA Get Hockey Franchises,” 43, 46

San Francisco Examiner

“Hockey Franchise Given SF,” UPI, 58

Hall Bullish on San Francisco Hockey

Despite ice hockey having essentially no history in the city, new WHL franchise owner Coley Hall was enthusiastic about the possible success of his team in San Francisco. He said there were plenty of Americans from the Northeast in the area as well as Canadians who would turn out to see good hockey and thought interest would build from there.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Hall-oo! Anyone for Ice Hockey,” Art Rosenbaum, 37, 41

Players?

New WHL San Francisco franchise president Coley Hall said he had options to the contract rights for several players that would form the beginnings of a roster, but wouldn't say who they were.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Hall Has Nucleus,” UPI, 38

Cow Palace Machinations

Hoping to start play in 1961, new WHL franchise owner Coley Hall offered to pay the $225,000 needed to install an ice surface at the San Francisco Cow Palace, but the facility's directors did not come to a decision on the project after discussing it. They said they would consider it again at a June 13 meeting.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Rink Plans Tabled by Cow Palace,” 38

San Francisco Chronicle

“Rink Key to Hockey Here,” 29

The Chronicle's Art Rosenbaum said a major factor in the Cow Palace directors' uncertainty about moving forward with the installation of ice sheet making equipment in time for the 1961-62 WHL season was that the arena would have to be closed for six weeks during the work and wouldn't be able to generate any revenue over that period.

San Francisco Chronicle

“How Willie Mays Steals into Home,” Art Rosenbaum, 29, 31

The Cow Palace directors approved a contract that would provide a rink for the Western Hockey League's new San Francisco entry in the fall. The plan was now in the hands of team president Coley Hall who would have to give his approval to finalize the deal.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Cow Palace Approves Ice Plan,” 47

San Francisco Examiner

“Cow Palace Clears Way for '61 Hockey,” 53

Hall Is In

Coley Hall, owner of the new WHL San Francisco franchise, reached an agreement with the San Francisco Cow Palace on a five-year deal for his time to play hockey in that facility. Hall was expected to seek out partners among the local moneyed community to help finance the team. He said the top ticket price would be $3.50 and that the team needed to draw an average of 3,200 fans to home game to break even.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Agreement Will Be Signed Today,” 31

San Francisco Chronicle

“Ice Hockey 'Sure' This Winter,” 29, 35

San Francisco Examiner

“Hockey Impresario Closes Palace Pact,” 3-3

Prexy Happy

WHL president Al Leader happy to see agreement between Coley Hall and Cow Palace.

Not So Fast

Apparently, not all was complete with the Cow Palace deal, it was explained later in the day. Leader said Hall had four days to figure out his finances with regard to the arena or the team wouldn't be allowed to play until 1962-63.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Aussies Favored at Wimbledon,” 44

San Francisco Chronicle

“SF Hockey Decision Delayed,” AP, 41

San Francisco Examiner

“SF Hockey Up in Air Again,” AP 48

Hall Comes Through

After several days of uncertainty, the WHL again confirmed that new owner Coley Hall had firmed up an agreement with the Cow Palace to install ice sheet making equipment and enable hockey to be played there in 1961.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Hockey Here by Fall Is Assured,” 27

San Francisco Examiner

“Five-Year Ice Hockey Pact Set,” 36

Papers Signed

The final formalities were observed and San Francisco would have a Western Hockey League team in the fall. Team president Coley Hall said he had hired an architect to design the ice sheet making system for the Cow Palace. He also said he had working agreements with the NHL Bruins and Maple Leafs for the possible purchase of contracts of up to a dozen players. Play would begin in the Cow Palace on November 12, slightly more than a month after the October 11 start of the regular season. Estimates of the total operating cost for the first season, including the work at the Cow Palace, ran to about $500,000.

San Francisco Chronicle

“SF Ice Debut on Nov 12,” 37, 41

San Francisco Examiner

“Signing Up for Hockey in the Cow Palace Next Fall,” photo, 49
“SF Hockey Can't Miss,” 49

Contest Announced

The team announced a contest to give the team a nickname. Participants were instructed to submit their choice by August 10. San Francisco mayor George Christopher was to head committee of local sports journalists and other bigwigs to make the decision, with the winner getting a trip for two to a game in Los Angeles.

San Francisco Examiner

“Name the Team Contest Set for Hockey Club,” 53

Coach and GM Hired

The still-unnamed team filled two major positions, naming mayoral assistant Joseph Allen as general manager and former Red Wings center Max McNab as head coach and assistant GM. In the reporting of the story, a number of team partners were identified as owning minority shares of the team. President Coley Hall owned a 50% share and control of the team.

Hired

Joseph Allen, general manager
Max McNab, head coach

Only mention

Victor Atkins, partner
Ross Chamberlain, partner

Earliest mention

Richard Goldman, partner
Charles Greenstone, partner
Peter Haas, partner
Robert MacKenzie, partner
Henry Rolph, partner

Team Colors

Chronicle writer Art Rosenbaum said the team's colors would be blue and gold and that the team had already received more than 400 entries in its team naming contest.

San Francisco Chronicle

“22-Hour-a-Day Man New SF Hockey GM,” Art Rosenbaum, 35, 38 photo, 38

San Francisco Examiner

“Ice Club Grabs Mayor's Aide,” 51

San Francisco Chronicle

“Hockey Contest Panel Announced,” 39

San Francisco Examiner

“Hockey Name Picking Test Deadline Near,” 53

Deadline Extended

Club officials pushed the nickname contest deadline out a week because some of the principals were out of town. They also added the option of an expensive wrist watch as an alternative prize to the all-expenses paid trip to Los Angeles for the team's opener. Futhermore, all contestants were to receive a pair of tickets to a home game.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Ice Hockey Name Pick Is Extended,” 44

Prediction

Prescott Sullivan of the Examiner said the smart betting money was on Seals for the team's nickname.

San Francisco Examiner

“Every Reader Is His Own Columnist,” Prescott Sullivan, 51, 55
“Hockey Club Nickname Deadline Next Tuesday,” 56

San Francisco Examiner

“Hockey Name Contest Closes,” 52

Who's a Seal?

The Chronicle's Art Rosenbaum thinks the Seals nickname is a shoe-in for the new hockey team, but there's a local roller derby team that says they'll fight them for it.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals on Skates–One Way or Another,” 27, 31

Seals It Is

As predicted in several quarters, the team went with the time-honored Seals as their nickname. Other popular suggestions from the public were Golden Gaters, Penguins, Blades, and Vigilantes. Donald Naify of San Francisco won the prize of a trip for two to the regular season opener in Los Angeles.

San Francisco Examiner

“Sleep Is Short Cut to Winning Golf,” Prescott Sullivan, 49

Not Afraid

The owners of the newly-christened Seals hockey team thumbed their noses at the threat of a lawsuit by the owners of the Bay Bombers roller derby team who claimed prior and exclusive ownership of the San Francisco Seals name.

San Francisco Chronicle

“San Francisco Seals to Flap Again–On Ice,” 41
“Red Sees Movies, Goes on Warpath,” Art Rosenbaum, 41, 42

San Francisco Examiner

“SF Pucksters to Be Known as the Seals,” 48

Well, That Settles It Then

Prescott Sullivan says the Seals nickname is good by him.

San Francisco Examiner

“Yank Ace 'Out' if Series Comes Here,” Prescott Sullivan, 53, 59
“Name of Seals Stirs Up Beef,” 59

Seals Spat

Coley Hall threatened to countersue the Bay Bombers roller derby folks in a dispute over the Seals nickname, claiming the Bombers were just looking for “cheap publicity.”

San Francisco Examiner

“Rig Was Fired When Four Games Behind,” Prescott Sullivan, 55

Another Party Heard From

Curley Grieve found a local plumbing supply salesman, Edward Fadgen, who said both the hockey and roller derby factions were all wet and that the Seals nickname rightly belonged to baseball and no other sport.

San Francisco Examiner

“$5,400 Raincoat for Candlestick Infield,” Curley Grieve, 33, 35

Bullish on Hockey

The Chron's sports chief Art Rosenbaum says hockey's got a chance in town, despite a lack of big names and the locals' relative unfamiliarity with the sport. He cites the physical nature of the game (if it can work for football!) and the fact that the other cities in the league are filling arenas.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Why SF's New Pro Club Can Succeed,” Art Rosenbaum, 35, 36

Ice Is Expensive

Dick Nolan reported that the bids for putting an ice sheet on the Cow Palace floor were coming in significantly higher than predicted, that is, around $325,000 instead of the $225,000 figure given when the Seals and the arena signed their agreement.

San Francisco Examiner

“The City,” Dick Nolan, 29

The First Players

The Seals signed their first five players, three forwards and two defensemen, including former Red Wings center Dutch Reibel.

Signed

Barney Krake, right winger
Murray McDonald, left winger
Jean-Marc Picard, defenseman
Dutch Reibel, center
Tom Thurlby, defenseman

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Sign First Five Puck Stars,” 44

San Francisco Examiner

“Seal Hockey Club Signs First 5 Men,” 50

Ice Equipment Installation Underway

General manager Joseph Allen said the installation of the ice making equipment at the Cow Palace would by done by the end of October and was now estimated to cost about $250,000.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Palace Ice Rink Is Costly,” 37 “Work continues at a rapid pace…,” photo, 37

PR Firm Hired

The Seals hired the public relations firm Graham Kislingbury of San Francisco.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Executives Set Lunch Honoring Joseph Allen,” 36
“Big Food Account for SF Agency,” Roy Gilligan,“ 51

Training Camp Opens

The Seals opened training camp for 25 players in Chilliwack, British Columbia. According to president Coley Hall, 11 of the players had professional experience, while the remaining 14 were amateurs from whom the team hoped to cull one or two for their regular season roster.

First mention

Buddy Boone, right winger
Floyd Hillman, defenseman
Nick Mickoski, right winger
Harry Pidhirny, center
Gord Redahl, forward

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Open Ice Training,” AP, 45

San Francisco Examiner

“Hockey Seals Open Camp,” 51

Finally, a Goalie

The Seals landed their first goaltender, Bev Bentley, in a deal with the Seattle Totems. While the deal was characterized as a contract sale, there remained the possibility that the Seals would send a player to Seattle instead.

And In Business Matters

The team filed articles of incorporation with the State of California. Total capitalization was $25,000 in equity shares of $10 each.

Contract purchased

Bev Bentley, goaltender, from the Totems

San Francisco Examiner

“City Leaders Fete Joe Allen,” 54

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Get Goalie from Seattle Club,” AP, 48

Seals vs the NHL

The Seals fell to the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL, 3-0, in an exhibition contest in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

Cow Palace Controvery

Accusations of self-dealing and political machinations surfaced when the president of the Cow Palace's board of directors, Robert McCarthy, accused fellow director and contractor LC Smith of conflict of interest because Smith's firm was a subcontractor in the project to install a hockey rink. McCarthy ordered Smith to resign from the board, while Smith countered by saying that McCarthy had approved of his participation in the project, until McCarthy's son, Robert McCarthy, Jr., started working on a run for the California governor ship against Democrat incumbent Edmund Brown. Smith was also a Democrat and a friend of Brown's.

San Francisco Examiner

”'Conflict' Row at Cow Palace,“ Joseph Bodovitz, 1, 15

San Francisco Chronicle

“Cow Palace Feud–'Conflict' Denied”, 30

Bentley Hurt in WHL Exhibtion Opener

The Seals played to a 2-2 tie in a WHL exhibition game against the Portland Buckaroos in Chilliwack, British Columbia. San Francisco goaltender Bev Bentley took a skate blade across his left temple, opening a gash that took fifteen stitches to close. He was expected to miss a couple of weeks to heal.

Signed

Duke Edmundson, left winger

Loss in Rematch

The Seals lost to the Portland Buckaroos, 4-3, in a WHL exhibition match in Victoria, British Columbia. Newcomer left winger Duke Edmundson opened the scoring for San Francisco with a first-period goal.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Icemen Play Tie,” 27

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Sign Former NL Rink Star,” Paul Lippman, 38
“Seals Tie, 2-2, with Champions,” 38

First Exhibition Win

With Don Hamilton in goal for the injured Bev Bentley, the Seals beat the Seattle Totems, 2-0, in a WHL exhibition game in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seal Goalie Stops 26 in 2-0 Victory,” UPI, 48

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Face Seattle in Hockey,” 54

Bentley Back Early

The Seals announced that Bev Bentley would be in goal for the team when they opened their inaugural Western Hockey League regular season in Seattle tomorrow night against the Totems. He appearance was a surprise as he had been expected to miss at least another week after suffering a head wound last week.

Released

Murray McDonald, forward
Dutch Reibel, forward

Earliest mention and released

Joe Morneau, right winger

Regular Season Opener

Led by Rudy Filion's hat trick, the Totems thumped the Seals, 8-3, in San Franciso's WHL regular season debut in Seattle.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Open Ice Season at Seattle,” 35, 37

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals' Opener Tonight,” Paul Lippman, 52
“Gordon Redahl,” photo, 52

Earliest mention

Gary Collins, center
Don Hogan, right winger
Pete Lambo, defenseman
Yves Locas, right winger
Al Nicholson, left winger
Bob Solinger, left winger

Late Demise

The Comets scored three third-period goals to beat the Seals, 3-1, in Spokane. Comets defenseman Bill Folk was hospitalized after collapsing on the bench following a blow to his chest while he was on the ice.

Motive Uncertain

Chronicle columnist Art Rosenbaum devoted his piece to a waggish explanation of hockey basics, under the assumption that hockey was an exotic sport to most San Franciscans. Was he being sincere in his silliness or were there multiple levels of irony at play. With newspaper wags it's never easy to tell.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Lose Hockey Opener, 8-3, Art Rosenbaum, 29, 31
“Att'n Fans: Strange New Sport Identified,” Art Rosenbaum, 29, 33
“San Francisco Seals goalie Bev Bentley,” photo, 29

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals First Effort Falls Short, 8-3,” Paul Lippman, 37, 38
“Seals Goalie Bev Bentley”, photo, 38

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Lose to Late Spokane Spree, 3-1,” AP, B

San Francisco Examiner

“Comet Rally Nips Seals,” AP, 3-7

Seals Week Announced

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors designated the week of November 13-18 to be “San Francisco Seals Ice Hockey Week.”

First Win

Buddy Boone, Al Nicholson, and Bob Solinger scored two goals each for the Seals as San Francisco beat the Stampeders, 9-6, in Calgary, to earn their first WHL regular season win.

Gary Collins, center, broken hand, out until November 17

San Francisco Chronicle

“Supervisors' Meeting,” 4

San Francisco Examiner

“What Supervisors Did,” 6

Going to Fist City

The Flyers went on a three-goal tear in the second period to beat the Seals, 4-1, in Edmonton, but the real fun happened in the last minute when both benches cleared for a palate-cleansing brawl.

San Francisco Chronicle

“SF Icemen Score, 9-6, over Calgary,” AP, 45, 50

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Beat Calgary's Icemen,” AP, 53, 57

San Francisco Chronicle

“Edmonton Icemen Drub Seals,” 39, 40

San Francisco Examiner

“Near Riot as Seals Bow, 4-1,” UPI, 53

Twice the Flyers

The Edmonton Flyers beat the Seals for the second time in three days, scoring four second-period goals in a 5-1 win in Edmonton.

Early Report Card

Paul Lippman of the Examiner took a look at the Seals' prospects and liked what he saw. He argued that Coley Hall had done a fine job amassing talent, but that they needed some playing time together to reach their potential as a team. Their one flaw, as he saw it, was a shortage of good zone-clearing defensemen.

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Need 'Policeman',” Paul Lippman, 57

Seals Downed Again

The Stampeders scored four unanswered goals over the second and third periods to beat the Seals, 5-2, in Calgary. If was San Francisco's fifth defeat in six tries.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Flyers Beat Seals,” AP, 29, 30

San Francisco Examiner

“Seal Icemen Bow to Edmonton, 5-1,” AP, 41

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seal Icemen Lose to Calgary, 5-2,” AP, B

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Lose to Calgary,” 3-9

PR on Upswing

Plugging the Seals' home debut next month, general manager Joseph Allen and the mayor's wife Tula smiled together for the cameras as Allen handed her tickets for the contest.

San Francisco Examiner

“Ad Outlay May Double by '70,” Peter De Witt, 59

Seals Losing Streak Reaches Four

Gerry Brisson scored a pair of goals to lead the Comets to a 6-3 win over the Seals in Spokane.

Signings with Fuzzy Details

Looking to improve a unit that had given up 31 goals in six games, the Seals acquired three new defensemen: Hugh Currie by purchase from the Stampeders, Jim Hay from the Los Angeles Blades, and Jim Wilcox from the NHL Maple Leafs. Hay was received from Los Angeles in trade for left winger Real Chevrefils and a player to be named later. Or at least, that's my best guess. Prior to the story of the trade, both Chevrefils and Hay were identified as members of the Blades and at no point was Chevrefils associated with the Seals. Multiple reports said Chevrefils had been signed by the Blades on the 11th. The Examiner reported the trade as described above, but the Chronicle said Hay went to the Blades for Chevrefils. In any event, after this date, Hay was in San Francisco and Chevrefils was in Los Angeles.

Allen Talks to Ad Folk

General manager Joseph Allen was a guest speaker at the offices of the San Francisco Examiner, giving a talk at the weekly meeting of the Classifieds Department. During the talk Allen said, among other things, that the Seals had 32 investors with a share of the team.

Trade

Acquired Hugh Currie, defenseman, from the Stampeders for unknown considerations.
Acquired left winger Jim Hay from the Blades for defenseman Real Chevrefils (maybe, earliest mention of either player).
Acquired defenseman Jim Wilcox from the NHL Maple Leafs for unknown considerations.

Released

John Chasczewski, defenseman (earliest mention of player)

San Francisco Examiner

“Mrs. Christopher Aids Seals' Ticket Drive, 49
“Mayor's Wife Gets First Hockey Ticket,” photo, 49

Look Ma, I'm on TV!

The Seals lost their fourth straight, a 3-1 decision at the hands of the Buckaroos in Portland. It was televised on KTVU, the first of twelve Seals games on TV during the season, with Bud Foster doing the play-by-play.

Coley Says Not to Panic

Coley Hall told the Chronicle's Art Rosenbaum that all would be well soon, that the Seals might come home with a lousy record, but that the good times were on their way with some personnel changes.

Earliest mention

Gordon Turlick, center

San Francisco Chronicle

“Saints Ready with Grand Experiment,” Art Rosenbaum, 39, 42
“Seals' Hockey Game on TV, 42
“Spokane Beats Seal Icemen, 6-3,” AP, 42
“Seals Sign Boston Veteran,” 42

San Francisco Examiner

“SF Will Get First Look at Seals Tonight on TV, 48
“Seals Bow to Spokane,” AP, 48
“Seals Get Three New Defensemen,” 48
“Hockey Fans to Get a Thrill a Minute,” 48

San Francisco Chronicle

“Portland Icemen Beat Seals,” 45, 46

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Lose 3-1 Match to Champs,” 47, 51

Hall Goes Bonkers in Loss

The Seals lost to the Vancouver Canucks, 2-0, in Vancouver, but the game was marked by a bizarre incident in which team owner Coley Hall leaped onto the ice late in the game and accosted referee Scotty Morrison to complain vigorously about what he considered a bad call. The league would later fine Hall $500 for the transgression.

It Gets Worse

In their worst defeat of what was, so far, a dismal inaugural season, the Seals fell to the Totems, 11-1, in Seattle. The Totems scored eight goals in the second period to tie a WHL record.

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Blanked, Angry Owner Chases Referee,” CP, 37

San Francisco Chronicle

“Records Fall as Seals Waxed,” B

San Francisco Examiner

“Totems in 11-1 Win over Seals,” AP, 3-8

San Francisco Chronicle

“SF Almost Gave Pappy Relapse,” AP/UPI, 45

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals' Owner Is Fined $500,” AP, 56

McNab Skeptical

Prescott Sullivan reported that Seals coach Max McNab took his team to task for their poor showing in the team's recent 11-1 to Seattle, accusing them of goldbricking.

New in Town

The Seals front office put out a call for locals to help their players find housing. Following training camp in British Columbia and several weeks of road games to start the season, most of the players had never set foot in the San Francisco area and wouldn't have much time to look for a place between their last road contest on the 11th and the start of their home schedule on the 17th.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Tangle on Ice,” Ken McLaughlin photo, 50

San Francisco Examiner

“Bowlegged Defense Is Coach's Problem,” Prescott Sullivan, 57 “Seals Looking for Homes,” 58

Enlightening the Benighted

The Examiner was running a series of articles written by Paul Lippman designed as a primer for locals who didn't want to look like rubes when the Seals came home later in the month. All very well, except that he described the power play as a late-game tactic of aggression rather than the man advantage during a penalty.

Acquired

Acquired center Jack Martin from the NHL Maple Leafs for unknown considerations
Acquired left winger Tom McCarthy from the NHL Bruins for unknown considerations

“A Lesson in Scoring,” Paul Lippman, 52
“Harry Pidhirny,” photo, 52

Meet the Team

Paul Lippman of the Examiner took a third of a page to flesh out the team, saying Harry Pidhirny and Duke Edmundson were the highest paid centers in the WHL. Pidhirny was a playing assistant coach and the team's captain on the ice. Edmundson, for his part, was missing most of his front teeth and was deemed an excellent penalty killer and puckhandler, and was one of the hardest hitters in the league. Nick Mickoski was the veteran showing the youngsters the ropes. Right winger Buddy Boone was another hard hitter and Bob Solinger was reckoned a fine shooter, as was Al Nicholson. Barney Krake was a youngster with potential and Gord Redahl was pushing 30 with one last chance to use his superior skating to make the big time. Yves Locas was a fine backchecking forward with two-way ability.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Get Two New Players,” 46

San Francisco Examiner

“Centers Put Zing into Seals 'Attack'”, Paul Lippman, 57

Pay to Win

The Seals spotted the Blades a first-period goal, then scored the rest to win a 3-1 contest in Los Angeles. The AP story attributed the win to the fury generated by fines levied president Coley Hall on several unnamed players for “desultory play.”

Defensive Talk

Paul Lippman looked at the Seals back line and decided they were improving, despite an 11-goal debacle against the Comets a few days ago and introduced the players to his readers. Bev Bentley was a Saskatchewan wheat farmer well into his second decade of professional hockey. Jim Hay was the Eddie Stanky of the team, according to Lippman, and a grinder who worked hard to overcome limited talent. Hugh Currie was a respected penalty killer. Tom Thurlby was a two-way playing youngster with speed. Floyd Hillman was known to pull a double shift on the ice now and again without complaint. Jean-Marc Picard was a good shooter and Jim Wilcox was a greenhorn barely out of his teens. Gary Collins was a big hitter, but injury prone.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Appear on TV Tonight,” 32

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Are NOT Bowlegged!,” Paul Lippman, 41
“Seals, Blades in TV Game,” 41

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals, Stung by Fines, Whip LA Blades, 3-1,” AP, B

San Francisco Examiner

“Fines Pay Off with Seals Victory,” AP, 3-8

Fast Start

The Seals scored three goals in the first and held on for a 3-1 victory over the Comets in Spokane.

Blanked

Portland goaltender Bruce Gamble put the cuffs on the Seals in a 3-0 loss to the Buckaroos in Portland.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Strike Early, Beat Spokane, 3-1,” AP, 47, 48

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Clip Spokane by 3 to 1, AP, 51

San Francisco Chronicle

“SF Icemen Beaten, 3-0, by Portland,” AP, 43, 44
“Whitey Ford Honored; Russ Jockey Unharmed,” 45

San Francisco Examiner

“Peninsula Group,” 24
“Buckaroos Whitewash Seals, 3-0,” AP, 57

Representing

Max McNab and Coley Hall were on hand to promote the team at a hockey night dinner at the San Francisco Press Club.

San Francisco Examiner

“Press Club Fete to Honor Seals,” 67

San Francisco Chronicle

“TV Hockey,” 31
“Two Seals,” photo, 32

San Francisco Examiner

“San Francisco Ltd–Slick Start for '62,” 17
“Seals, Blades on TV Tonight,” 43

Seals Not the Worst

In a matchup of last place teams in the WHL Southern Division, the Seals Beat the Blades, 3-2, in overtime, in Los Angeles. Nick Mickoski scored the game-winner 51 seconds into the extra period. After the game, Blades head coach George Agar fined every player on his team, except newcomer Willie O'Ree, $100 for poor play.

More Than Skill

According to Art Rosenbaum's column in the Chronicle, head coach Max McNab said lots of aspiring hockey players had ability, but what set those who made the professional grade apart was “tremendous courage” and “an unshakable attitude”.

Trade

Acquired center Ray Cyr from the Canucks for defenseman Hugh Currie

San Francisco Chronicle

“49er Troika Adds a New Trifoliolate,” Art Rosenbaum, A

It's Official

San Francisco Mayor George Christopher proclaimed the week to come San Francisco Seals Ice Hockey Week.

Brisk Sales

The Chronicle reported that the Seals had sold more than 8,000 tickets for the Cow Palace opener on the 17th. They added that the total was barely half that of the draw for a recent wrestling meet at the venue. Tickets were priced at $2.00 for reserved seats and $1.50 for general admission.

San Francisco Chronicle

“A 'Swan Song' with Cocktails,” Yvonne Baker, 16
“Will Hickey Return to One Quarterback?,” Art Rosenbaum, 43, 46

Out of Towners at Home

Art Rosenbaum reported that the Seals players, Canadians all, were living in a motel south of town while preparing for the home opener.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Displaced Puckmen Inherit a City,” Art Rosenbaum, 43, 44
“The San Francisco Seals,” Peter Breinig photo, 44

San Francisco Examiner

“Mayor Gives Seals Sendoff,” 50

Home at Last

The Seals conducted their first workout at the Cow Palace. Everyone from WHL president Al Leader to Seals coach Max McNab were pleased with the surface and even better, according to center Duke Edmundson, “it didn't crack.” Some of the players were more guarded in their opinions, saying it would take some more time before they could render a solid judgment.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Choleric Coley Hall and His Ice Skitters,” Art Rosenbaum, 47, 49
“New S.F. Seals–On the Ice,” Jack Fiske, 49

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Are Out After Home Win,” Paul Lippman, 52

San Francisco Chronicle

“the SF Seals and a Palace on Ice,” Art Frisch photo, 41
“Seals to Face Star NHL Goalie in Palace Debut, 41

San Francisco Examiner

“Just What Icemen Wanted,” 53 “The San Francisco Seals Were at Home,” Charles Doherty photo, 53
“Toothy Threesome,” Charles Doherty photo, 53

Home Debut Spoiled

The Seals charged out to a 2-0 first period lead, but the Flyers of Edmonton charged back, led by Forbes Kennedy's hat trick, to get a 5-3 win in San Francisco's debut at the Cow Palace. A respectable opening night crowd of 9,490 was on hand to watch. In Art Rosenbaum's opinion, they proved to be more knowledgeable than expected and suitably partisan for the home side. Curley Grieve of the Examiner found his correspondents to be a little more mystified by the game's rules, but it didn't seem to diminish their enjoyment any.

Poor Winner

Flyers coach Bud Poile launched a tirade, notable for the strength of its invective, against Willie Papp at some point during the game and was eventually fined $100 by the league for his efforts.

Transplants Eager

A WHL survey suggested there were as many as 100,000 Canadian ex-pats in the Bay Area, many of whom would be eager to see the local version of their national game.

Connolly Worried

In a pregame column, the Chronicle's Will Connolly was worried that too much of the rough stuff might turn the locals off and urged the Seals to “take it easy and just play the game.”

Earliest mention

Bill Gray, trainer

Gary Collins, center, returned from broken hand suffered on October 17

San Francisco Chronicle

“Hockey Returns to SF Tonight,” Jack Fiske, 41, 43
“Word of Advice: Relax, Fellahs,” Will Connolly, 44

San Francisco Examiner

“Seal Icemen Debut Here Tonight,” Paul Lippman, 59, 63

Rematch

The Seals played the Flyers for the second time on consecutive nights at the Cow Palace and came away with a 3-1 win. The fans were equally enthralled by the new giant electronic scoreboard that was finally working after first night shyness and the search of the ice surface for forward Gary Collins's lost contact lens.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Bow in Home Opener, 5-3,” Jack Fiske, 29, 30
“The Iceman Cometh to Two Anthems,” Art Rosenbaum, 29, 30

San Francisco Examiner

“Shorthanded Seals Lose, 5 to 3,” Paul Lippman, 38
“Rinkside at Cow Palace: A Real He-Man Sport,” Curley Grieve, 39

What Is This Foreign Thing?

Prescott Sullivan wanders through ostentatious ignorance about the game.

San Francisco Chronicle

“People in Sports,” B
“Seals Even Score with Flyers,” B

San Francisco Examiner

“Hockey Making New Experts in SF,” Prescott Sullivan, 3-1, 3-4
“First Home Victory for Seals,” Paul Lippman, 3-1, 3-4

Working Class Sport

Art Rosenbaum argued that, while the Seals had done a good job of generating interest among the patrician class, the real money was to be made appealing to the working classes.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Good Fan 'Score' for Seals Opener,” Art Rosenbaum, 47, 50

A Little Bit of Home

Members of the Seals, Canadians all, attended a reception held by Orville Ault, the Canadian Consul General for San Francisco.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Canadian Reception Tonight,” 13

San Francisco Examiner

“No Holiday Ahead for SF Seals,” Paul Lippman, 46

A Violent Thanksgiving

Paul Lippman reported that the Seals conducted a practice on Thanksgiving to prepare the team for a heavy upcoming slate of games.

First Shutout

The Seals, behind goaltender Bev Bentley, pitched their first shutout in a 4-0 win over the Stampeders at the Cow Palace. The win was San Francisco's fifth in their last seven games.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Host Stampeders at Palace,” 45

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Seek to Stop Stampeders Tonight,” Paul Lippman, 62

Three in a Row

Buddy Boone scored twice, but it was Nick Mickoski's goal with just over a minute to play that gave the Seals a 4-3 win over the Stampeders in the second game of a back-to-back series at the Cow Palace. It was the Seals' third win in a row and the sixth in their last eight.

Jim Hay, left winger, out with back injury

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Grab 4-0 Decision over Calgary,” Jack Fiske, 29, 33

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Smash Calgary, 4-0, Before 7,890 Fans,” Paul Lippman, 35

Tough Loss

Danny Belisle scored two goals in the last minute and a half to give the Blades a 5-4 win over the Seals in Los Angeles. The loss broke a three-game San Francisco winning streak.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Late Goal Edges Calgary, 4-3,” Jack Fiske, A, B

San Francisco Chronicle

“Blades Beat Seals,” AP, 44

San Francisco Examiner

“2 Goals in 37 Seconds Beat Seals,” AP, 52, 54

Spirits were high on Ladies Night at the Cow Palace. The Seals buried the Blades in the first period, going up 6-0, but the Blades slowly fought their way back and almost pulled off the miracle before losing in the end, 7-6. With the final seconds counting down, the Blades pulled their goalie for a last charge. An unidentified Seal gained possession of the puck in the defensive zone and launched it down ice toward the empty Los Angeles goal, but was wide. The referees said time had run out, but Blades head coach George Agar came onto the ice to protest, claiming there were three seconds left and that icing should have been called. Players joined in the protest, menacing the officials, and matters came to a head when Charles Greenstone, one of the Seals' minority owners jumped onto the ice to protest the protest. Agar threw a punch at Greenstone that missed and in the end Agar's protest was disallowed.

A socialite group of “young marrieds and single people” known collectively as San Francisco, Limited, attended the game to open their social season. The highlight of the event was a cocktails and dinner gathering in a private Cow Palace ballroom. Their response to the fracas was not recorded.

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Encounter LA Blades Tonight,” Jack Fiske, 49

San Francisco Examiner

“Temporary Trouble in Ol' Saintsville,” Art Rosenbaum, 45, 46 “Seals Host Blades at Cow Palace,” Paul Lippman, 60

San Francisco Chronicle

“Seals Lead 6-0, Shade Blades, 7-6,” Jack Fiske, 45, 46

San Francisco Examiner

“Seals Edge Blades, 7-6, Fists Fly,” Paul Lippman, 61