1973–74 California Golden Seals season

NHL season

1973–74 California Golden Seals

Division| 8th West
1973–74 record| 13–55–10
Home record| 11–18–10
Road record| 2–37–0
Goals for| 195
Goals against| 342
Team information
General manager| Fred Glover
Garry Young
Coach| Fred Glover
Marshall Johnston
Captain| Joey Johnston
Arena| Oakland Coliseum Arena
Team leaders
Goals| Joey Johnston (27)
Assists| Joey Johnston (40)
Points| Joey Johnston (67)
Penalty minutes| Bob Stewart (69)
Wins| Gilles Meloche (9)
Goals against average| Ted Tucker (3.39)

← 1972–73

1974–75 →

The 1973–74 California Golden Seals season was the Seals' seventh season in the NHL. With the continuing depletion of talent due to the World Hockey Association and a lack of interest from owner Charles O. Finley who put the team up for sale, the Seals had a miserable season and sank to a franchise low 36 points. In January 1974, the NHL bought the Seals from owner Charlie Finley for $6.585 million.[1] With the league takeover, the players immediately returned to wearing black skates. The Seals would conclude the season with the worst record in the league.[2]

## Offseason

[edit]

### Amateur draft

[edit]

Main article: 1973 NHL amateur draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Nationality  | College/Junior/Club team

|
|
|
|

3  | 34\.  | Jeff Jacques |  Canada  | St. Catharines Black Hawks (OHA)
4  | 50\.  | Ron Serafini |  United States  | St. Catharines Black Hawks (OHA)
5  | 66\.  | Jim Moxey |  Canada  | Hamilton Red Wings (OHA)
6  | 82\.  | Willie Trognitz |  Canada  | Thunder Bay (Junior)
7  | 98\.  | Paul Tantardini |  Canada  | Downsview Beavers (OPJHL)
8  | 114\.  | Bruce Greig |  Canada  | Vancouver Nats (WCHL)
9  | 130\.  | Larry Patey |  Canada  | Braintree Hawks (NEJHL)
10  | 145\.  | Doug Mahood  |  Canada  | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHA)
11  | 160\.  | Angie Moretto |  Canada  | University of Michigan (NCAA)

## Regular season

[edit]

### Final standings

[edit]

West Division[3]

* v
* t
* e

|  | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | DIFF | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Philadelphia Flyers | 78 | 50 | 16 | 12 | 273 | 164 | +109 | 112
2 | Chicago Black Hawks | 78 | 41 | 14 | 23 | 272 | 164 | +108 | 105
3 | Los Angeles Kings | 78 | 33 | 33 | 12 | 233 | 231 | +2 | 78
4 | Atlanta Flames | 78 | 30 | 34 | 14 | 214 | 238 | −24 | 74
5 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 78 | 28 | 41 | 9 | 242 | 273 | −31 | 65
6 | St. Louis Blues | 78 | 26 | 40 | 12 | 206 | 248 | −42 | 64
7 | Minnesota North Stars | 78 | 23 | 38 | 17 | 235 | 275 | −40 | 63
8 | California Golden Seals | 78 | 13 | 55 | 10 | 195 | 342 | −147 | 36

### Record vs. opponents

[edit]

#### Vs. West Division

[edit]

| 1973–74 NHL records[4]

Team  | ATL | CAL | CHI | LAK | MIN | PHI | PIT | STL | Total
Atlanta | — | 4–0–1 | 1–2–2 | 1–5 | 3–2 | 2–2–2 | 1–3–2 | 1–3–1 | 13–17–8
California | 0–4–1 | — | 1–3–2 | 1–4 | 1–3–2 | 0–5 | 1–4 | 2–3–1 | 6–26–6
Chicago | 2–1–2 | 3–1–2 | — | 3–1–2 | 3–1–1 | 2–2–1 | 5–1 | 3–0–2 | 21–7–10
Los Angeles | 5–1 | 4–1 | 1–3–2 | — | 2–3–1 | 2–2–1 | 4–1 | 3–2 | 21–13–4
Minnesota | 2–3 | 3–1–2 | 1–3–1 | 3–2–1 | — | 0–4–2 | 2–2–1 | 3–1–1 | 14–16–8
Philadelphia | 2–2–2 | 5–0 | 2–2–1 | 2–2–1 | 4–0–2 | — | 3–2 | 6–0 | 24–8–6
Pittsburgh | 3–1–2 | 4–1 | 1–5 | 1–4 | 2–2–1 | 2–3 | — | 2–3–1 | 15–19–4
St. Louis | 3–1–1 | 3–2–1 | 0–3–2 | 2–3 | 1–3–1 | 0–6 | 3–2–1 | — | 12–20–6

#### Vs. East Division

[edit]

| 1973–74 NHL records

Team  | BOS | BUF | DET | MTL | NYI | NYR | TOR | VAN | Total
Atlanta | 3–2 | 3–1–1 | 3–1–1 | 3–2 | 1–3–1 | 1–2–2 | 0–4–1 | 3–2 | 17–17–6
California | 1–4 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 1–3–1 | 1–2–2 | 0–5 | 0–4–1 | 1–4 | 7–29–4
Chicago | 2–0–3 | 0–2–3 | 4–0–1 | 2–2–1 | 2–1–2 | 3–1–1 | 3–1–1 | 4–0–1 | 20–7–13
Los Angeles | 1–3–1 | 1–4 | 1–3–1 | 1–3–1 | 3–1–1 | 1–2–2 | 1–2–2 | 3–2 | 12–20–8
Minnesota | 0–3–2 | 1–3–1 | 1–2–2 | 1–4 | 1–3–1 | 0–4–1 | 1–3–1 | 4–0–1 | 9–22–9
Philadelphia | 1–3–1 | 5–0 | 5–0 | 2–2–1 | 5–0 | 1–2–2 | 4–0–1 | 3–1–1 | 26–8–6
Pittsburgh | 0–5 | 3–2 | 2–2–1 | 0–4–1 | 2–1–2 | 1–4 | 1–3–1 | 4–1 | 13–22–5
St. Louis | 1–4 | 2–2–1 | 1–3–1 | 2–3 | 2–2–1 | 1–3–1 | 2–2–1 | 3–1–1 | 14–20–6

## Schedule and results

[edit]

1973–74 regular season[5]

October

| Game | Result | Date | Score | Opponent | Record

|
|
|
|
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1 | W | October 10, 1973 | 2–1 | St. Louis Blues (1973–74) | 1–0–0
2 | W | October 12, 1973 | 3–2 | Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) | 2–0–0
3 | L | October 17, 1973 | 1–5 | Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) | 2–1–0
4 | L | October 20, 1973 | 3–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) | 2–2–0
5 | L | October 21, 1973 | 2–11 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) | 2–3–0
6 | W | October 24, 1973 | 7–3 | Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) | 3–3–0
7 | L | October 26, 1973 | 1–3 | Atlanta Flames (1973–74) | 3–4–0
8 | L | October 28, 1973 | 1–2 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) | 3–5–0
9 | L | October 31, 1973 | 2–3 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) | 3–6–0

November

| Game | Result | Date | Score | Opponent | Record

|
|
|
|
|

10 | L | November 1, 1973 | 2–7 | @ Atlanta Flames (1973–74) | 3–7–0
11 | L | November 3, 1973 | 2–6 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1973–74) | 3–8–0
12 | L | November 4, 1973 | 1–4 | @ Boston Bruins (1973–74) | 3–9–0
13 | T | November 7, 1973 | 1–1 | Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) | 3–9–1
14 | W | November 9, 1973 | 6–3 | Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) | 4–9–1
15 | L | November 14, 1973 | 1–4 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) | 4–10–1
16 | L | November 16, 1973 | 1–2 | Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) | 4–11–1
17 | W | November 18, 1973 | 2–0 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) | 5–11–1
18 | L | November 21, 1973 | 0–3 | @ New York Rangers (1973–74) | 5–12–1
19 | L | November 24, 1973 | 3–6 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) | 5–13–1
20 | L | November 25, 1973 | 2–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) | 5–14–1
21 | W | November 28, 1973 | 5–1 | Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) | 6–14–1

December

| Game | Result | Date | Score | Opponent | Record

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|
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22 | L | December 1, 1973 | 2–3 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) | 6–15–1
23 | L | December 2, 1973 | 1–5 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) | 6–16–1
24 | T | December 5, 1973 | 3–3 | Atlanta Flames (1973–74) | 6–16–2
25 | W | December 7, 1973 | 4–3 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) | 7–16–2
26 | L | December 9, 1973 | 3–6 | @ New York Rangers (1973–74) | 7–17–2
27 | L | December 11, 1973 | 3–6 | @ New York Islanders (1973–74) | 7–18–2
28 | L | December 12, 1973 | 1–9 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) | 7–19–2
29 | T | December 14, 1973 | 2–2 | Montreal Canadiens (1973–74) | 7–19–3
30 | L | December 16, 1973 | 3–5 | @ Boston Bruins (1973–74) | 7–20–3
31 | L | December 18, 1973 | 1–4 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1973–74) | 7–21–3
32 | L | December 19, 1973 | 3–5 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) | 7–22–3
33 | T | December 23, 1973 | 2–2 | Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) | 7–22–4
34 | L | December 26, 1973 | 4–6 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) | 7–23–4
35 | T | December 28, 1973 | 4–4 | New York Islanders (1973–74) | 7–23–5
36 | L | December 30, 1973 | 1–8 | Boston Bruins (1973–74) | 7–24–5

January

| Game | Result | Date | Score | Opponent | Record

|
|
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37 | W | January 2, 1974 | 5–2 | Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) | 8–24–5
38 | L | January 5, 1974 | 1–4 | @ St. Louis Blues (1973–74) | 8–25–5
39 | L | January 6, 1974 | 4–9 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) | 8–26–5
40 | W | January 9, 1974 | 8–6 | St. Louis Blues (1973–74) | 9–26–5
41 | L | January 11, 1974 | 2–3 | Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) | 9–27–5
42 | L | January 13, 1974 | 2–7 | New York Rangers (1973–74) | 9–28–5
43 | T | January 16, 1974 | 5–5 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) | 9–28–6
44 | L | January 18, 1974 | 2–6 | @ Atlanta Flames (1973–74) | 9–29–6
45 | L | January 20, 1974 | 4–6 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) | 9–30–6
46 | L | January 22, 1974 | 3–4 | @ New York Islanders (1973–74) | 9–31–6
47 | L | January 23, 1974 | 2–6 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) | 9–32–6
48 | L | January 25, 1974 | 0–5 | Philadelphia Flyers (1973–74) | 9–33–6
49 | T | January 27, 1974 | 2–2 | Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) | 9–33–7
50 | L | January 30, 1974 | 4–6 | @ St. Louis Blues (1973–74) | 9–34–7
51 | L | January 31, 1974 | 1–2 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) | 9–35–7

February

| Game | Result | Date | Score | Opponent | Record

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52 | L | February 2, 1974 | 1–3 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) | 9–36–7
53 | W | February 3, 1974 | 4–2 | New York Islanders (1973–74) | 10–36–7
54 | W | February 6, 1974 | 4–2 | Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) | 11–36–7
55 | L | February 8, 1974 | 2–7 | Buffalo Sabres (1973–74) | 11–37–7
56 | L | February 13, 1974 | 6–9 | Boston Bruins (1973–74) | 11–38–7
57 | L | February 16, 1974 | 3–7 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) | 11–39–7
58 | L | February 17, 1974 | 1–7 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) | 11–40–7
59 | L | February 20, 1974 | 0–3 | @ Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) | 11–41–7
60 | L | February 22, 1974 | 3–4 | New York Rangers (1973–74) | 11–42–7
61 | T | February 27, 1974 | 2–2 | St. Louis Blues (1973–74) | 11–42–8

March

| Game | Result | Date | Score | Opponent | Record

|
|
|
|
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62 | W | March 2, 1974 | 4–3 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1973–74) | 12–42–8
63 | L | March 3, 1974 | 2–8 | @ New York Rangers (1973–74) | 12–43–8
64 | L | March 5, 1974 | 1–2 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) | 12–44–8
65 | T | March 6, 1974 | 3–3 | Chicago Black Hawks (1973–74) | 12–44–9
66 | W | March 10, 1974 | 6–2 | Boston Bruins (1973–74) | 13–44–9
67 | L | March 13, 1974 | 2–5 | Detroit Red Wings (1973–74) | 13–45–9
68 | L | March 15, 1974 | 1–6 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1973–74) | 13–46–9
69 | L | March 19, 1974 | 3–6 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1973–74) | 13–47–9
70 | L | March 21, 1974 | 3–6 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) | 13–48–9
71 | L | March 22, 1974 | 2–3 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1973–74) | 13–49–9
72 | L | March 24, 1974 | 1–7 | Los Angeles Kings (1973–74) | 13–50–9
73 | T | March 27, 1974 | 2–2 | New York Islanders (1973–74) | 13–50–10
74 | L | March 29, 1974 | 3–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1973–74) | 13–51–10
75 | L | March 31, 1974 | 0–7 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) | 13–52–10

April

| Game | Result | Date | Score | Opponent | Record

|
|
|
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|

76 | L | April 2, 1974 | 3–5 | @ St. Louis Blues (1973–74) | 13–53–10
77 | L | April 3, 1974 | 1–4 | Vancouver Canucks (1973–74) | 13–54–10
78 | L | April 5, 1974 | 2–4 | Atlanta Flames (1973–74) | 13–55–10

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

## Player statistics

[edit]

### Skaters

[edit]

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  | PIM
Joey Johnston | 22 | 78 | 27 | 40 | 67 | 67 | – | – | – | – | –
Ivan Boldirev | 9 | 78 | 25 | 31 | 56 | 22 | – | – | – | – | –
Walt McKechnie | 8 | 63 | 23 | 29 | 52 | 14 | – | – | – | – | –
Reggie Leach | 7 | 78 | 22 | 24 | 46 | 34 | – | – | – | – | –
Gary Croteau | 18 | 76 | 14 | 21 | 35 | 16 | – | – | – | – | –
Stan Gilbertson | 15 | 76 | 18 | 12 | 30 | 39 | – | – | – | – | –
Craig Patrick | 14 | 59 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 17 | – | – | – | – | –
Hilliard Graves | 17 | 64 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 48 | – | – | – | – | –
Morris Mott | 20 | 77 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 33 | – | – | – | – | –
Ted McAneeley | 23 | 72 | 4 | 20 | 24 | 62 | – | – | – | – | –
Marshall Johnston | 2 | 50 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 24 | – | – | – | – | –
Stan Weir | 21 | 58 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 10 | – | – | – | – | –
Pete Laframboise | 24 | 65 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | – | – | – | – | –
Ray McKay | 3 | 72 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 49 | – | – | – | – | –
Ron Huston | 11 | 23 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –
Terry Murray | 5 | 58 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 48 | – | – | – | – | –
Brent Meeke | 25 | 18 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 4 | – | – | – | – | –
Rick Kessell | 12 | 51 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | – | – | – | – | –
Bob Stewart | 6 | 47 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 69 | – | – | – | – | –
Paul Shakes | 4 | 21 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | – | – | – | – | –
Barry Cummins | 4 | 36 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 39 | – | – | – | – | –
Del Hall | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | – | –
Lyle Bradley | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | – | –
Marv Edwards | 1 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | – | – | – | – | –
Gilles Meloche | 27 | 47 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | – | –
Hartland Monahan | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –
Larry Patey | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –
Bruce Greig | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | – | – | – | – | –
Gary Holt | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –
Dave Hrechkosy | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –
Wayne King | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –
Ron Serafini | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | – | – | – | – | –
Gary Coalter | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –
Ted Tucker | 30 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –
Bob Champoux | 28 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | –

### Goaltenders

[edit]

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  | GAA
Ted Tucker | 30 | 5 | 177 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 3.39 | – | – | – | – | – | – | -.--
Marv Edwards | 1 | 14 | 780 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 51 | 0 | 3.92 | – | – | – | – | – | – | -.--
Gilles Meloche | 27 | 47 | 2800 | 9 | 33 | 5 | 198 | 1 | 4.24 | – | – | – | – | – | – | -.--
Bob Champoux | 28 | 17 | 923 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 80 | 0 | 5.20 | – | – | – | – | – | – | -.--

## Transactions

[edit]

The Seals were involved in the following transactions during the 1973–74 season:

### Trades

[edit]

May 11, 1973  | To California Golden Seals

* * *

Gary Coalter | To New York Rangers

* * *

cash

|
|

June 10, 1973  | To California Golden Seals

* * *

Ted Tucker | To Atlanta Flames

* * *

cash

### Additions and subtractions

[edit]

| Additions

Player | Former team | Via
Ray McKay | Buffalo Sabres | Intra-league Draft (1973–06–12)
Rick Kessell | Pittsburgh Penguins | Intra-league Draft (1973–06–13)
Gary Holt | Port Huron Wings (IHL) | free agency (1973–09)
Dave Hrechkosy | Rochester Americans (AHL) | free agency (1973–09)
Bob Girard | Amqui Aces (QSHL) | free agency (1973–09)
Bob Champoux | San Diego Gulls (WHL) | free agency (1973–11)
| Subtractions

Player | New team | Via
Lyle Carter | Minnesota North Stars | Reverse Draft (1973–06–13)
Al Simmons | San Diego Gulls (WHL) | Reverse Draft (1973–06–13)
Jim Jones | Chicago Cougars (WHA) | free agency (1973–09)

This sports-related list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (September 2008)

|

## References

[edit]

* Golden Seals on Hockey Database
* Golden Seals on Database Hockey

1. ^ Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.201-2, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, ISBN 978-0-8027-1745-0
2. ^ Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.169, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, ISBN 978-0-8027-1745-0
3. ^ "1973-1974 Division Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". National Hockey League.
4. ^ "All-Time NHL Results". NHL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
5. ^ "1973-74 California Golden Seals Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved March 23, 2025.

* v
* t
* e

California/Oakland/Bay Area Seals / California Golden Seals

* Founded in 1967
* Based in Oakland, California
* Relocated as the Cleveland Barons in 1976

Franchise|

* Team
* Coaches
* Players
* Draft picks
* Expansion draft

History|

* WHL years
* 1967 expansion
* Cleveland Barons

Owners|

* Barry Van Gerbig
* Charlie O. Finley
* Melvin Swig
* Gordon Gund

Oakland/California/Bay Area seasons|

* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76

Cleveland seasons|

* 1976–77
* 1977–78

Arenas|

* Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

* v
* t
* e

1973–74 NHL season

East|

* Boston
* Buffalo
* Detroit
* Montreal
* NY Islanders
* NY Rangers
* Toronto
* Vancouver

West|

* Atlanta
* California
* Chicago
* Los Angeles
* Minnesota
* Philadelphia
* Pittsburgh
* St. Louis

See also|

* Amateur draft
* Intra-league draft
* All-Star Game
* Stanley Cup Finals

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[GP]: Games played
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[T]: Ties
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[DIFF]: Goal Differential
*[Pts]: Points