1975-1976 Season

The Seals introduced new ownership and for once it was local. Mel Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and former co-owner of the WHL Seals purchased the club from the league prior to the 1975-76 season. The Seals promoted Jack "Tex" Evans, who had coached their farm club in Salt Lake City to a championship the year before, to coach the club. For the first time in awhile, the Seals iced a competitive team. Rookie Dennis Maruk centered the 3M line with Bob Murdoch and Al MacAdam that excited the fans and gave the Seals good offensive production. Both Maruk and MacAdam scored over 30 goals and Murdoch led the team in power play goals. Wayne Merrick was acquired mid-season from St. Louis to anchor a second scoring line. The Seals fell just short of the playoffs but finally seemed to be heading in the right direction. Owner Mel Swig tried very hard to have a new arena built for the Seals in San Francisco but the measure never passed. Once the arena proposal was defeated, Swig and minority owner George Gund decided to move the team to Cleveland where they became the Cleveland Barons. The California Seals were no more.

The Barons had an interesting two year history in Cleveland, but that's another story...

Game Date Opponent Result Seals Goalie Opp. Goalie W/T Goal Notes
1. Oct 08 75 @ Atlanta W 4-3 Gilles Meloche Dan Bouchard Bob Murdoch Rookies Bob Murdoch and Ralph Klassen scored their first NHL goals as the Seals downed the Flames. Tom Lysiak scored twice for Atlanta.
2. Oct 11 75 @ Detroit W 5-2 Gary Simmons Jim Rutherford Al MacAdam Al MacAdam scored a hat trick for California. Dennis Maruk earned his first NHL point by assisting on one of MacAdam's goals. Mike Christie had 2 assists for the Seals.
3. Oct 12 75 @ Philadelphia L 4-1 Gilles Meloche Wayne Stephenson Don Saleski Reggie Leach scored twice for the Flyers. Dave Hrechkosy scored for California. Bobby Clarke had a goal and an assist.
4. Oct 15 75 @ Minnesota L 4-1 Gary Simmons Pete Lopresti Dave Cressman Bill Goldsworthy scored twice for Minnesota while Dennis Hextall had 2 assists. Dave Hrechkosy tallied for the Seals.
5. Oct 17 75 Washington T 3-3 Gilles Meloche Michel Belhumeur Gary Holt Gary Holt's first NHL goal proved to be the game tying score.
6. Oct 18 75 @ Los Angeles L 5-3 Gary Simmons Rogie Vachon   George Pesut scored his first NHL goal for California.
7. Oct 22 75 Minnesota W 4-2 Gilles Meloche Cesare Maniago Gary Sabourin Mike Christie scored his first NHL goal for the Seals.
8. Oct 25 75 @ Toronto T 2-2 Gary Simmons Wayne Thomas Ian Turnbull The Leafs tied the game on a disputed goal with 51 seconds remaining. Gary Simmons claimed that Stan Weir was in the crease when the tying goal was scored but the goal counted and the game ended in a tie. Dennis Maruk scored his first NHL goal in this game. Dave Gardner also scored for the Seals.
9. Oct 26 75 @ Buffalo L 3-2 Gilles Meloche Gerry Desjardins Jacques Richard Bob Girard scored his first NHL goal. Gilles Meloche made 31 saves to keep the Seals in a game in which they were badly outplayed. Al MacAdam scored the other Seals goal.
10. Oct 29 75 @ Detroit L 6-4 Gary Simmons Jim Rutherford Nick Libett Walt McKechnie and Mickey Redmond each scored twice for the Wings. Ralph Klassen led the Seals attack with 3 assists.
11. Oct 31 75 Atlanta L 2-0 Gilles Meloche Phil Myre    
12. Nov 02 75 @ Boston L 5-0 Gary Simmons Dave Reece Gregg Sheppard Dave Reece made 20 saves to earn the shutout. Gary Simmons stopped Bobby Schmautz on a penalty shot. Wayne Cashman had 3 points for Boston. The Seals were shutout for the 2nd straight game.
13. Nov 04 75 @ NY Islanders L 5-3 Gilles Meloche Chico Resch Denis Potvin J.P. Parise had a hat trick for the Islanders while Denis Potvin added a goal and 2 assists. Gary Sabourin scored twice for the Seals. It was the 4th straight loss for California.
14. Nov 05 75 @ Kansas City L 3-2 Gary Simmons Denis Herron Randy Rota Ed Gilbert had a goal and an assist to lead the Scouts past the Seals. Dennis Maruk had a goal and an assist for California.
15. Nov 07 75 NY Rangers W 7-5 Gilles Meloche John Davidson Gary Sabourin Gary Sabourin scored 4 goals as the Seals ended a 9 game winless streak against the Rangers. Phil Esposito scored twice in his Rangers debut but was on ice for 5 of the 7 California goals. Ralph Klassen had 3 assists for the Seals while Rick Hampton and Larry Patey had 2 points each.
16. Nov 09 75 Boston L 6-3 Gary Simmons Gilles Gilbert John Bucyk Bobby Schmautz scored twice while John Bucyk and Bobby Orr had 3 points each as the Bruins won. Brad Park, playing in his 2nd game as a Bruin, added a goal and an assist. Bob Murdoch scored twice for California.
17. Nov 11 75 @ Los Angeles W 3-2 Gilles Meloche Rogie Vachon Rick Hampton Seals last trip to Los Angeles.
18. Nov 12 75 NY Islanders W 5-1 Gary Simmons Chico Resch Dennis Maruk Seals last ever win over the Islanders.
19. Nov 14 75 Toronto L 4-2 Gilles Meloche Wayne Thomas    
20. Nov 16 75 @ Buffalo L 4-1 Gary Simmons Gerry Desjardins Rene Robert Rene Robert Rene Robert scored twice to lead the Sabres. Gary Sabourin scored the lone Seals goal.
21. Nov 18 75 @ Pittsburgh W 5-3 Gilles Meloche Gary Innes Bob Murdoch Dennis Maruk scored 4 goals for the Seals on his 20th birthday. Bob Murdoch and Al MacAdam, the other members of the 3M line, had 3 points each. Gilles Meloche made 43 saves as the Seals won in Pittsburgh for the first time in 9 games.
22. Nov 20 75 @ Philadelphia L 3-2 Gary Simmons Wayne Stephenson Gary Dornhoefer Dennis Maruk and Bob Girard scored for the Seals. Gary Sabourin had 2 assists.
23. Nov 21 75 @ Washington W 2-0 Gilles Meloche Bernie Wolfe Al MacAdam Gilles Meloche stopped 22 shots to earn the shutout. Al MacAdam and Bob Murdoch scored. Murdoch also assisted on MacAdam's goal.
24. Nov 23 75 @ NY Rangers L 3-2 Gary Simmons John Davidson Rick Middleton Wayne Dillon scored twice for the Rangers while Steve Vickers had 2 assists. All 3 Rangers goals deflected off Seals players' sticks or legs. Dave Hrechkosy and Bob Girard scored for the Seals.
25. Nov 26 75 Vancouver W 2-1 Gilles Meloche Ken Lockett Wayne Merrick The Seals opened an NHL record 12 game home stand with a 2-1 win over the Canucks.
26. Nov 28 75 Buffalo L 4-2 Gilles Meloche Gerry Desjardins    
27. Nov 30 75 Atlanta L 4-1 Gary Simmons Phil Myre Rey Comeau Tom Lysiak scored twice and Phil Myre made 29 saves for the Flames. Gary Sabourin scored twice for the Seals.
28. Dec 03 75 Los Angeles L 3-2 Gilles Meloche Rogie Vachon   Prior to the game, Bob Stewart was named captain of the Seals, replacing the injured Jim Neilson.
29. Dec 05 75 Detroit W 3-2 Gilles Meloche Jim Rutherford Dave Hrechkosy  
30. Dec 10 75 Philadelphia T 1-1 Gilles Meloche Wayne Stephenson Rick Hampton  
31. Dec 12 75 St. Louis W 5-2 Gilles Meloche Ed Johnston Wayne Merrick Seals unbeaten in last 3 games (2-0-1).
32. Dec 17 75 Pittsburgh L 9-2 Gilles Meloche Michel Plasse   Syl Apps and Bob Kelly each scored a hat trick for Pittsburgh.
33. Dec 19 75 Chicago W 5-2 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito Dennis Maruk  
34. Dec 21 75 Montreal L 2-1 Gilles Meloche Ken Dryden Guy Lafleur Guy Lafleur had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens. Dave Gardner scored for California. The Habs extended their winning streak to 9 games.
35. Dec 26 75 Los Angeles L 4-2 Gilles Meloche Rogie Vachon    
36. Dec 28 75 Kansas City L 3-1 Gilles Meloche Denis Herron Wilf Paiement Wilf Paiement and Guy Charron each scored once and assisted on 2 other goals to lead the Scouts past the Seals. Dave Gardner scored to give the Seals an early 1-0 lead. Ex-Seal Craig Patrick also scored for Kansas City. The Seals finished their 12 game homestand an unimpressive 4-7-1.
37. Dec 30 75 @ Chicago L 5-3 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito   Larry Patey Fred Ahern, Jim Pappin and Dennis Maruk scored for the Seals while the Hawks got 2 points each from J.P. Bordeleau, Stan Mikita and Cliff Koroll.
38. Jan 01 76 @ Toronto L 5-1 Gilles Meloche Wayne Thomas Tiger Williams Lanny McDonald scored twice and assisted on a 3rd goal for Toronto. Dave Hrechkosy scored for California.
39. Jan 02 76 @ Washington W 8-5 Gary Simmons Ron Low and Bernie Wolfe Al MacAdam Wayne Merrick set a Seals franchise record with 6 points in a game (3G, 3A). Bob Girard and Jim Pappin had 3 points each for the Seals who took 51 shots on net. Greg Joly scored twice for Washington.
40. Jan 07 76 Pittsburgh W 4-1 Gary Simmons Michel Plasse Al MacAdam Seals last ever win over Pens.
41. Jan 09 76 @ Washington W 5-0 Gary Simmons Ron Low Al MacAdam Gary Simmons made 24 saves to shut out the Caps in the Seals last visit to the Cap Centre. Al MacAdam scored 2 goals in 30 seconds, Bob Murdoch had 3 assists. Seals won their 3rd straight, Caps now winless in 20.
42. Jan 10 76 @ Boston L 3-2 Gilles Meloche Gilles Gilbert John Bucyk Gregg Sheppard had 3 assists while Brad Park added a goal and an assist for Boston. Bob Girard and Wayne Merrick scored for the Seals. John Bucyk's goal was the 500th of his NHL career.
43. Jan 14 76 Chicago T 2-2 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito   Dennis Maruk is stopped on a penalty shot by Tony Esposito.
44. Jan 16 76 NY Rangers W 7-0 Gary Simmons Dunc Wilson Wayne Merrick The Seals recorded the last shutout in their history as "The Cobra", Gary Simmons blanked the Rangers.
45. Jan 17 76 @ Vancouver W 5-3 Gilles Meloche Ken Lockett & Gary Smith Dennis Maruk Dennis Maruk scored twice while Dave Gardner had a goal and 2 assists for the Seals. Rick Hampton added 2 assists as well. This would be California's last win over the Canucks.
46. Jan 23 76 Kansas City W 4-1 Gary Simmons Bill Oleshuk Dave Gardner The Seals set a team record with 52 shots on goal including 24 shots in one period. Scouts goalie Bill Oleshuk made his only NHL appearance of the season. This was the last win over the Scouts for the Seals.
47. Jan 25 76 Toronto W 5-3 Gary Simmons Wayne Thomas and Gord McRae Wayne Merrick Wayne Merrick scored a hat trick and Gary Sabourin had 2 assists for the Seals. The Seals were now unbeaten in their last 5 games (4-0-1).
48. Jan 28 76 Washington L 4-2 Gary Simmons Bernie Wolfe    
49. Jan 30 76 Montreal L 5-4 Gilles Meloche Ken Dryden    
50. Feb 01 76 Buffalo L 9-5 Gary Simmons Gerry Desjardins Danny Gare Gilbert Perreault had 7 points on the game, 2 goals and 5 assists. That tied an NHL record for most points in a road game. Danny Gare also had a hat trick and Rene Robert had 5 points. The teams also set an NHL record by scoring 3 goals in 18 seconds late in the game. Jim Moxey of the Seals scored at 19:38, Wayne Merrick at 19:45 and then Danny Gare at 19:56.
51. Feb 03 76 @ St. Louis T 4-4 Gary Simmons Ed Johnston Chuck Lefley The Blues tied the Seals thanks to 2 third period goals by Lefley. Jim Moxey scored twice for the Seals and Rick Hampton had 2 helpers. Derek Sanderson had 3 points for St. Louis.
52. Feb 04 76 @ Atlanta L 4-1 Gilles Meloche Phil Myre Pat Quinn The Seals lost in their last trip to the Omni in Atlanta. Tom Lysiak and Hilliard Graves each had 2 points for the Flames. Bob Girard scored for California.
53. Feb 06 76 @ Montreal L 7-1 Gilles Meloche and Gary Simmons Michel Larocque Guy Lafleu r Steve Shutt and Larry Robinson each had 2 goals to lead the Habs. Bob Murdoch broke Michel Larocque's shutout bid with 7:36 left in the game.
54. Feb 08 76 @ Buffalo T 5-5 Gary Simmons Gerry Desjardins Al MacAdam Al MacAdam's 2nd goal of the game with 1:17 left earned the Seals the tie. Bob Murdoch had a goal and 3 assists for California. Al MacAdam and Dennis Maruk each scored their 20th goals of the season.
55. Feb 11 76 Pittsburgh T 4-4 Gary Simmons Michel Plasse    
56. Feb 13 76 Boston L 6-5 Gary Simmons Gerry Cheevers    
57. Feb 15 76 @ Minnesota W 7-3 Gary Simmons Cesare Maniago Bob Murdoch Jim Moxey recorded a hat trick to lead the Seals past the North Stars. The win ended a 9 game winless streak for the Seals (0-6-3). Dave Gardner had a goal and 3 assists while George Pesut set up 3 Seals goals. Dean Talafous scored twice for Minnesota.
58. Feb 16 76 @ St, Louis L 4-2 Gary Simmons Ed Johnston Red Berenson Claude Larose and Red Berenson each scored twice for the Blues. Dennis Maruk and Gary Sabourin scored for the Seals, Rick Hampton had 2 assists.
59. Feb 18 76 Minnesota W 6-3 Gary Simmons Pete Lopresti Gary Sabourin Seals last win over the North Stars.
60. Feb 20 76 Philadelphia L 5-4 Gary Simmons Wayne Stephenson    
61. Feb 22 76 @ Chicago W 5-2 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito Fred Ahern Wayne Merrick's 2 goals made the Seals last trip to Chicago Stadium a successful one. Gary Sabourin, Fred Ahern and Mike Christie also scored for the Seals.
62. Feb 25 76 @ NY Rangers W 6-4 Gary Simmons John Davidson Fred Ahern The Seals won for only the 2nd time in their 9 year history at Madison Square Garden. Al MacAdam had a hat trick and Bob Murdoch added 2 assists. The teams combined for 129 penalty minutes including 33 by Rangers rookie Dave Maloney.
63. Feb 26 76 @ Detroit T 1-1 Gilles Meloche Ed Giacomin Bill Hogaboam Gilles Meloche and Ed Giacomin both played strong games in goal. Gary Sabourin scored the only goal for California.
64. Feb 28 76 @ Toronto L 4-2 Gary Simmons Wayne Thomas Lanny McDonald Jack Valiquette had 2 assists for the Leafs. Gary Sabourin scored his 20th goal of the year for the Seals, Dave Gardner scored the other California goal.
65. Feb 29 76 @ Philadelphia L 6-1 Gilles Meloche Wayne Stephenson Joe Watson Bobby Clarke scored twice and had one assist to lead the Flyers to the win. Bill Barber added 3 assists while Joe Watson had a goal and 2 assists. Dave Gardner scored the Seals goal.
66. Mar 02 76 @ NY Islanders L 2-1 Gary Simmons Chico Resch Jude Drouin Rick Hampton had a chance to tie the game with 7 seconds left but hit the cross bar. Dennis Maruk scored the Seals goal, Billy Harris and Jude Drouin scored for the Islanders.
67. Mar 03 76 @ Montreal L 4-2 Gilles Meloche Michel Larocque Yvon Cournoyer Yvon Cournoyer had 2 goals while Yvon Lambert and Guy Lapointe had 2 assists each as the Seals lost in their final trip to the Forum. Fred Ahern and Rick Hampton scored for the Seals.
68. Mar 05 76 Boston W 4-3 Gary Simmons Gilles Gilbert Fred Ahern The Seals ended a 5 game winless streak by defeating the Bruins. South Boston native Fred Ahern scored the winning goal.
69. Mar 07 76 Toronto T 7-7 Gilles Meloche Wayne Thomas    
70. Mar 10 76 Detroit W 4-3 Gary Simmons Jim Rutherford Fred Ahern  
71. Mar 13 76 @ Pittsburgh L 4-2 Gilles Meloche Michel Plasse Vic Hadfield Pierre Larouche scored his 40th goal of the year while Vic Hadfield and Bob "Battleship" Kelly each had a goal and an assist to lead the Pens past the Seals. Gary Sabourin and Wayne Merrick had 2 points each for California.
72. Mar 14 76 @ Boston L 4-2 Gary Simmons Gilles Gilbert John Bucyk Wayne Cashman scored twice for Boston. Fred Ahern and Bob Murdoch had the Seals goals in the Seals last trip to Boston Garden.
73. Mar 17 76 Buffalo L 5-3 Gilles Meloche Gerry Desjardins    
74. Mar 19 76 Montreal L 4-1 Gary Simmons Ken Dryden   Seals tie a team record with 24 shots on goal in one period.
75. Mar 20 76 @ Kansas City T 2-2 Gilles Meloche Denis Herron Fred Ahern The Seals overcame a 2-0 deficit with third period goals by Bob Girard and Fred Ahern. Ex-Seal Gary Croteau scored for Kansas City. There were no penalties called against either team in this game.
76. Mar 22 76 St. Louis W 7-1 Gary Simmons Ed Johnston Bob Murdoch Rick Hampton and Bob Murdoch each scored twice while Dennis Maruk added a goal and 3 assists and Al MacAdam assisted on 2 California goals.
77. Mar 26 76 NY Islanders L 3-2 Gary Simmons Chico Resch    
78. Mar 30 76 @ Vancouver T 4-4 Gary Simmons Curt Ridley   Last tie in Seals history and the last road game.
79. Apr 02 76 Vancouver L 5-0 Gilles Meloche Curt Ridley   Final time the Seals were shutout, Curt Ridley did the honors. It was also the final loss for the franchise.
80. Apr 04 76 Los Angeles W 5-2 Gary Simmons Rogie Vachon Bob Girard The Seals won their final game before a crowd of 6,442 at the Oakland Coliseum.

SEALS SEASON LEADERS 1975-76
(Franchise Records in Bold)

Games Played Al MacAdam, Dennis Maruk & Bob Girard 80
Goals Al MacAdam 32
Assists Rick Hampton 37
Points Al MacAdam 63
Penalty Minutes Mike Christie 152
Power Play Goals Bob Murdoch 9
Short Handed Goals Dennis Maruk 5
Game Winning Goals Al MacAdam 5
Game Tying Goals Fred Ahern & Wayne Merrick 2
Shots on Goal Dennis Maruk 233
Shooting PCT* Fred Ahern 19.3%
Best +/-* Fred Ahern -2
Worst +/-* Bob Stewart -34
Games by Goalie Gilles Meloche 41
Wins by Goalie Gary Simmons 15
Goals Agnst Ave** Gary Simmons 3.33
Shutouts Gary Simmons 2

Note:
*Shooting PCT and Best and Worst +/- based on minimum of 40 games played.
**Goals Against Average based on minimum 20 games played.

Team Captain: Jim Neilson/Bob Stewart
Alternate Captains: Not designated on team's sweaters.
GM: Bill McCreary
Coach: Jack Evans

Record: 27-42-11 4th in Adams Division
Did not qualify for playoffs.

Record at :
Home 16-19-5
Road: 11-23-6

vs. Adams 2-13-3
vs. Norris 10-12-3
vs. Patrick 5-11-1
vs. Smythe 10-6-4

Record Month
October 3-6-2
November 6-10-0
December 3-6-1
Janaury 7-4-1
February 4-8-4
March 3-7-2
April 1-1-0

All Star Game Representative: Al MacAdam 1 Goal 1 Assist 2 PTS 0 PM

Power Play: 71/382 18.6%
Penalty Kill: 52/262 80.2%

Ticket Prices: Rinkside $8.50. Loge $7.50. Balcony $6.00. Gallery $5.00. Children under 14 ½ price.

Home Attendance: 277,977 for 40 home games. Average 6,949 per game.

Major Transactions

Date Transaction
June 1975 Seals acquire the rights to Del Hall and Gary Holt from the Phoenix Roadrunners of the WHA for the rights to Ron Huston.
June 1, 1975 Seals obtain Jim Pappin and a 3rd round pick in the 1977 entry draft (Guy Lash) for Joey Johnston.
June 23, 1975 Seals send Stan Weir to Toronto for Gary Sabrourin.
September 23, 1975 Seals send Claude St. Sauveur to Atlanta for cash.
November 24, 1975 Seals acquire Wayne Merrick from St. Louis for Larry Patey and the Seals 3rd round pick in the 1977 entry draft.
March 9, 1976 Seals send Dave Hrechkosy to St. Louis for the Blues 5th pick in the 1976 entry draft (Cal Sandbeck) and the Seals 3rd pick in the 1977 entry draft (Reg Kerr) which was originally traded to St. Louis.