Charlie Hodge Makes Early Seals History With First Franchise Shutout

The Oakland Seals’ debut season couldn’t have started on a more optimistic note. Fresh off their 1967 expansion debut, the Seals grabbed wins in each of their first two games, an early spark for a brand-new franchise. And in just the second outing of the 1967-68 campaign, fans were treated to a milestone moment: the first shutout in team history.

Charlie Hodge, the Seals’ marquee pickup at the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft, brought both pedigree and poise to the crease. Selected sixth overall out of Montreal, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner proved he still had game. On October 14, 1967, inside the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Hodge stopped all 20 shots he faced against the Minnesota North Stars, recording his 22nd career shutout and his first in Seals colors. He’d add two more that season before finishing his NHL career with 24.

Oakland wasn’t just airtight defensively, they overwhelmed Minnesota at the other end. Cesare Maniago faced a barrage of 38 shots, allowing six goals in a decisive 6-0 Seals victory. Gerry Ehman opened the scoring on a first-period power play, with Bill Hicke supplying the first of his four assists on the night. Kent Douglas added a standout performance of his own with a goal and two helpers.

Though the Seals’ early-season success didn’t last, they went winless in their next 14 games, this shutout remains a bright, defining moment from the franchise’s earliest days.

About Charlie Hodge

Charlie Hodge played 358 regular season and 16 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1954-55 and 1970-71 with the Montreal Canadiens, Oakland Seals and Vancouver Canucks. He was the sixth player selected overall at the 1967 NHL Expansion Draft by the Seals and the 39th overall at the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft by the Canucks.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Charlie Hodge

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Which NHL team did Charlie Hodge win multiple Vezina Trophies with?

Boston Bruins
Oakland Seals
Montreal Canadiens
Minnesota North Stars

2. How many career shutouts did Charlie Hodge finish with?

12
18
24
31

3. In which season did Charlie Hodge appear in 58 games for the Oakland Seals?

1967–68
1968–69
1965–66
1969–70

4. Before joining the Seals, Charlie Hodge primarily backed up which legendary Canadiens goalie?

Lorne Worsley
Jacques Plante
Ken Dryden
Rogie Vachon

5. How many Stanley Cups did Charlie Hodge win with the Montreal Canadiens?

Two
Three
Four
Six

Wayne Connelly’s Hat Trick Leads North Stars to First-Ever Win Over Canadiens

On March 4, 1968, the Minnesota North Stars hosted the Montreal Canadiens at the Metropolitan Sports Center for their final meeting of the season. The expansion North Stars had yet to defeat the storied Habs until a former Montreal prospect made sure that changed.

Wayne Connelly, who began his NHL journey in the Canadiens’ system, scored all three Minnesota goals in a thrilling 3-2 victory. In the opening period, Connelly struck twice on the power play, first while John Ferguson sat off for cross-checking, then again with Ted Harris serving a five-minute major.

He completed the hat trick late in the third period, notching his 30th of the season and what would stand as the game-winner. Montreal’s Dick Duff scored both Canadiens goals, the last coming with less than two minutes to play, but Cesare Maniago held strong in net for Minnesota with 33 saves on 35 shots.

Connelly fired nine of the North Stars’ 23 shots himself, an outstanding solo effort that powered the team to its first-ever win over Montreal. The three-goal night was his second career hat trick, and he went on to lead the club with 35 goals that season, the highest total among players from the NHL’s six new expansion teams. His 35 goals also tied him with Phil Esposito and Norm Ullman for fourth overall in the league.

About Wayne Connelly

Between 1960-61 and 1971-72, Wayne Connelly played 543 regular season and 24 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks. He surpassed the 20 goal plateau twice and had a career best 59 points with the Red Wings in 1969-70.

In the WHA, Connelly played an additional 366 regular season and 37 playoff games between 1972-73 and 1976-77 with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Cleveland Crusaders, Calgary Cowboys and Edmonton Oilers. He had two 40+ goal seasons, topping out with 42 in 1973-74 with the Fighting Saints.

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NHL Hockey Trivia: Wayne Connelly

Much more NHL hockey trivia can be found at our website: World's Best Hockey Trivia

1. Wayne Connelly led all players from the NHL’s six expansion teams in goals during the 1967-68 season. How many goals did he score that year?

28
32
35
38

2. Before joining the Minnesota North Stars, Connelly played for which NHL franchise?

Boston Bruins
Chicago Black Hawks
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens

3. Connelly’s most famous game came on March 4, 1968, when he scored all three goals in Minnesota’s first-ever win over which team?

Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens
Boston Bruins
New York Rangers

4. In addition to the NHL, Connelly also spent several seasons in which major North American professional hockey league during the 1970s?

AHL
WHL
WHA
IHL

5. Over his professional career, Wayne Connelly played for all of the following teams except which one?

Minnesota North Stars
Vancouver Canucks
Cleveland Crusaders
Indianapolis Racers