REPORT: Golden Seals Will Inspire Sharks’ New Reverse Retro

Is it for real this time?

Two off-seasons ago, San Jose Sharks fans were led astray by Howard Berger’s claim that the Sharks were reviving this California Golden Seals’ look for the 2020-21 season:

Sheng’s Daily: It’s a Trap!

San Jose’s Reverse Retro that year ended up taking a cue from the Sharks’ Nike-designed 1998 kit:

Sharks VP of Marketing Talks Reverse Retros, Teases a 30th Anniversary Jersey

Whoops.

This time, it’s icethetics reporting that the Sharks are bringing back a Seals’ look for the 2022-23 Reverse Retros. icethetics has proven to be accurate with their jersey leaks over the years.

#SJSharks #ReverseRetro will finally bring the California Golden Seals back to the NHL!

With so many different jerseys worn during their brief existence, it’s hard to guess which one will be used.

Icethetics source says WHITE SKATES may be coming too! pic.twitter.com/G0GXkaufTa

— icethetics (@icethetics) August 8, 2022

In things that make you go hmmmm, icethetics specified “California Golden Seals,” which could narrow down the possibilities. The Seals were part of the NHL’s 1967-68 expansion, but they only used the “California Golden Seals” moniker from 1970 to 1976. They were also known as the California Seals and Oakland Seals and Bay Area Seals before the franchise moved to Cleveland in 1976. In 1991-92, the expansion San Jose Sharks kicked off a new era of NHL hockey in the Bay Area.

icethetics also suggested that the Sharks could also wear the infamous white skates introduced by Seals owner Charlie O. Finley in 1970. Here’s what that could look like, as modeled by Ivan Boldirev, Bobby Sheehan, and Bob Stewart:

#FlowFriday Ivan Boldirev, Bobby Sheehan and Bob Stewart of the California Golden Seals with some great flow and rocking the infamous white skates! pic.twitter.com/t13LZn0Ut6

— Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) March 25, 2022

Now that would be something!

For what it’s worth, Lizz Child suggested this Seals-inspired kit in March:

Sharks’ Reverse Retro Jersey Ideas

Interestingly, the San Jose Sharks had already announced plans to embrace their Bay Area NHL heritage this coming season, scheduling an Oakland Seals Scarf Night for their Nov. 25 game versus the Los Angeles Kings.

That might’ve been a telltale sign for San Jose’s Reverse Retro plans. In general, the Sharks haven’t leaned hard into their connection with the Seals over the years.

Enjoy a 10 minute excerpt from my iTunes documentary: "The California Golden Seals Story." The film examines the wild and bizarre, nine-season saga of an NHL franchise where any thing that could go wrong, did. https://t.co/k5E5D7f6L5 pic.twitter.com/QEJGpwI814

— Mark Greczmiel (@sealshockeydoc) March 22, 2020