The former of those new markets had weather more associated with a winter sport, and naturally, attendance that suggested a sustainable marriage of hockey and city. That marriage did not come as naturally for the two California markets, and the Oakland Seals, who later became the California Golden Seals, and after a 1976 relocation, the now defunct Cleveland Barons, never emerged from their expansion throes.
And that’s part of the reason of why this Kings semicentennial is so special.
“I think it’s a celebration of what this franchise has accomplished,” said Hall of Famer and Kings President, Business Operations, Luc Robitaille.