Icethetics Season Preview, Part II
NEW CENTER ICE DESIGNS
The Icethetics Season Preview continues. All week, I'm doing my best to get you caught up with what's new in the world of hockey as it pertains to the right side of your brain.
Every year, every NHL team repaints its ice rink. In fact, this happens several times a year. But usually, they paint the same logo down on center ice each time. For the 2008-09 season, a half-dozen clubs are giving their manmade ponds a makeover.
In this post I'll be using concept images to show you what the center ice logos will look like. They are not entirely accurate representations of what's painted on the ice, however the logo dimensions are correct. The arena names have been left off along with the center line design which can vary from team to team.
A couple of teams are just enlarging their primary logo under the main faceoff circle.
The Dallas Stars increased the size of their logo and also added small stars to dot their red line. The Toronto Maple Leafs actually removed one. Previously, the Leafs center ice featured two logos, one facing the television cameras and the other facing opposite.
Two other teams are using their center ice circle to celebrate their anniversaries.
The Montreal Canadiens' 100th anniversary logo replaces the classic CH logo this season while the Edmonton Oilers are going with a simplified version of their 30th anniversary mark, which includes the vintage logo.
Finally, two other teams are going with their third jersey logos at center ice.
The Buffalo Sabres will use their updated vintage logo while the Carolina Hurricanes are going with the storm flag and small square storm flags along their red line.
There are unsubstantiated rumors circulating that these designs are temporary for the Hurricanes and Sabres, meant only as a marketing tool for the preseason in creating awareness of the teams' new third jerseys. I'll keep an eye out when the regular season starts to see if the primary logos find their way back to the ice for these two teams.
I'm only covering the NHL with this part of the preview, but if you think I missed anything, shoot me an email and I'll be sure to add it. Otherwise, that does it for the second day of the Icethetics Season Preview. Tomorrow, we're looking at minor league teams introducing new logos this fall.
canadiens, hurricanes, logos, maple leafs, news, oilers, preview, sabres, stars 
Reader Comments (9)
How could the Sabres look at that faceoff circle and even consider replacing it with a snot smear or two?
It's no contest Carpandean. It's down there now. Keep it there. Pure win.
Make the classic logo fit the entire center ice or bring back the slug!
Also it looks like montreal is going to win thn tournament of logos too just like they won NHLToL, although I wish rimouski would win, even though the wild and reign are better than them.
It kills me that the Hurricanes are putting that tropical storm warning flag on their center ice
you guys are right... the sabres should never change the center ice logo again
I prefer the big Sabres vintage logo far more than the two smaller logos on each half of the redline like it was done at The Aud.
Looks great. It should stay that way.
I love the 'canes and sabres center ice!
Buffalo and Edmonto are the best. I hate the Carolina one. They should have just kept it the way it was.
i think i prefer the new carolina one over the flushing toilet graphic at center ice... i didn't know whether to face off or go number 2.