Pens Unveiling Third Wednesday

The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially announced they will be unveiling their new third jersey on Wednesday, November 5. That's a day earlier than we previously thought.

You can read about the event on their web site. It will take place at Dick’s Sporting Goods in The Mall at Robinson from 6 to 8 PM. It will be open to the public. So I encourage those of you that can make it to take pictures and send them in to share with everyone.

According to their statement, the new alternate sweater will be modeled after their Winter Classic jersey from last season. I understand it won't look exactly the same and there may be some piping involved, but this powder blue jersey is the basic design.

Along with this announcement, the Pens' have a link to a very informative page about the team's uniform history. Worth a read.

Thanks to Vincent for the tip.

On a related note, the Chicago Blackhawks have not yet said anything publicly about their anticipated third jersey. However, I would expect to see it show up without a lot of fanfare on Monday night when they face the Avalanche.

The Hawks along with the Red Wings recently unveiled their Winter Classic jerseys, which look spectacular if you ask me.

I'll keep on top of things and let you know whatever I find out.

Winter Classic Jerseys To Be Unveiled

The Winter Classic 2009 jerseys will be unveiled on Saturday night when the Chicago Blackhawks face the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center. The announcement was made this morning on the Hawks' official web site.

The unveiling will take place during the broadcast of the game tomorrow night on WGN-TV and FSN Detroit. I'm sure pictures will be posted online by both teams. If anyone can record the unveiling and post it on YouTube, I'd be happy to put your video here on Icethetics — that's assuming the teams don't beat you to it.

So anyway, remember how I told you yesterday I'd have Winter Classic news I'd get back to you on? Well there it is. I was just waiting for some confirmation before posting and now we've got it.

I'm also still working on that Penguins news. Basically, it sounds like their new third jersey might not look exactly like what they wore at last year's Winter Classic. Close, but not exact. I'll get you more when I have it.

Pens To Debut 3rd Against Classic Foe

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pittsburgh Penguins will debut their new third jersey on Saturday, November 15. The date Icethetics has for the unveiling of this sweater is Thursday, November 6.

It's expected the Pens will go with a design similar to, if not the same as, what they wore at the Winter Classic against the Buffalo Sabres — their opponent for the November 15 game.

The article doesn't cite a source but does say the team is finalizing plans for some sort of unveiling event. You can read an excerpt below or click here to read the full text.

The Penguins will debut their alternate uniforms Nov. 15 at home against the Buffalo Sabres, the Tribune-Review has learned.

The uniforms will mirror the retro-themed ones worn against Buffalo at the New Year's Day NHL Winter Classic. The alternate design borrows from several early uniform incarnations and consists of a predominantly baby blue sweater and socks, with navy pants, gloves and helmet.

The Penguins had no comment Monday regarding the alternate uniforms debut date. However, they are finalizing plans for a formal re-introduction, which could include players modeling the alternate uniforms sometime prior to the Nov. 15 contest.

The alternate uniform is slated to be worn at select home games throughout the season.

By the way, the image associated with that article is the jersey from the Winter Classic — NOT the third jersey.

Thanks to Ken for the tip.

By the way, I mentioned a rumor the other day that has the Pens dropping the gold for the two-tone blue color scheme in two years when they move into their new arena.

It wouldn't surprise me considering those were their original colors when they joined the league more than 40 years ago and throwbacks seem to be all the rage. This new jersey may be a step in that direction. But don't shoot the messenger. We'll see what happens.

Arena Artists Confirm Pens Third?

This isn't what I'd call concrete evidence, but it's interesting. The Pittsburgh Penguins have launched a new web site with the groundbreaking of their new arena. It includes artist renderings of what the interiors and exteriors will look like.

A couple of those photos show the arena shop where jerseys are visible. The following image shows the exterior of the shop with a powder blue jersey (the alleged new third) visible on a mannequin in the window. Are the artists telling us something?

credit: penguins.nhl.com

However, one reader pointed out to me that in an image showing the interior of the store, you can see a white version of the Winter Classic sweater.

credit: penguins.nhl.com

My assumption is that it's a vintage jersey available for sale but not meant for use in games — like the pink one you see above it.

It's not like the Penguins have been hush-hush about the idea of a Winter Classic-style third jersey for this season. It'll almost certainly happen.

Hawks Convention Yields News

The Blackhawks are holding a big hockey convention this weekend to, I suppose, intensify the city's interest in the team and the sport. As part of the event, Saturday at noon there was a panel discussing the Winter Classic set for New Year's Day at Wrigley Field. Hawks president John McDonough and defenseman Brian Campbell were on hand along side the NHL's marketing director, Brian Jennings.

According to an email I received summarizing the event, there was a discussion about whether the Blackhawks and Red Wings would be wearing vintage jerseys like the Penguins and Sabres did last season. McDonough said they would be and suggested it may be styled after a 1930s sweater, like the one seen below.

credit: Andrew @ NHLUniforms.com

According to this same email, Jennings spoke about the selection process for last year's Winter Classic sweaters. He apparently said the Penguins liked theirs so much they'll be unveiling a similar powder blue design as their third jersey this season. This isn't really news but it's coming straight from the Director of Marketing at the NHL so I felt like it was worth mentioning.

As with anything, I can't vouch for the veracity of this info as it comes by way of a reader email and not any official channels. B But what's the point of lying? Thanks to Brent for the info!

Pens, Leafs Fan Art

One new artist I've been receiving concept designs from signs his work Ivall. His first submission was a Blackhawks logo that was met with a lot of praise. His followup was a Sabres logo that landed in a Freak Out Friday post.

In the last few days he's been hard at work on new logos for the Penguins and Maple Leafs. We'll start in Pittsburgh.

You know, of all the Pens artwork I've been sent, I think this is the first time I've seen a forward-facing penguin. Despite its intricacies, it's a pretty well-drawn logo. Check it out on a jersey.

He also made five attempts at a new Leafs logo.

It's hard to say which is my favorite but I think I'd have to go with either the one on top or middle-right. Thoughts?

By the way, we've got new sweater designs from Paul (aka capn89). He's made Philly, Columbus, Washington and one other team — got to leave something to the imagination. Check back tomorrow for that!