Potential Third Jersey Colors

Here's another item to file under unconfirmed third jersey rumors. I received an email from a reader who I assume works in a sporting goods store. He tells me he has an account with Reebok and that the company has apparently listed the colors for this season's new third jerseys — no actual designs or logos, though.

I don't have any specific reason for not trusting it, but I get a lot of crazy emails. So like I always say, take it for what it is. Listed below are the "body colors" for this fall's new alternate sweaters.

	Bruins: black		Sabres: navy
	Blackhawks: black		Stars: white
	Kings: black		Senators: black
	Flyers: "special" orange		Penguins: sky blue
	Blues: navy		Sharks: black
	Lightning: "royal"		Maple Leafs: white
	Canucks: "royal"

That's the list as it's been presented to me. I don't know if it's a complete list or how accurate it is. Really only time will tell us that for sure. In the meantime, it's just a little more speculation to add to the pile.

And for whatever it's worth, I'm psyched about a possible blue Lightning jersey!

Four New Sweater Designs

Icethetics reader Paul (aka capn89) has been redesigning NHL uniforms league wide and he's sent in another batch for your enjoyment. Most recently you saw him take a stab at the Senators. Today we've got four new teams — beginning with Columbus.

I'm not sure how well a red third jersey works in theory for a team named the Blue Jackets, but looking at it, you can't help but like it.

His Islanders jerseys are sharp!

He's used a Liberty Bell logo on the shoulders of the Flyers jerseys.

Notice how the home sweater is orange. I think most Philly fans tend to prefer that to black. And finally, we have the Capitals.

That secondary logo just looks killer on the front of the third jersey. Let's hope the team's smart enough to actually make one for this season.

By the way, tomorrow I'll have more details on the new logo design contest I'm launching. Imagine a league with 30 teams — each team has a name and color scheme — but none of them have logos! Designers, this one's for you. You'll be able to brand a team from the ground up!

New Icethetics Features

Quick note about some new features I'm trying out.

As many of you have noticed that you can now post comments while on the same page as the post you're commenting on instead of going to a completely separate page. Figured it might be helpful. The "subscribe to comments" link doesn't exist anymore but my solution to that is at the bottom of the sidebar on the right side of the page.

You can choose to subscribe to all posts or all comments on all posts via RSS. Unfortunately you can't subscribe to a single post's comments as far as I know. If nothing else, it gives you a reason to keep coming back, right?

Also, I've added a star rating system. You can now rate individual posts from 1 to 5 stars. I don't know how you'd decide what to rate a post given the number of concepts I might include in one. I guess it's kind of like voting on which logo is better. Just go with your gut. You can even rate this post. I dare you!

My next step is determining a way to build a concept art gallery where you can rate the designs. I'm not sure where we'd go with that, but I think just having it would be a nice start. It would give everyone an idea of where the majority of visitors stand on the various works of art. If anyone has any suggestions or knows of any great sites that might be able to easily accomplish this, I'm all ears.

That's all for now. I'll be posting those new uniform concepts from Paul shortly.

“Official” Oilers Concept Jerseys?

Apparently some Oilers jersey designs have been floating around recently. I guess the claim is that they're official concepts being considered by the team as a potential alternate or home sweater replacement. Have a look at see what you think.

Like I said I can't vouch for the veracity of these images. Just take them for what they are.

I like them both but the first one would be my favorite. Express your thoughts in the comments below.

Thanks to Zac for the tip.

Bolts Go Photoshopping

First, yes Vinny signed an 11-year contract with my Tampa Bay Lightning and I couldn't be happier. But it's actually Steven Stamkos that has me writing this evening. It appears even official team web sites aren't above Photoshopping jerseys onto players who haven't actually worn them yet.

This ad is currently appearing on the Bolts' home page.

At first you may think nothing of it. But look at the guy on the right. Is that Stamkos? In a Lightning jersey? When would he have had occasion to don a Bolts jersey in game action? Any graphic artist worth his salt should be able to tell in a second that it's not a real photo based on the lighting and shadows alone.

If you're not sold, consider this: Even when training camp rolls around, they don't wear full-on game sweaters. They have practice jerseys for that. So I'm led to the conclusion that his head has been pasted on someone else's body. And, of course, the numbers have been added because no player to my knowledge wore #91 for the Lightning last year.

Wow! Maybe I'm the only one intrigued by this, but I figure if I'm not alone, you guys would be the only other ones who care. So speaking of which, if anybody happens to run across a free agent signee already in his new team's uniform on an official web site, shoot me an email.

I'll leave you with this question: Who was that originally a picture of and how do you think he feels about having his head chopped off and his number changed?

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!

Coyotes Logo Evolution

I've been going though my computer to clear off a bunch of old files when I came across an interesting video clip. It was posted on the Phoenix Coyotes web site a few years ago when they unveiled their new (current) logo. As a person who comes from the video/animation world, I was fascinated by it and I thought I'd share it on this Sunday morning.

Now, just to be clear this video is property of the Coyotes hockey club and I have nothing to do with it. I'm just a fan and I wanted to share it with you guys. Someone obviously put a lot of effort into it.

But what sort of person would I be if I didn't also have concept art for you?

These two logo sets come from the same designer and I think they're equally cool.

This one I felt was confused. You're either using the moon as a C or not — you can't have it both ways without it being weird.

And to finish... this is something I don't really like to do, but I'm making an exception. Occasionally when I post a concept logo, I'll get emails from people with adjustments to that design. And I tend to not post them because I feel like it takes away from the original artist's work. Here, I believe it helps it.

Back on NHLToL, I posted this Coyotes logo set by designer Sigma Kappa. But one reader made some tweaks to the second logo.

I like this one just as much as the original. Both have their pros and cons but I figured I'd post it so you guys could decide which you thought was better.

The Sabres, Revisited

Following Matt's rebrand this week, many of you have been hard at work on your ideas for what sort of logo and uniforms the Sabres should really have. Reaction was mixed with many people looking for something completely new...

...while others enjoyed the update on a timeless symbol. And there's more where that came from.

By the way, you've seen other work from this designer. He's quite talented. Here are the jersey designs that go with his logo.

I've got another, more unique logo to share.

It has jersey designs as well.

In addition, I have more unrelated sweater concepts.

Interesting image. And this I believe is similar to concepts we've seen before, but it does tend to be one of the favorites.

I've got a big project in the works here at Icethetics. This goes out to all of the talented artists and designers who submit artwork on a regular basis: How would you like to brand an entire league? (And it's not the NHL.) Details to come.

Leafs Making Announcement

According to a new video sent to Maple Leafs fans, the team will be making a "fan-related announcement" on Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre. Seen in the video is Matt Stajan and if you want to watch it, it's right here.

I guess the reason I mention this at all is that there appears to be some speculation that the announcement is jersey-related. The Leafs are one of the teams rumored to have a third jersey ready for 2008-09. It's four days away so we'll find out soon enough. I'll of course have it posted here should it be related to the uniforms or logos.

I'd thank the reader who sent in the tip, but he didn't give his name.

By the way, I apologize for the late posts today but I got my new iPhone 3G this morning so I've been a little preoccupied. Plus I went to see Hancock. It was a fun movie. I liked it. Anyone else seen it yet?

Poll: Huskies vs Sea Dogs

	vs
Rouyn-Noranda HUSKIES		Saint John SEA DOGS

This one's for the championship! The winner of this poll gets bragging rights as the best logo in the QMJHL. Place your vote and leave a comment about how you came to your decision. Tell all your friends to drop in and vote! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

Poll opening date Fri Jul 11

Poll closing date Wed Jul 16