Devils Going Green!
Tuesday · Aug 25 · 2009 | 8:47 PM PDT
Green is slowly but surely sneaking back into the NHL in the Age of Reebok. The New Jersey Devils will join the throwback club this season as they don their original green-infused sweaters for one night only this season.
The report came earlier tonight on the team's official web site, saying the special sweaters would be worn on St. Patrick's Day, Wednesday, March 17, 2010 when the Devs host division rival Pittsburgh Penguins. President/CEO/GM Lou Lamoriello has long said his team would not wear a third jersey on his watch — which is why I think many of us are surprised by this announcement.
Brendan Shanahan"The original red, green, and white jerseys are a part of our history here in New Jersey," said Lamoriello. "We have always been an organization that takes great pride in its tradition. This is something we believe our fans will enjoy for that one special night."
The original red, green, and white jerseys were worn for 800 regular-season and 40 playoff contests from the team’s inception in 1982 through the 1992 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Jersey’s Team has worn red, black, and white since 1992-93, and both sweaters have featured a stylized “NJ” on the chest.
They're not kidding. The Devils had been the last remaining NHL franchise without any kind of alternate jersey — ever. The Red Wings were considered by many to be part of that group, but their throwbacks both in 1992 and at last year's Winter Classic kept New Jersey isolated in my book.
Everyone wants to make a buck — especially in economic times like these. While the article on the site doesn't address the sale of these "one-time-only" jerseys, I'm betting you'll be able to find them in stores in no time.
Switching gears now to the Nashville Predators. I've heard through multiple sources, including Icethetics readers Brandon and Ben that the Preds sent a note to season tickets holders about third jerseys.
The information is rather vague at this point, saying that the jerseys would be revealed in November. No word yet on whether that date refers to a public unveiling, on-ice debut, or both. I'll let you know if I hear anything else.
Preds owner David Freeman previously said the team's new third jersey will likely be revealed publicly in September. He described it as a very traditional-looking jersey, with a design that "came purely from some of the original six teams."
Just keep in mind that the original report out of Minnesota was that the Wild's new third jersey would be unveiled in mid-September. Now, not only has it leaked, but it's going to be officially made public two weeks earlier.
Reader Comments (22)
holy crap, this is the best news i've heard all week.
We've already heard from Lou that as long as he lives, the Devils will NEVER have a third jersey, so don't get your hopes up. However, I'd love to be able to see the part-green uniforms. For those like me who got into hockey a decade or so ago, we've not been able to see them wear it on the ice except for in the video games and the old vintage clips. It'd be really nice to see it. I'm not surprised that Lou, who doesn't want a third jersey for the Devils, wants to wear this on St. Patrick's Day, but I am surprised this hasn't happened sooner.
As for the Predators... I just hope they don't screw it up. They say they're going for a vintage, Original Six look, so they absolutely have to NAIL it. If they miss, even slightly, it's a fail in my book.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Devils have (or had) a black jersey, right? And they wore it as a third?
That was a fashion jersy, KZA, and it was never worn on the ice. Ever.
For me, boarn in '81, grew up with the Devils and those jerseys, this is great news.
Merry Christmas, New Jersey. Back to the green and red. I don't think those colors should go together unless it's December.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the Devils doing what the Knicks do on St. Paddy's Day? (Solid green background with logo and numbers standing out in the primary color)
No it will just be their original red/green/white jersey. It might be the white jersey, who knows. But they will be available for sale according to the last line in this article.
I love the Devils in their original unis.... I admit i'll be strongly disappointed if they don't wear the correct red helmets and green pant shells. i mean it'll look like crap in black helmets/pants. While the sweaters and socks are green.
@louie. I am guessing it will be the jersey featured in the article on the Devils website and not the white one on the news site. I have a feeling a lot of teams will be donning retro jerseys in order to make a buck. I really wonder how they will look in RBK edge style.
Don't worry Johnny, it's only for one night and I doubt Lamoriello would ever make it a third jersey. I'm suprised by him even letting the Devils do this.
I find this interesting. Kind of like how the Leafs used to wear their old St. Pats Jerseys on that day. Maybe if they sell well, Lamoriello will change his mind about third Jerseys...one can dream. Now if we could just get Dallas and the other teams in green to do the same type of thing...
I doubt it will happen, but as a Pens fan I'd LOVE to see the Pens wear their 91-92 style jerseys as well to celebrate the occasion. Not worth the effort from their end though since they're the road team
Wow, this is great news! The more green in the NHL, the better. Black and red, while striking, is well overused.
i cant wait for st pattys day, as a devils fan i think the christmas colors red jersey should be our new third jersey. CMON LOU, WE WANT A THIRD! i wanna go to this game.
I love the idea of the Devils going back to red and green. Red and black is just far too common. For the critics who think that red and green is too Christmas-like, the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA recently returned to their original forest green and red uniforms. Red and dark green go perfectly together.
Good to see the devils going back to the green at least for one night. Too many teams wear red and black and nothing else.
I can't stand the way the Devils operate. "We'll never wear a third". Boring.
Take over the Trenton Titans and make them change their name logo and colors to the Trenton Devils. Boring.
Take over the Lowell Loch Monsters and make them change their name logo and colors to the Lowell Devils. Boring.
Let's just kill all originality in one fell swoop huh guys?
i wish lou was at the helm when the isles decided to change logos to the fisherman, to me jersey should have green.
Those Christmas jerseys were God awful. For the sake of everyone, I hope this news isn't true.
Devs go green? I. Want. One.
I Think Green Is Crazy For NJ, So I'm Rolling My Eyes And Moving On.
Picture from practice today. Practice jersey with the socks, pants shells and red helmets that are going to be worn. Only problem is that it seems that everyone will be wearing their regular red and black gloves.
Was at the game. Loved the uniforms. (Actually, I like the Red & Green better than the Red & Black.) I think it would be great during an Avalanche game for the Devils to wear the Colorado Rockies jerseys.