A Certain Kind of Crazy
Sunday · Jan 31 · 2010 | 6:02 PM PSTYesterday I posted a handful of notes relating to the recent rash of specialty sweaters both in the NHL and the minor leagues. I saved a couple for today because they're just a certain kind of crazy that deserve a post all their own.
Tomas Kaberle #15This one, too, begins with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Earlier tonight, they joined couple of other NHL clubs who have paid tribute to the military with special camouflage warm-up jerseys in 2009-10.
Don't misunderstand, these teams always seem to have their hearts in the right place when they do these things, but I do think it's sometimes a bit nuts.
The Leafs offered a few more details regarding the reason for tonight's military-themed sweaters.
More than 360 Canadian Forces personnel attended the game at the invitation of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Gen. Walter Natynczyk officiated the ceremonial puck drop before the game, and was visited at centre ice by former Leafs goaltender Johnny Bower, who was in full military garb.
If you're interested in more pictures from the warm-ups and pre-game ceremonies, the team's web site is happy to oblige.
For the record, it appears, to me at least, that the Leafs were wearing the same Reebok-made camo jersey that the Blackhawks and Ducks wore earlier this season.
Icehawks' Star Wars jerseyAlso tonight, the IHL's Port Huron Icehawks hit the ice wearing what I can only describe as a visual atrocity.
At least most teams are bringing awareness to an important cause or donating auction proceeds to a worthwhile charity. The Icehawks are just dressing up in Star Wars-themed jerseys for an evening!
All right, to be fair, these jerseys are being auctioned for charity — the Cherry Beach Council on Aging. And before you scoff, think of your grandmother.
Still, Star Wars Night? Really? TheForce.net — not kidding — posted a press release about the event, which included the following:
Star Wars jersey in actionThe Port Huron Icehawks are hosting their 3rd annual Star Wars Night on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at McMorran Arena. The players will be wearing specialty Star Wars jerseys to be auctioned off for charity. Proceeds benefit the Cherry Beach Council on Aging.
Bounty hunters from all over the galaxy will want this one-of-a-kind piece of Icehawks/Star Wars memorabilia! The action goes into hyperspeed as the Icehawks take on the Flint Generals at 7:30 p.m.
These extremely cool jerseys were designed by Great Lakes Garrison member Scott "Crow" Withers TK-1491.
Two things: 1) Playing fast and loose with the term "extremely cool," aren't we? 2) This is the third time they've done this?! It's true. A photo gallery, for those among you who would dare to boldly go where no... wait, that's not right.
Finally, we end the night with the OHL's London Knights. These guys normally wear green and gold, but when it comes to raising cash for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, they're all about the blue and gold.
For those who can't read the text on the image, here's all of the information we have relating to the special jerseys.
On Saturday, February 6th, be part of the House of Blue in support of the Make A Wish Foundation of South Western Ontario, presented by The Brick.
Knights players will wear blue jerseys which will be up for auction following the game with all proceeds going to Make A Wish. Join the London Knights and wear Blue!!!
I'll keep an eye out for pictures of these special jerseys next weekend.
Thanks to Ryan for the Knights tip, Victor for sending along the Icehawks link and Shaun for drawing my attention to the Leafs' military night jerseys.
Reader Comments (13)
BOBA FETT YAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS
Hall of Famer Johnny Bower rappelling down to the ice from the ceiling in full military garb was really something to behold. THE GUY IS LIKE 85!!!
1) The Leafs' logo should've been blue. It blends in too much with the pattern (which is kinda the idea of the point of "camouflage", I guess....... never mind.
2) I didn't know the IHL still existed (RIP, Long Beach Ice Dogs), but that jersey reminds me so much of Pumas (Mexican Primera Division)
3) The Make-A-Wish Foundation was a huge part of my life, so I support anything Make-A-Wish 110%
from the link for the star wars jerseys, looks like the game was a real barn burner. i mean not only was there only 3 people at the game but they were dressed as storm troopers shame on you ice hawks. knights jerseys would look good without the glitter
If you Check out the Hartford Wolf pack Website tomorrow, they will unveil the March of Dimes Specialty Jersey that My design Won!
Kevin, the IHL you are thinking of is dead. The current IHL is really the UHL with the historic name trying to build more interest.
Having said that, if you are going to have a Star Wars jersey, it HAD BETTER be Boba Fett! I would have made it a flat out copy of his uniform and left the logo off though...
It would have been better if it was a stormtropper or Clonetropper ( Same thing really )
First off, you gotta allow for the fact that "extremely cool" is being used on a site FOR Star Wars fans BY Star Wars fans, thus making the term highly subjective. TheForce.net isn't geared toward anyone who really doesn't give a crap about Star Wars.
Second, the jersey design was a collaboration between the team, our guy who happens to be a professional designer (yes, he actually can separate professional design work from fun stuff), and LucasFilm, Ltd. So the overall look may be atrocious to those who don't put it in the context of the entire project, but there's nothing we can do to stop that, or really spend too much more time bothering to do so (I was there as a member of the SW group that appeared at the Icehawks' game that night).
The overriding point, though, is that the kids in attendance at the game loved the whole experience, so I'm thinking we did something right. :)
I've never been a big fan of the black, green, and gold colour scheme for the London Knights, so I'm really liking the use of blue and white for their Make-A-Wish promotion. Now if only they could switch to that colour scheme on a more permanent basis...
@ Mike, we may do a StormtrOOper or ClonetrOOper theme next year or the year after. :)
The Icehawks want to do this again, so everyone brace yourselves for more jersey "atrocities." ;)
Is it just me or all the "special night shirt" are getting Freaking ridiculous !!!!!
And its getting worst night in night out !!!
Pffffff ... Design my a....
Doing design just for no purpose (or ridiculous purpose) ... you CANT call it design !!!!
I know the Port Huron jerseys are that bad. However a team that had money troubles and problems drawing fans sold out the arena. Thats kind of a big deal.
I love the Star Wars night idea so much, that I may plan a road trip. Need to bookmark the Icehawks homepage or something. My friends would definitely be interested in this...Now to googlemaps how long of a drive that is.