Islanders Unveil Black Third Jersey
I'm not going to say it. You know what I'm talking about.
The New York Islanders officially unveiled their new third jerseys to fans and media tonight at their team store inside the Nassau Coliseum. And as it turns out, all of the previous leaks were right on the money as the club introduces two new colors to its pallette — black and grey.
Check out the Islanders' official Flickr account for photos from the event.
The sweater will make its game debut a week from tonight when the Isles host the Philadelphia Flyers and again two days later on Black Friday. They also released a complete schedule detailing the 12 nights they'll be seen throughout the season.
- Wed., Nov. 23 – vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- Fri., Nov. 25 – vs. New Jersey Devils
- Sat., Dec. 10 – vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Fri., Dec. 23 – vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Thurs., Jan. 12 – vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- Sat., Jan. 21 – vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- Sat., Feb. 4 – vs. Buffalo Sabres
- Mon., Feb. 20 – vs. Ottawa Senators
- Sun., Mar. 4 – vs. New Jersey Devils
- Tues., Mar. 13 – vs. Washington Capitals
- Sat., Mar. 31 – vs. Boston Bruins
- Thurs., Apr. 5 – vs. Winnipeg Jets
No Western Conference teams will face the Isles in black this season.
Islanders Third Jersey Unveiling photo gallery
I stand by my earlier position on this jersey. While it may be one of the ugliest the Isles have ever worn — and that's saying something — I like that they've decided to use the third jersey for its intended purpose. It shows off an alternate look, completely different from what we're used to seeing.
Having said that, I think I know where these comments will go...
Holy crap, check out the pants!
Chris
There was another link I wanted to make sure got included in this post. After the unveiling, the Islanders posted an article about the creation of the the third jersey.
Here's an excerpt from it:
Terry Goldstein, the Islanders' Director of Retail Operations, said the Islanders started working on the Third Jersey prototype a year ago and ultimately landed on the Black Jersey after getting feedback from the Islanders organization and players.
“We view this (third jersey) as just a fun, alternative jersey,” Goldstein said. “With our white and our blue jerseys we look back at our history, and with the black jerseys, we’re looking forward.”
The Black Jersey has the team’s name across the front with the player’s number below. The numbers also appear on each sleeve as well as on the back. The top of the jersey is gray with the traditional Islanders logo on each shoulder.
The collar and edges of the sleeves are royal blue which matches the team’s royal blue helmets and gloves. The jersey has a gray, orange and blue triangle under each arm and matches the new black pants that will feature an inverted triangle directly below, creating a diamond.
The National Hockey League allows teams to introduce a new jersey idea every three years. Originally, there were nine designs for the third jersey.
The last line was an interesting tidbit for us to hang onto. Appparently third jerseys can be swapped out every three years. We already know Ottawa and Toronto have taken advantage of that rule. They each launched thirds in 2008, wore them for three seasons, and launched new ones this year.
Reader Comments (122)
Even as a Rangers, I am kinda like this. They really tried to go for a NY Knicks styled jersey. Great idea and I love the effort. around a 7/10
I would refuse to play in that uniform. I don't think there has ever been a more unnecessary third jersey, the Islanders just updated both their home and road jerseys last year. Charles Wong has really lost it, those are professional athletes for pete's sake!
They don't look as bad as I thought they would. I still don't like the grey, but I don't mind the black at all.
i think the black is a nice touch. the grey is not exactly ideal but like you said chris its a nice way to try something new, especially after they went so traditional in their new sweaters.
Im not a fan!!!! , it's still just.....not right. I dont think the islanders should be black(non islanders fan) and I think even if the uniform was for another team I still wouldnt like it.
After seeing the full uniform on the players, they are much better than what I thought they would look like. However, I don't think they are appropriate for the Islanders (maybe a better fit for the Stars?). They also seem to have the late 90's disease of black for black sake.
6/10
omg! hahahahahahahahahaha!!! If anyone else thought they had a disgusting jersey this one makes them look good. No amount of winning can possibly make that jersey look good! I wonder if these players are actually proud to wear that attrocity? that's HORRIBLE!! WORST JERSEY IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS EVER SEEN. It makes the Seattle Seahawks nuclear green look good! OUCH!
I still have trouble understanding why they didn't recreate the orange jerseys. The isles need money and this is a sad attempt at getting it.
Who in there right mind thought this was a good looking jersey? All I can say now is that I can finally bring out my Highlander jersey out of my closet!
My first thought when I saw these sweaters: They've given up on AND off the ice. I just can't stand the lack of a logo on a hockey sweater, and yes, that means I think the Blue Shirts should be using the shield or the Statue of Liberty logo on their sweaters. Full time. Toss away those silly jerseys with "Bolts" written in a slant across the front, even though they're my favorite team. As for Dallas, just do SOMETHING. This ain't the NBA.
Really, when it comes to uniform design, perhaps my favorite aspect of the hockey sweater is the logo on the front, big and bold. It's a team's identity. Anyone can slap some cut-out letters on the front of a black shirt; give me a design.
These are horrible, looks like they were created in 1998.
When Ida w the leaks I hated it! But waited to see the whole product before I gave it an official grade. Now I give it a generous 6. The total uni looks decent, colors work. What really kills it is the text. Why not put the logo there? Or a light house? An anchor? A logo!. If it had a crest it would be an 8/ 8.5. In the end it's not as bad in the total motif. I will buy it. The only isles jersey I never owned was the fisherman one, il keep it that way.
I have never understood why they are so stubborn to not use that great lighthouse logo from the past (it was the only brilliant part of the 'fisherman jersey' and remains the most spot-on logo in Islander history). Everyone I know has prayed that they'd use eventually use it for their 3rd jersey--but 3rd Jersey after 3rd Jersey, they keep missing the boat and missing another golden opportunity to engage their miraculously loyal fans. This one is the most uninspired ever. I really had believed the jersey design leaks were a hoax; a smoke screen to surprise us with a dynamic design since this one was so obviously generic. I'm a bit embarrassed by it actually. Ecchh. Disappointed again, to say the least.
Black???? Silver??? Sweet Jesus what a mess. Whatever happened to tradition? They could have went with a style similar to the old road jerseys that the team worse from 1978-79 to 1994-95....the ones they worse whne they won the stanley cups.....but no, they trot out this thing. I'll stick with my Mike Bossy rookie road jersey any day of the week. Charles Wang should be ashamed of himself. Black is not an lslanders color....period!
Just looks good. HAMMER ! Different from what the Isles did wear so far and does have a sharp, slightly agressive and modern look. I like it very much (ok ok .. I'm a Isles Fan and a huge fan of Mark Streit :-))
I don't think it looks quite as bad as the drawings. I like the socks.
Well, first of all, black looks wrong on the Islanders. But that's not the worst part. The striping looks okay on the arms, but with the entire uniform, you just see a bunch of black until you get to the end of the socks. While it can look good with minimalism on a jersey, I don't think it works on this one.
The word mark itself look ok to me, if it had an orange silouette of long Island underneath, I would've liked it. But the numbers there looks like crap. I think it would've looked much better if the numbers were in the same font as the wordmark, which it's not. Just rounded edges on the numbers would've gone a long way. Then the C & A looks way too big. While it's nice that it's the same font as the numbers, the two together pretty much makes the wordmark look even more anonymous than it already was. Making the size of the C/A smaller would've worked better. You probably could've put the wordmark/# lower on the jersey as well, think it would've looked better.
It's not as terrible as the Thrashers, Fishsticks or Sens jerseys, but I still think it looks pretty bad, too many element that's either boring or simply ugly.
I still don't get why any jersey that doesn't have a "vintage" look nowadays gets immediately written off. These jerseys are awesome! Different colors, different look, and a brand new design, all in one. I don't have a problem whatsoever with these jerseys, and I hope they stay around for a long time. I definitely like the way the colors mix through the stripes, and the use of the grey on the shoulders. Well done, Isles.
Isn't it ironic that on the day the Mets get rid of black from their traditional royal blue and orange identity, the Islanders do the EXACT opposite on the SAME day. Why not go back to the navy blue as a third? The Isles would be the only navy and orange team in the league.
Honestly, Seeing the socks/pantut s/jersey combo, I actually kinda like em. I know its like a design sin, but they look kinda flashy. Also whoever the designer was on that bottom picture; Fantastic
threads are NASTY! the grey shoulders are sick. big bright orange numbers - love it. reminds me of the Sabres unis from the 90s. great to see something different.
Yup it is just as god awful as in the leaked images. Not quite but very close to being as brutally horrible as the former Thrashers 3rd jersey. I hate it.
WOW, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, they go and add numbers under the wordmark......one word FUGLY!!!!
I posted this same comment on an earlier thread about this jersey, but I was so late to the thread that I don't think anyone saw it. I'm gonna re-post it here, just because I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts about it:
I really don't understand why this jersey is getting such bad press. Now, I'll admit up front that I'm a little biased because I think the color combination of black, blue, gray, and orange would look awesome in any design, but hear me out here. I think this jersey actually stacks up pretty well against some other jerseys that we've seen recently, for a few reasons:
1. The striping forms a coherent & symmetrical pattern. It's not a mishmash that looks like two different designers worked on different parts of the jersey independently and then threw their designs together (like, for example, the Sens' previous 3rd, the Flyers' and Oilers' original Edge jerseys, and everything the Thrashers wore in their last few years).
2. They didn't put a silly nickname on the front, like the Sens' previous 3rd and the Lightning's current 3rd.
3. (While we're on the topic of Tampa's 3rd jersey, it also doesn't randomly have an old logo that no longer fits the team's current design suite.)
4. It doesn't have important design elements that can only be seen from the back, like the Penguins' and Senators' jerseys (and the Lightning's original Edge designs).
5. It's not mind-numbingly dull and monochromatic, like the Lightning's current jerseys, the Red Wings' home jersey, and pretty much everything the Maple Leafs have ever worn.
6. It shows some design creativity, unlike the teams who are just dredging up old jerseys from the past (Edmonton, Calgary, the Isles' regular home & away jerseys, Philadelphia, Washington, & Toronto).
7. The striping design is very similar to that of the Ducks' 3rd, which seems to be pretty universally liked.
8. The third jersey provides a nice contrast with their regular home & away jerseys, unlike, say, the Canucks, who managed last year to have four different jerseys that all looked basically the same.
9. Finally, I apologize for piling on the few loyal fans that the Isles still have, but let's be honest... this team is the Titanic right now. Smallest fan base in the league, in the largest market in the league. They need to do whatever they can to attract new fans. Anything that keeps the team in the news is a good thing.
The Islanders finally got it right returning to their tried-and-true design for their home and away jerseys, but someone in the front office still insists that they've got to "uglify" things (Fishsticks 'N Waves, Orange Pointy Nightmare, Edge PiperStriper and now '90s Black with Front Numbers). Folks, this is hockey, not basketball! If the NHL could enforce player names on the backs of jerseys in the '70s, can't they disallow numbers on the front?! My eyes would be grateful.
The Islanders have been suffering from "bad jerseys" for years. This jersey...is pretty bad, but I'm willing to accept it as a 3rd/Alternate jersey only b/c with their current Home/Away jersey set...they've finally hit that right on the mark. I think it's ugly as a jersey, but looks better (still, not great...just 'better') as a complete uniform and I agree with a lot of the other comments about it looking better than it did in the leaks. I will say I think it's a better jersey than most of the Islanders jerseys in recent memory...especially the first set they had after the Reebok era took over. Those jerseys didn't do anything for me, they just had color and lines for the sake of showing off the cut of the new jersey style. I give the Isles props for getting away from that quickly and adopting the classic Islander look, so I'll let this black jersey slide a bit.
Well...that explains all the empty black space on the chest that I kept talking about (I said the full circle logo would at least fill it up) - it was for the numbers.
I don't know. As a jersey in general? It's modernized. It's running in the opposite direction of the various vintage jerseys out there. I think I need to see it on the ice to get a full opinion because there's so much black going on there that it's hard to judge completely. Obviously the front numbers remind me of the old Thrashers' jersey, which screamed "basketball."
On the ice that diamond-shape from the jersey/pants could look really really lame...or weird. I'm also not sure why they'd go grey over white, but if it's a light enough silver it might not be brutal. I'll wait and see what it looks like, and assume the creators are professionals and not crazy people.
Way to copy the Dallas Stars! Another wordmark and numeral placement?? Looks crowded!
I said it before and I'll say it again.
If I see anybody walking around wearing this jersey, I'm going to punch him square in the jaw.
terrible jersey as just about everybody said its lazy and hideous....the only thing i like is that the pant stripe and jersey stripe matchup thats about it and the only original idea they had,i think tho it could have been saved if the wordmark they used was the cursive islanders mark they used on their helmets awhile back and maybe been original and did a silver jersey instead of black while im at it why did they have to steal from the stars,ducks and defunct thrashers to get a good uni why not steal from a classic team like the canadiens or some older defunct canadien teams.....o well they must just wanna get in the black i suppose.
Awkward diamond
I think I'm gonna go ahead and say that I like the fisherman jersey 10 times more than this monstrosity.
WOW. If they get rid of the wordmark and numbers on chest and put a symbol and it would be an improvement and make it the 3rd worst jersey behind Dallas' home and away jerseys. Right now, it's the worst active jersey out there. At least now the jersey's match the team's performance, terrible.
They did an awesome job on those photos of the players wearing them. Piss poor design of a jersey though.
The NY Knicks should sue for copyright infringment! What's the deal with NHL teams wearing basketball jerseys? LOGO on the front, NAME and NUMBER on the back...simple.
The mock-ups/drawings didn't look that bad, but seeing the real thing, that is horrendous. Did OCC help with the design?
It's really not that bad. It's not bland, but it's just not really an Islanders jersey. It's better than the Bolts 3rd though. I'm just glad they didn't use vintage white, because I don't like it? Wait, can someone tell me if it is vintage white? I don't know.
I like the jersey, even though I'd much rather see a logo instead of the wordmark and numbers. However it should be stated that I apparently have horrible taste in jerseys, seeing how I'm like the only one out there who liked the current Toronto Blue Jays unis. I'm just a sucker for black/blue combinations I guess. Either way, I'm a solid, lifelong member of the Islanders faithful so I'll add this one to the collection (even though many people on this site have threatened to punch anyone seen with one) I love this team and I personally could care less what anyone else thinks of them or their jerseys.
Did Dallas relocate to long island mid season and no one knew?!?!?!?
These are atrociously sloppy, juvenile looking jerseys. The Islanders organization/front office needs to understand that deviating from their historical roots doesn't fare well with anybody, whether it be their own fans, or the rest of the league. Logically (which is something the organization clearly lacks), a new third jersey would have kept the current template, and implemented navy blue as the base colour. If they didn't want to look like the Rangers, then they should have done an orange jersey. Both looks would have been far better than this mess.
As an Islander fan, I actually like it. Better than the mock ups, for sure. It looks nice in person and looks great on the players as a whole uniform. I definitely want one.
And to anyone who says any fan wearing it is stupid, please. No one said YOU have to wear it. Get over yourselves and let people wear what they want, sheesh.
I think they owe Chuck Anderson royalties for those light-aura glamor shots.
U.S. College Jersey.
i thought this jersey design was going to be another bust, but it actually looks pretty damn good. I like it.
Right up there with the Thrashers' NASCAR third and that old Kings sweater with the purple fashion swoosh up the side Beyond fugly.
Looks absolutely horrible!! worse than the leaks. That stuff on the side??Can't wail to see them lose in these things.
I hate the Islanders so I was never likely to have much positive to say about it anyway, but this is poor. Almost as bad as the fisherman unis.
Geez, and I thought the Canucks had no identity.
They're just......so bad
Holy crap! Look at the pants! lol But I actually want them to bring back the Fish Sticks jerseys. These are awful.