Loose Threads: Looking Over October
I admit it. I failed October. It's not fair to say there was no Icethetics-related news in the tenth month of 2011. It is fair to say I was too busy to write about it. When I wasn't at work I was on vacation or watching hockey games (best excuse for this crowd, probably) or otherwise preoccupied. It was good to have that little break, but it's time to get back and update everyone on what's been going on.
Pittsburgh to Host 2012 Entry Draft
In a press conference held on Oct. 27, the NHL announced the Pittsburgh Penguins and their new CONSOL Energy Center would host the 2012 NHL Entry Draft this summer. And more pertinent to Icethetics readers, the league unveiled the event logo as well.
The logo is sticking to the same format first introduced in 2010 in Los Angeles which was followed up by the 2011 draft in Minnesota. Same font design and overall layout with some tweaks to customize the mark for the host city in some way.
Seems like the only way the NHL has to indicate the city of Pittsburgh graphically is with its bridges. The 2011 Winter Classic logo featured a stylized version of the Fort Pitt Bridge. It appears the 2012 draft logo is depicting one of the Three Sisters, or at least the tower design they all share. (Pittsburghers, correct me if I'm wrong.) Of course the skyline makes an appearance here as well.
I believe next summer's draft will be held June 22-23. Pittsburgh last hosted the NHL Draft in 1997.
Team Canada Goes Retro Again
Team Canada alums Jeff Shantz, Martin Gelinas and Gord Sherven model the new third jersey
Canada's 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship team will be sporting throwback jerseys for at least one game when the tournament kicks off in a couple months. The alternate sweater is a refined version of one worn by the team between 1982 and 1994 and was unveiled on Oct. 25.
Here's the word from Hockey Canada:
The three maple leafs on the front of the jersey represent the three steps of the Program of Excellence, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year — the regional under-17 program, National Men’s Under-18 Team and National Junior Team.
In addition, the bottom trim includes a graphic that incorporates the logos from each of the 15 IIHF World Junior Championships that Canada has won since 1982, and the current Hockey Canada logo appears on each shoulder.
I especially like the detail in the bottom trim. Wish I had a better picture of that to share.
Canadians, do you approve?
ECHL Expands to Orlando
Now we go back south of the border. Way south. Back to my home state, which has just been approved for another ECHL franchise. Orlando — home to Disney World and, at one time, the IHL's Solar Bears — will join the minor pro hockey ranks once again.
On Tuesday, the league's Board of Governors approved the Orlando expansion giving Estero's Florida Everblades their first in-state rival since the Pensacola Ice Pilots went away a few years ago. The club will play home games starting next fall at the Amway Center, which they'll share with the NBA's Orlando Magic should they solve their differences by then.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Louis Blues met for a preseason tilt at the Amway Center and I recall the Lightning broadcasters gushing about the building and how perfect it is for hockey.
At the moment, the new team doesn't have a name or logo, but their new website is decked out in Orlando Solar Bears colors. That team played their first season in 1995 and disappeared when the old International Hockey League did in 2001.
The Solar Bears had such a kooky name and logo. A polar bear wearing sunglasses? You can't beat that. Plus the color scheme seemed intent on irritating hockey traditionalists of every stripe — as if it weren't already bad enough they had to deal with hockey in Mickey Mouse land. And by the way, those colors had names like Solar Eclipse Black, Solar Purple and Sunset Orange. How can it not leave you with a silly grin? But it's certainly not the mid-90s anymore, so I'll expect something a bit tamer when the time comes.
Along with Orlando, you'll recall San Francisco will be entering the ECHL stage as well next fall. In September it was announced that the San Francisco Bulls will hit the ice for the 2012-13 season.
That's all I've got. If I've missed something, shoot me an email. (By the way, I know I said I'd get to Jacob Barrette's interview today, but I'm going to put that off until Friday in lieu of today's blog update.)
Chris
One more thing on the new ECHL club in Orlando. A reader named Justin pointed out in the comments that the domain solarbearshockey.com was bought by the new owners in September. More specifically, the buyer was The Bold Marketing Group, whose president is Bob Ohrablo, one of three partners in the group that owns the Orlando franchise. (For what it's worth, his bio says he previously worked with Howard Baldwin and the AHL's Connecticut Whale. So there's that.)
Yesterday I thought I'd follow up with a trademark search. And as luck would have it...
Filed on September 13, 2011, the ECHL now owns the Orlando Solar Bears trademark and logo. So maybe my wish to see the Solar Bears make a comeback wasn't so outlandish. Hey, they brought back the Trenton Titans. Granted, the Solar Bears haven't existed in 10 years, but I'm sure there are still plenty of fans that remember them fondly.
Unfortunately, I can't offer you a direct link to the page seen in the above screenshot, as that's not how the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) works. But a quick search will get you there.
Reader Comments (23)
The Solar Bears was a great name fot the IHL team. I didn't mind the colors at all, the color scheme looked cool as long as the jersey were traditional,ie... non piping. non sidebars etc...
That Team Canada jersey is beautiful. However, in my opinion, the design at the bottom gets lost and looks more "dirty" than anything. Then again, it's hard to judge only by that picture. Love it though and will most likely be getting one.
The Solar Bears is a great name, though. Hope they go with it again.
Have you discussed how terrible the SF Bulls logo is?
Bringing back the Solar Bears > bringing back the Winnipeg Jets
One of the best minor league names EVER
definitelym a fan of the team canada jersey and i agree that solar bears is a pretty badass name
Josh K: Sorry, forgot to include the link to the original San Francisco Bulls post. Fixed.
I like the Solar Bears logo and colours myself. It's one of my most favourites in my collection just because it was a unique look. Wouldn't mind if it was ALL brought back!
As far as the team Canada goes - the retro look is nice. It definately honours a really great period in International Canadian Junior hockey by using that logo. Not too crazy about the design at the bottom but if it tells more about the story of our countries success in international hockey - I can go with it.
Had the chance to see it in person the other day and it looks nice.
Maybe you can answer Chris. Who made the original jerseys with that logo? was it CCM then Reebok at one point?
The Canada jersey is a bit ugly, but I used to own one of those, so it's ugly in an awesome way - if that makes sense!
Thanks for the update Chris.
Just wondering will we ever see the return of Freak out Fridays, Logo Tournaments, Goalie Mask Tournaments, and other stuff such as that. Its been so long since we last had a real tounament.
I spent the last hour having fun digging through the archives. I must say I really miss the old icethetics!
I understand your busy but it would be great to have these things come back in the future!
I love the Canada design, except for the two elements of it that aren't true to the retro version: the odd designs at the bottom, and the collar. I'm never a fan of collar designs like that, and if you're going to wear a throwback, just keep the design the same, there's no need to change any of it.
Love the Canada jersey. Sure beats the green one they wore a couple years back!
As a Canadian I've got to say that Anniversary jersey is a good reach into the past and even though the logo may look ugly the rest of the jersey is great. The addition of the band at the bottom of the jersey along with the simple white line on the arms makes it look like it borrows from the the Detroit Red Wings. These additions really make the jersey look better in my option.
I'll have to see the Canada jersey in action. By itself I'm not a huge fan, but sometimes jerseys really come together when you put them with the pants, socks, gloves, helmet etc.
I did a little research and solarbearshockey.com was purchased in September by one of the 3 owners of the new Orlando team and they Thanked RDV Sports (previous owner of the Solar Bears) for working with them. It was also reported that the new team is finishing up licensing and copyright details with RDV which would imply that they are working on using an existing logo. All signs point to Orlando Solar Bears.
have always thought that our national team should wear that throwback style. well done hockey canada.
Team Canada jersey is ugly as sin. This is one case where retro is not better. Please flush that turd.
Ha! solar bears! Only in the minors
I'm not a huge fan of black in our Team Canada sweaters, but these are a step in the right direction. No black in the flag, no black in the sweater. Same goes for team USA. It's silly that they're still wearing the dark blues in international play.
what ever happened to that season preview
They had a good upclose look at the logos on the hem on TSN; folks might be able to find some good closeups there. I think it's a nice tribute, but it's also a bit "busy". The Russians have been doing this sort of thing on their international Nike jerseys for a couple of years now. As for the overall retro design, though, it's a winner. Just love it. Will be adding one for sure!
The Phoenix Polar Bears JR A hockey club might have some trouble with that trademarked logo. Their logo is an exact replaica of the Solar Bears. http://www.phoenixpolarbears.com/
^^^Wow, looks like something from fingerpainting class. Anyway, so psyched that hockey is coming back to Orlando, even more if the Solar Bears come back from the dead.