Loose Threads: New in the Minors
Thursday · Dec 22 · 2011 | 12:39 PM PSTBeen a bit slow news wise, lately. But there have been a few new jerseys introduced around the minor leagues I thought you guys might want to talk about. One of the best alternates in the minors has to be this one.
The ECHL's Toledo Walleye have long been mocked for their joke of a '90s-style logo — a toothless fish angrily wielding a hockey stick. (Not really helped by the addition of a Santa hat, currently seen on their website.) But I think they nailed it with this new alternate sweater. Great use of their colors and a classic design inspired by everyone's all-time favorite — the Chicago Blackhawks, who are also their NHL affiliate.
Over in the AHL, former Icethetics concept contributor Aaron Masik designed this specialty jersey for the San Antonio Rampage.
As the team's designer, Masik designs a lot of the Rampage's specialty sweaters. This one (right) was for the club's 8th annual Salute to the Badges Night.
It was worn Sat., Dec. 10 against the Peoria Rivermen, a game which San Antonio won 2-1.
Elsewhere, following the NHL Winter Classic between the Flyers and Rangers (really enjoying this season's installment of 24/7 on HBO, by the way), the sheet of ice at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia will be used once more by the AHL.
The Adirondack Phantoms and Hershey Bears will meet on Jan. 6 for an outdoor game. According to the Phantoms' website, both teams will wear special jerseys to mark the occasion.
The Bears unveiled theirs last week. You can see a rendering on their Facebook page. As for the Phantoms, I haven't been able to track down anything yet. Feel free to share a link if you've got one.
Reader Comments (15)
When Dayton had a team in the ECHL, the Dayton Bombers, we played Toledo. The Toledo Storm is what they were called, and they were so much cooler than the Walleye.
This is all I've seen about the Phantoms Outdoor Game jersey. I guess it kind of reflects the Flyers' Winter Classic Jersey...
twitter.com/#!/Porreca_Chris/status/142659001618935808/photo/1
The Central Hockey League's Texas Brahmas are doing "beer League night." Where local Dallas/Ft. Worth adult rec league teams submitted there team jersey. And there is an online vote and the winners jersey will be worn by the brahmas during warm ups during a game and then they will change into replicas of the winners jersey's and play the game and those jersey's will be auctioned off for a charity! Its a pretty neat little contest! The site to vote is www.brahmas.com/fanzone/beerleague
P.S. Everyone should vote for the rampage!
The Walleye jersey and logo should be their primary. Period.
This Toledo jersey is amazing. It might be my favorite jersey; it's better than most NHL jerseys. Beautiful.
Love the Walleye jersey. Only thing i hate is they put the Reebok logo right above the logo on the front.
Is the Reebok logo supposed to be on the front of the Walleye's jersey? Just noticed that.
I really like the Toledo Walleye jersey. A clear and solid, yet dynamic logo. Great colors and striping, and the walleye's stylized design makes it graphically sharp without sacrificing a natural, fish-like wildness. I'd buy one, for sure.
Wow, that's a beaut!
That is a mighty fine Walleye jersey. Here's hoping they wear it one of the remaining days they visit the Express.
I like that the Bears didn't go with the "retro white" on their outdoor classic jersey.
Somehow the Walleye pull it off. Not the biggest fan of the team name but this is a nice balance of traditional and modern jersey elements.
Chris, are you redesign the site for the new year.
I think this would be the best primary logo in the ECHL if they chose to give it that title.
To put it plainly, I would buy apparel with that logo. I will not buy apparel with their current logo.
I'm a Toledo native, and I've been embarrassed with the Walleye name and logo ever since they announced it. But THAT is a dynamite jersey.