Loose Threads: Jets, Pens, Avs & Sens
I'm working on a huge Icethetics side project right now that should be released in the next few weeks. So while there are a number of things to cover today, I'm going to make this post quick.
Jets Hold Real Jerseys a Week
Young Jets get practice unisWinnipeg Jets players took the ice competitively for the first time yesterday in the Young Stars Tournament, though not wearing their new jerseys as we expected. Instead they donned practice jerseys with some extra patches sewn on.
So after weeks of listening to the team say the new uniforms had to be unveiled before the tournament so the players could wear them, we still have to wait a week to see them in action.
The following comes from the game recap on the Jets' official website:
The young stars did not debut the new Jets sweaters, instead wearing practice jerseys. The Winnipeg Jets will wear their new jerseys for the first time on September 20th against Columbus.
We've waited this long. What's another week?
Some of you have written in asking about the sock design — as if that could single-handedly change the entire look of the uniform. But as you can see in this photo, the sock stripes appear to match the sleeve stripes from the real uniforms.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I'm surprised that a week after the jersey was unveiled, only one person has asked what I think of it. Don't get me wrong, you'll still get my take eventually — just not yet. I was going to write something up last week but I'm holding off to see the jerseys in action before I dive in with my critique. It may surprise you, actually. May.
For now, though, I have a couple of third jersey schedules to share.
Penguins Officially Announce New 3rd
We've kind of taken for granted all summer that the Pittsburgh Penguins would be switching their third jersey to their most recent Winter Classic sweater. It was never really official until today.
The Pens said in the release that fans told them "they love the new look, the new shade of blue, and the blending of different eras of Penguins hockey." Based on what I've read from Penguins fans on this site, it sounds to me like you've been telling them you love the black and gold from the late 1980s. But they can't seem to hear that for some reason.
Sidney CrosbyNo matter. I think it's a great looking uniform. And came the schedule for the new third jersey in the 2011-12 season. We'll be seeing it for 12 home games:
- Sat., Oct. 15 – vs. Buffalo Sabres
- Thu. Oct. 27 – vs. New York Islanders
- Tues., Nov. 15 – vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Fri., Nov. 25 – vs. Ottawa Senators
- Tues., Dec. 27 – vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- Fri., Jan. 6 – vs. New York Rangers
- Sat., Jan. 7 – vs. New Jersey Devils
- Fri., Jan. 20 – vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Sat., Feb. 11 – vs. Winnipeg Jets
- Sun., Feb. 12 – vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
- Wed., Mar. 7 – vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Thu., Mar. 22 – vs. Nashville Predators
Nice spread over the course of the season. I like that they're wearing them on a couple of back-to-back nights, and of course, against my Tampa Bay Lightning. That'll be one good-looking hockey game.
There's another third jersey schedule floating around out there...
Avalanche Set 2011-12 Third Jersey Dates
The Colorado Avalanche recently posted the game schedule for their blue alternate jersey, which will be entering its third season in use.
Interestingly, they even included details about the design that I don't remember reading when it was unveiled in 2009. They include information about the designers and prototypes. Have a read:
The third jersey design is a collaboration of ideas from the Colorado Avalanche (including Kroenke Sports Enterprises Creative Imaging), the National Hockey League and Reebok. ... Two rounds of sweater prototypes were tested and ran on ice before the final version was made.
Milan HejdukNow here are the 12 home dates in which the sweater will see action during the coming season:
- Fri., Oct. 28 – vs. Edmonton Oilers
- Wed., Nov. 2 – vs. Phoenix Coyotes
- Wed., Nov. 23 – vs. Vancouver Canucks
- Fri., Dec. 2 – vs. St. Louis Blues
- Tue., Dec. 13 – vs. San Jose Sharks
- Tue., Dec. 27 – vs. Winnipeg Jets
- Wed., Jan. 18 – vs. Florida Panthers
- Thu., Feb. 2 – vs. Minnesota Wild
- Mon., Feb. 27 – vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Sat., Mar. 10 – vs. Edmonton Oilers
- Tue., Mar. 20 – vs. Calgary Flames
- Thu., Apr. 5 – vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Panthers will be the only true Eastern Conference team to see the Avs sporting blue this year. They have Stanley Cup Final history together. (Though I guess strictly speaking, the Jets are still in the East for this year.)
One final item for today...
Sens Give Another Glimpse of Heritage
One final item for today. A reader tweeted a link to a page on the Ottawa Senators website, offering the new Heritage Jersey for sale without really showing it to us.
From what I can tell, this is the same photo that was used in the team's own sneak peek way back in March. Only difference is now we get it in full color without any distortion from projector screens or compressed Flash video.
First, you can see that vintage white is, in fact, in use. And second, the shoulder patches seem to contradict my earlier report which said that they were bilingual, English on the right shoulder, French on the left.
I'm staring at a photo (which I can't show you until after the official unveiling) that clearly shows one patch is in French, so what's the deal? One of two things: either 1) there was a change made between this photo and that one, or 2) we're actually looking at two jerseys laying side-by-side in this photo. It's hard to tell for sure on that.
Meanwhile, the Senators say the Heritage Jersey will be available on Oct. 1, meaning the official reveal will have to take place on or before that date. I'll be keeping an eye on it, obviously.
Chris
And with a definitive answer to question above, today the Senators announced that the Heritage Jersey will be unveiled on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Specifically, it will be shown to fans at the Puck Drop event at Scotiabank Place. Even more specifically, the unveiling itself will happen at 10:30 AM.
If you've been keeping an eye on the blog, you already know what the jersey will look like, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how it looks on the players.
I'll be sure to share pictures with you that morning. And to any Sens fans that will be in attendance, feel free to send along any photos of your own.
Reader Comments (17)
I'm going to miss the powder blue Pens jersey. It was the best third in the league IMO. RIP
Will ther be dark blue or light blue helmets with the home unis? Been assuming dark blue helmets and socks but have seen no confirmation yet.
I'd love to see a "late 80s" inspired Pens jersey. Loved that uniform.
I played my first game of NHL 12 against the Jets last night (don't get your panties in a knot, EA, it was after midnight), and I gotta say, not only am I not a big fan if their jersey, I'm also not liking the way the Reebok wordmark appears. There seems to be this barely noticeable, but perfectly rectangular (hard corners) frame around each jersey's "Reebok" tag that makes them all look like they were sewn over the top of thr logo last minute. Very unprofessional looking.
Are you kidding? We're all waiting for your take on the Jets jerseys!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Yeah, I'm not happy that the new Pens third is going to be that fauxback mashup with that horrible, horrible color of a "vintage" shade that looks like crap. It would be improved ten times if they just used real white instead of that fake-aged garbage.
I'm not sure how you saw the Jet's unis, TorontoSharksFan, they aren't in NHL 12.
so TorontoSharksFan, exactly how does your copy of NHL12 have the jets jerseys when nobody else has them included until the first update?
If you thought the Jets wearing practice jerseys at the Penticton rookie tournament is bad, the Victoria Royals of the WHL have been wearing practice jerseys for all their pre-season games thus far, and still haven't unveiled their white jersey, as of 9/14 at about 4am EST, as I type this.
I'm with Kris on this one. Why, oh why did the Pens decide to retire the powder blue jersey?? Big mistake.
Seriously dude, it's been driving me nuts that you haven't commented on the Jets jerseys! Suffice it to say, I think the best designs were posted at icethetics.com. Here's hoping they look better on tv.
I presume that the jerseys are being held so that the real team (or at least the preseason hopefuls) gets to be the first to appear in them rather than the rookies, many of whom will never even sniff a regular season game. Same thing Tampa is doing.
Just to clarify, because I wrote it really awkwardly. NHL 12 DOES NOT yet contain either Jets' jersey, the Panthers' road jersey, or the Islanders' third. In the Jets section you can either wear the generic NHL jerseys they gave draftees, or a throwback Jets' uniform. These jerseys can also be worn by the Coyotes.
I have always liked how Icethetics really shows off uniforms by editing photos so the player is in colour and everything else is B&W. Any reason that wasn't done for the Jets player at the top of the page?
Its good that the rookies dont get to wear the new Jets' uniforms. The guys that make the team should get the honour of wearing the first uniforms.
Anyone else find it funny that the Jets' first game is against Columbus? The two teams now have the most similar road jerseys in the league, imo. It will look confusing when the play.
Seriously Chris ? You were surprised that no one asked you for your take on the jerseys? Seriouslyyyyy? Everyone is waiting for it.
It is an assumed question and your earlier post said you were taking some time to put it together. So no one wanted to rush you.
Everyone is waiting for your analysis.
This is the biggest one you will do. It isn't some fly by night third jersey, it is the official jersey of a team and you have built up a rep of being one of the best in business of evaluating jersey design.