NHL JerseyWatch 2013
Wednesday · May 1 · 2013 | 11:24 AM PDT
It's back! Icethetics' annual NHL JerseyWatch series picks up today with the May edition. Everything you need to know about NHL logo and uniform changes working their way through the league's pipeline. As we saw, 2012 was an off year. Not the case in 2013.
NHL JerseyWatch 2013 debuted in January as it coincided with the release of Reebok's yearly planning catalog — the document sent to retailers outlining merchandise changes in the new year. Over the past four months, we've gotten a lot of new information, so here it is.
As you dive into this post, keep in mind that it's all subject to change or delay. But as of now, these are the NHL uniform changes anticipated for the 2013-14 season.
Sabres have new alternate jersey in the works for 2013
In the 2013 NHL Season Preview, I mentioned the Buffalo Sabres sending their previous third jersey out to pasture. As it happens, its successor is already in the pipeline.
The news first broke last August when Sabres president Ted Black told Buffalo Business First writer James Fink that a new alternate uniform would be making its debut next fall. "Yes, it will be blue-and-gold and feature the team's beloved original logo," wrote Fink. "What else is on the jersey is still being determined."
Team president says it won't be a throwback
Black has been talking about the new third jersey a little more recently, too. In fact, just yesterday he was on the radio — WGR 550 in Buffalo — fielding calls from listeners when someone brought up jersey designs.
Bruce (caller): Yeah, I was wondering if the Sabres could bring back the royal blue uniforms with the gold stripes and the gold numbers and the original insignia of the Sabres on the shoulders.
Ted Black: We will have a new third jersey for next season. We're still working on the final designs of that. That probably won't be released until the summer. As I say that, it probably leaks out anyway. But, Bruce, it won't look like what you're envisioning. I think that the rest of the jerseys are gonna remain the way they are. From time to time the league does special events and do these retro jerseys so there may be opportunities to showcase the jersey that Bruce is discussing.
Is Ted inviting his Sabres back for a future Winter Classic (or Stadium Series game)? You'll recall Buffalo hosted the first one back in 2008 and did, in fact, where a retro white jersey from way back when.
In any case, while Black doesn't say what the jersey will look like, he does say what it won't look like. For those of you, like Bruce, still hoping for that original royal blue getup, forget it. Maybe the 50th anniversary in 2020. But it's not happening this year.
That may seem to go against what was written in Business First in August, but then that article was pretty vague. Will the jersey be blue? Good odds for the Sabres. Will it have the team's primary logo on it somewhere? Also good odds. That happens to describe the last third jersey as well.
I was surprised to hear Black says the final designs were still being worked on in January when the deadline for these things is typically the end of December. Maybe they got an extension. Regardless, if it doesn't leak first, we should get our first look at this jersey later this summer.
Reebok says Flames are swapping out retro third
This one definitely gets a big question mark from me. According to Reebok's catalog, the Calgary Flames are apparently eyeing a new third jersey for next season — or dropping it entirely. The manufacturer is vague about the change but does indicate a change is coming.
The logical question you have to ask is, why? Why dump the brightly-colored retro alternate in the first place? Are fans complaining about it? Are they not buying them? Can't imagine either of those things are true. Or that a new Flames third jersey would be any color but black. Which will excite almost none of you.
Here's my hope. Maybe the NHL is wising up to the retro trend and allowing teams a "fourth" throwback jersey. That would allow the Flames to keep their 1980s-style red sweater while also experimenting with a new third design. Then maybe they'll add a few "Retro Nights" throughout the season. On those nights, every team that has one gets to break out their throwback.
But that's all just wishful thinking. Would be nice though, right? And for what it's worth, we've had no confirmation yet from the Flames that a new sweater is forthcoming.
Reebok indicates new home/roads for Hurricanes
That's right, 16 years after arriving from Hartford, the Carolina Hurricanes may be getting another uniform overhaul. Or so says Reebok, anyway. The manufacturer is preparing retailers for possible new home and road jerseys. However, the alternate appears to be remaining the same.
There haven't been any rumors about the Hurricanes looking to redesign their sweaters, so it could be that they're just simplifying their designs next season. The fact that the third jersey isn't changing suggests the colors and logos will be left alone for now.
What do you imagine the Canes could have in store for 2013?
Stars changing everything but their name in 2013
The Dallas Stars have been contemplating new uniforms for a couple of years now, but a recent ownership change delayed things a bit. However, all new logos and sweaters are now on track for next fall, according to owner Tom Gaglardi.
During a radio interview back in November, Gaglardi first talked about wanting new uniforms for the Stars. At that point he also mentioned it was possible a new logo would be introduced as well. Around that same time, Stars Inside Edge blogger Mark Stepneski confirmed the team had looked at design proposals.
"Something completely new" coming in early June
Yesterday, Dallas Morning News beat writer Mike Heika revealed some intriguing details via Twitter. He says the new look will be unveiled in just a month from now — first week of June to be specific.
Many of you have asked. Stars expect to unveil new uniform and logo first week of June.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) April 30, 2013
Heika followed up that tweet a couple hours later by saying the team has been keeping the new designs "very hush-hush" and that he hasn't seen it yet. He also said he's expecting "something completely new."
Back in January, Heika provided some details about the forthcoming revamp. For one thing, green will be the Stars' dominant color going forward. Black has had that role for most of the past 20 years. He confirmed there will definitely be a new logo along with a drastically different look from the Stars' current branding.
This has got to be the change I'm most excited about. After all, Dallas has needed a new look for a long time. They're still wearing what the North Stars wore their last season in Minnesota.
Wild road jersey to be "revamped" this fall
During an online chat with readers in early April, Minneapolis StarTribune scribe Michael Russo confirmed the Minnesota Wild will "revamp" their white road jersey for next season (at 2:04pm). He also confirmed the red homes and green thirds will be unchanged.
Just after Christmas, word first leaked out that the Wild were conducting surveys among fans to determine a new design for their road uniforms. They even had mock-ups to show off — some of which were described in that blog post.
According to one Icethetics reader:
One was a white sweater with the large, Wild head crest on the front, vertical stripes are gone. Replaced with two horizontal green stripes on the arms. The "red was gone" from the shoulder yoke, but didn't specify whether the shoulders had any color left.
The other option was basically a reverse of the current alternates. Antique white base with the Minnesota Wild script and green accents.
The first one sounds better. The final design will probably be revealed some time this summer. My bet is they'll unveil it at the draft and hand it to their first pick of 2013. (Well, that or the green one.)
Could new AHL jersey signal direction?
Of note is the fact that the Wild just relocated their AHL affiliate from Houston to Des Moines, renaming them the Iowa Wild. The club's new white sweater was unveiled last week and looks a lot like the alternate uniform the Aeros used to wear.
The question is, was this jersey designed to match Iowa's NHL parent club? It would seem strange given that the AHL team unveiled it first. And technically the look has been around a lot longer in Houston. But it is something to keep in mind while speculating on the new look.
Reebok lists new home/road set for Canadiens
Hold everything. That's sacrilege, right? Could the Montreal Canadiens really be thinking about altering their classic home and road jerseys in some way? You wouldn't think so, but there they are on Reebok's list.
In all likelihood, the changes won't be significant. If anything, it'll probably be nothing more than to add a lace-up collar like they used to have in the old days. I can't imagine changing any colors or striping — uniform elements that have almost never been touched. Ever.
It's been a long time since the Habs made any real changes to their uniforms. The red shoulder yoke was added to the white jersey in 1941. They went with a blue chest stripe and no shoulder colors for a few years from 1944 to 1947 before going back to the design we know today.
And as for the red jersey, it has remained exactly the same since the start of the NHL in 1917 — back when hockey sweaters were actual sweaters. And for whatever it's worth they had the lace-up collar going from 1941 to 1975. (All that info gathered from NHLUniforms.com, by the way.)
Penguins to go without third jersey next season
Reebok listed the Pittsburgh Penguins in January as one of the team's mulling a third jersey change for 2013-14. Then about a month ago we got confirmation from Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Rob Rossi that the team will be skipping the alternate jersey for a season.
Rossi also said there may be a new one in the future. I have no doubt whatsoever that's true. And then just today, something interesting happened.
The NHL officially confirmed its rumored Stadium Series with the announcement the Penguins would take on the Chicago Blackhawks at Soldier Field on March 1, 2014. The league didn't say anything about whether special jerseys would be worn for the game, but what's an outdoor game without them, right?
The good news is that the Penguins still have a lot of options in their historical closet. They've changed their uniforms numerous times over the years. But I know many fans would like to see them roll back the clock a couple of decades to sport something similar to what Lemieux and friends wore whilst leading the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
The Pens previous alternate jerseys were born at their outdoor game appearances in 2008 and 2011 — with different blue jerseys each time. And then in seasons following each Winter Classic, the jerseys were adopted as alternates and used another dozen or so times per season.
Reebok indicates Sharks revamping home/road uniforms
Reebok's 2013 catalog has one last surprise for us. Like the Hurricanes and Canadiens, the San Jose Sharks are apparently looking at new or modified home and road sweaters for the fall. And also like the Canes, the black third jersey seems to be sticking around.
This is unexpected because the Sharks just got new uniforms (and a new logo) back in 2007. That leads me to think the changes — if true — won't be significant. So what could they be?
There have been many rumors floating around the past few months. Might they be dropping the orange from the jerseys? Or perhaps simply swapping out new shoulder patches? It would definitely be nice to see them lose the chest number on the front of the uniforms. But real details are scarce fior now.
Winter Classic staying in Michigan in 2014
On April 7, the NHL officially announced the next Winter Classic has been rescheduled for Jan. 1, 2014 at The Big House in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Detroit Red Wings will be hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. The league also took the opportunity to unveil both jerseys.
It'll be the first time in a long time we've seen an NHL game without one of the teams wearing white. Can't wait!
Game to be one of six played outdoors next season
As I mentioned earlier, the NHL also announced today that there will be a number of other outdoor games to take place next winter. The Penguins-Blackhawks game at Soldier Field on Mar. 1 was first to be revealed in the new Stadium Series.
Other sources have reported on four other games in the works, including the NHL's third Heritage Classic, which will have the Vancouver Canucks hosting the Ottawa Senators. Both teams have great jersey histories to borrow from. Additionally, the Ducks, Kings, Rangers, Islanders and Devils are slated to be involved in the Stadium Series but no word yet on whether special jerseys will be used for those games.
No All-Star Game expected in 2014 due to Olympics
Normally, we don't get an NHL All-Star Game in the same year as the Winter Olympics. The league takes a break to allow its players to skate for their countries for a few weeks. In 2014, Sochi, Russia will host the games. And while they're still hashing out the details, I'd be surprised if the NHL doesn't send their players.
This means Columbus will have to wait until 2015 at the earliest to get its hosting duties back — which it lost due to the lockout this season. Though the wait could be longer. During the last lockout, the 2005 All-Star Game was to be hosted by Atlanta. In 2006, Phoenix was slated to get the event — but it was canceled to make time for the Olympics.
Atlanta eventually did get the game in 2008. Phoenix is still waiting. We'll wait and see what happens in Columbus. But it's probably a safe bet that they'll get the next one — whenever that may be.
Hope you enjoyed the second edition of NHL JerseyWatch 2013. Check back for regular updates on the blog as they're available.
Reader Comments (24)
Nothing for the Ducks? I had heard a rumor that they were going 3rds full time next year.
Matt: Not all rumors are true. According to Reebok, no changes for the Ducks this year.
I'd expect the Ducks to go full-time on the thirds if/when the white version starts to leak- kinda like the Kings. So i'd anticipate seeing that rumor here first, then the Ducks going full-time on the current thirds.
Lookng forward to seeing several Stadium Series jersey's. Would be great if Kings/Ducks went back to '93-'94 for there game. Or something with a baseball theme. Would love to see concepts on basebeall style jreseys for these teams.
As a Canadiens fan, I really hope their jersey update doesn't change anything at all of their awesome jersey! :)
Phoneix was going to get the 2011 game, but then the bankruptcy mess happened, and as a result the league's not going to consider them until they get the ownership situation finalized.
Calgary - I would really, really, really love for them to follow the Oilers' example, and make the current third the new regular home jersey.
Minnesota - please, please, PLEASE don't do a "wheat" jersey. Even if it is a legitimate part of your team's color profile, just please don't go there.
Winter Classic - I had the chance this weekend to see the retail editions of these jerseys (Premiere versions of both, and an Edge of the Wings' version). I'm more convinced than ever that Toronto nailed it, and Detroit whiffed.
I will give the Wings credit for going with felt-like cresting, but having seen it, and even tried it on, I'm only further galvanized in my belief that "vintage"/"antique white" is an incredibly stupid idea, worse even than the Islanders' fisherman unis. I would like to know whose idea it was to make a modern-day 21st century uniform look deliberately old, so I could soak every white piece of clothing he owns in a vat of cat piss.
If you ask me, it's Vancouver that needs a redesign badly. Unlike some, I love the orca logo, but there is no harmony between their logo (blue, navy, and silver) and their uniform colours (blue and green).
Definitely bummed that the Ducks aren't dropping their home/road jerseys. They desperately need to (I saw that while owning numerous...). Also can't wait to (hopefully) see all the special jerseys for the outdoor games!
nothing for the sens?
Is there an image that says the Flames are only dropping their thirds? Or could they be promoting it to home full time and making a white version? That would rule.
Regarding the Canadiens - I would expect the changes to be minor; I tend to agree that they might go to a lace-up collar or maybe change to a plainer coller (just white on the red jersey and just red on the white jersey like they briefly wore in the 1970s). The only other change I could see would be on the red jersey - right now the sleeve stripes are that Reebok Edge style where the blue stripe "expands" so it is wider on the "back" (elbow) side of the sleeve than on the "front"; I could see them going back to a more traditional stripe design where the blue stripe is a uniform size as it was on their pre-Edge jerseys. For example the Devils jerseys, Canucks blue jerseys and the Kings white jerseys have a pre-Edge style sleeve stripe width (while the Kings black jerseys have the Edge-style sleeve stripe that expands).
I'm not a Habs fan at all, but I've always thought it would be cool if their white jerseys had the stripe across the middle like their dark jerseys. But using the blue stripe with red borders (as in the 1944-47 whites) looks off because it makes blue look like their primary colour. What if their white jerseys had a red stripe across the middle with blue borders?
Let's hope the only change to Sharks is ditching the numbers on the front of the jersey. Imagine what that thing would look like if they made the Finals and had to throw on another patch.
I thought that the Islanders and Los Angeles were dropping the thirds while Winnipeg was supposed to get one?
I'd love to see the Pens go with the Sunday variant of the jersey they wore from 82-85. http://pittsburghhockey.net/old-site/PensPages/PensJerseyHistory/PensERA/85-90Jerseys.html
Dear San Jose: lose the orange, scrap those jerseys, and come up with something not ugly. Gray/silver wasn't broke, so why fix it? We went from 1st to worst in the style department, even though I dig the new logos. Those sweaters though. Ugh.
Buffalo - Meh. I'm not way too excited, but any third is better than none. I'm not the biggest fan of their current jerseys, the navy blue just doesn't work for me, and the piping just kills it. I was hoping the third would be a late 90's throwback, like I think there should be more of these days. I guess I can say I'm biased in the sense that most of my favorite jerseys come from the late 90's, but nevertheless, I hope to see more of these in the future. On the topic of the Sabres, I'd still like a jersey more accurate of their originals than the current set.
Calgary - I too am surprised they probably are dropping the 80's classic jersey. It's a great simplistic design, and one of their best jerseys ever. I would kinda like a black sweater as an alternate again. Maybe resurrecting the horse logo (I do not think it is ridiculous as a lot of people have portrayed it). It was a cool design that established the Flames' 2000-2007 sweaters with the cool symmetric V design. I personally liked their late 90's designs better, but the 00-07 ones are still above average. All in all, I'm itching to see what their new third looks like, and I am all for the idea of fourth jerseys and "Retro Nights".
Carolina - I'm a little sad the designs that have barely been touched since their birth in 1998 are going to get a major change. One of the best designs in the league, in my opinion. I'm not sure if it really is time for a change, I wouldn't consider to look to be very outdated, if at all. The logos should stay, I think, and the fact that it's most likely the case is a good sign.
Dallas - The change I am most happy about. Their current uniforms is perhaps their saddest move in the team's history, concerning their identity (other than the Mooterus, of course). They are unnecessarily bland in the sense that it doesn't reflect the creativity of the logos at all. Anything can happen with this change, and so I am anticipating whatever comes out of it. I'm hoping they bring back the star design uniforms they wore from the late 90's-2007.
Minnesota - I'm sad to see the current road sweater go. It's the last piece of identity that have from their first year, other than the primary logo. The old script they had since 2000 was excellent, but was discontinued in 2010. Whatever we see, I hope it's the first out of the two concepts brought up, the second one, pretty much the I-Wild's new white jersey, isn't too good IMO.
Montreal - As long as the current jersey set has existed, I do not want them to be touched. At all. They've stood the test of time for more than a half century, and the home is one of the best and most historic uniforms in all of sports. If anything, I'd settle for a minor change like the collar type, but anything else should be the same for the rest if eternity.
Pittsburgh - I have mixed reactions from their lack of a third sweater next year. I liked the two Classic jerseys they wore, but to me, I think they should only be worn on special nights, such as the idea of "Retro Nights" and the Winter/Heritage Classic games. I'm surprised they didn't bring back the 80's jerseys, those are real nice. Though, what I want most of all is for them to resurrect the Robo Penguin. One of my favorite logos and jersey designs in sports ever, and I think they need it's the Penguin era with the least amount of attention, and is underrated in my book. I'd be nothing but happy to see them return one day. Another one of my favorite Pens sweater sets is the 1977-80 ones, the best of the blue era. Look at them compared to earlier Pens jerseys and you'll probably see what I mean.
San Jose - Firstly, I must say I'm saddened they're keeping their alternates. They're bland, to me. They reflect their old alternates, which are pretty much the same level of meh to me. On the topic of their home/away set, I would really like to see orange go. Their previous identity consisted of solely white, teal and black, and that alone was a good color scheme. Orange was an okay highlight to the scheme, for a bit, though. I want them to go back to their roots. A replica of their inaugural sweaters would be really nice, if not their late 90's set, which would be better, IMO.
Winter Classic - Love the uniforms, and I like the concept of creating fauxbacks (fantasy throwback uniforms that are completely original, yet have that vintage feel). I'm torn between resurrecting old uniforms and making original ones. Nevertheless, I'll be okay with whatever they do. Would have preferred to see the 80's Leafs uniforms in the Classic instead of the Alumni game. Anyways, I like the red vs. blue concept here. White jerseys in sports aren't way too necessary, I like the idea of having both jerseys colored in a set. The Pens, Kings and Seals all did it at one point, and it obviously wasn't too confusing. Maybe have two away jerseys, one white and one colored, maybe they can alternate between the two. In any case, I'm still fine with the system as it is right now. Good to see a game where both teams have colored unis.
Stadium Classic- I'm very excited about this. In short, I'd like to see all of them wear 90's throwbacks, but that'll likely never happen, especially Anaheim wearing a Mighty Ducks jersey, as Disney sold the franchise but kept the rights in 2006 (though the Ducks still use the Mighty Ducks logo in their alternate logo right now, maybe Disney just still owns the original uniform design and colors).
Sochi 2014 Olympics - Nothing to say here, but in relation to the subject, will you give us the details on the Olympic sweaters the countries will wear, or at least during qualification? Thanks.
Nascarfan is right.
The Buffalo piping has to go. And it should take the pit stains with it. The Sabres ought to keep things simple and lose the grey "highlighting" as well. The team's original sweaters in the 70s were sizzling.
I don't know what Calgary has been trying to do. Their current thirds based on their original are beautiful. Their Canada/Alberta flag shoulder patches are too much and their various experiments over the years with diagonal striping have been sad.
The original North Stars sweaters are better than anything the Wild or the Dallas Stars have come up with.
I really don't know if I should be excited or dreading what some of these teams are doing for uniforms next season. To each, their own but I'm sick of hearing about how teams should modernize their uniforms. If a set of uniforms look good and help a team stand out from the rest, like Calgary's throwback thirds, why fix what isn't broken. Upgrading old looks to the Edge uniform is already more than enough of a modernization to an old uniform. I hope the Habs change their collar to blue-white-blue and remove the color gap on the numbers of their road jersey and straighten the stripes on the arms.
@Chris - any word regarding the Islanders ditching their black alt jersey? I recall hearing a rumor about that some time ago (can't remember when and where). I'm sure I aint alone on this, but I really hope they drop that fugly mess of a jersey.
I hope San Jose and Anaheim get rid of the orange in their jerseys. It is brutal.
Regarding San Jose and Minnesota, I think it's worth pointing out what these two teams are doing in the playoffs as potential clues. You are only allowed 2 jerseys in the playoffs and the Wild have chosen their green third for home games. So, it wouldn't surprise me if the new white jerseys are (as mentioned in the post) the reverse of those, with the team wearing the red home jersey just for next year and then retiring it so the green one can take over.
As for the Sharks, this is the third year in a row they have opted for their black alternates at home in the playoffs. Why keep doing that (especially this year) unless you are planning a change. The Kings did the exact same thing and look what they are wearing now. I know teal is more the Sharks colour, but could definitely see the black becoming the new home jersey, along with a white version this summer.
I was thinking about Calgary and how they are swapping out their current third jersey. I thought about it and I have a feeling that all we will see is that the Flames current alternate uniform will become their new home and their home become their alternate. Of course I could be wrong but when it says the third is being swapped out, it sounds like they will swap jerseys and phase the current edge ones out, like the Oilers just did last year.
I agree with all the posts regarding the Flames swapping the alternative sweaters for the everyday Home and Away, like Edmonton did last year. Fans are buying those retro jerseys nearly three-to-one over the goofy Canada/Alberta Flag sweaters, they actually sold out at one point this year when the lockout finished and everyone got 50% on all merchandise at the Flames fanatic. The players also seem to play much better in the retro’s and most stock photos of the players on various sites have them appearing more often than not, in the retro’s over the everyday ones as well. Also the Red Gloves and Helmets that go along with them are just sick!!!!
I'm still kind of hanging onto hope that the Oilers will have an orange WHA style alternate someday...