Freak Out Friday XLV

It's Friday, so it's time to get freaked. This is a scary batch today because it's all real!

First, the most recent email in my inbox comes from J.D. Let me set the stage. January 31 was Golden Ice Night for the IHL's Kalamazoo Wings, sponsored by McDonald's. But it wasn't enough to just have yellow ice (really hope they used paint, by the way). No, instead every K-Wing was forced to dress like Ronald McDonald.

I totally wish I was kidding. The Wings actually took the ice against the Bloomington PrairieThunder looking like this. I think I need to set up a new section of Icethetics. Worst. Game-worn jerseys. Ever. Coming soon.

Michiganites (is that what you're called?), you can even relive it! Though, why you'd want to...

Anyway, on that same night, the ECHL was humiliating itself as well when for no apparent reason the team from Las Vegas decided to stick its nose into the issues with the Illinois governor — nearly a continent away. I told you about this last month and posted mock-ups of the specialty jerseys for Rod Blagojevich Night.

And there they are on the ice. At least it's white ice. There's no way that any number of pictures could possibly do this justice. So there's video! (A warning though, you might want to turn your speakers down.)

Best part of that is at :34 when we see the off-ice officials in the classic judge garb, robe and wig included.

But wait, now if you think the NHL is immune to that stripy nonsense, au contraire. The following night, Montreal Canadiens stepped out against the Boston Bruins wearing something that went out of style nearly 100 years ago.

Seriously? Worst. Game-worn jerseys. Ever! On the list. Personally, I think it's cool for a one-off sort of thing. But strictly objectively, holy crap.

What troubles me is how all of these monstrosities took place within two nights of each other. What? Were the hockey gods taking some time off? I know I was.

Third Jersey '09 News!

I see you guys have kept busy in my absence. What a shambles. Told you I'd be taking a break, though. Just longer than I expected. I really want to get back to things. So much interesting stuff going on that's just not getting the coverage it deserves. I'd like to take on a second writer. If you're interested, email me. But only if you're serious. Crappy writers need not apply. I also need someone dedicated, unlike myself these days.

Anyway, onto today's news. Adam writes in with 2009 third jersey info. As ever, I can't entirely vouch for its veracity, but suffice to say I have no reason to doubt it. But to protect the innocent, I won't say where this information comes from.

Among the teams adding new third jerseys for 2009-10 are Calgary, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota and Nashville. These are all teams who have previously had third jerseys but we don't yet know if they'll be going back to what the old ones or trying something new. Obviously, Minnesota will need a new design since they made their old red third their home sweater in the Age of Reebok.

Calgary could return to the Flaming Horse but I highly doubt it. Colorado and Nashville could return to burgundy and mustard, respectively. And I really hope Florida does something more than toggling the broken stick in the panther's mouth.

But wait, there's more! Edmonton fans rejoice! Allegedly, your club is getting brand new home and road jerseys. Sadly, that's all the information I have at the moment. We'll probably just see minor changes like, you know, connecting the sleeve stripes. The third jersey isn't going anywhere.

Philadelphia is pulling the old switch-a-roo and making orange their home color and black their third. Flyers fans will love that. And finally, as previously reported, the Blackhawks will swap out their current third jersey with their Winter Classic duds.

Conspicuously absent from this list is of course the Capitals and Rangers. I guess we'll have to wait even longer for that Lady Liberty crest to make its triumphant return to hockey.

All right, I hope this news somewhat makes up for my absence as of late. I plan to get to all of the jersey news I missed in that time over the next week or so. Plus, concepts! Lots have been sent in and lots will be posted.

Also we'll try to finish up this whole IceHL thing and get some new projects going. I've missed you guys and I hope you missed me too.

Hawks Plan New Third

At last I have something nice to say about the Chicago Blackhawks. According to the Daily Herald, the Hawks will join the Penguins when they put their 2009 Winter Classic throwback sweater into regular third jersey rotation beginning next fall.

Back in black: If you liked those throwback jerseys the Hawks wore in the Winter Classic, you're in luck. Those will become the Hawks' new third jersey next season, replacing the current black sweater that is identical to the home red and road white. The only addition to the jersey the Hawks wore at Wrigley Field will be tomahawks on the shoulders.

This is what I've been saying. A third jersey should be something different. It'll be wonderful to see it on the ice throughout the 2009-10 season and beyond. A Blackhawks jersey I can truly get behind. If you need a refresher, here's a photo. Just try to imagine it with those tomahawks on the shoulders.

My question to you is this: Should the Detroit Red Wings follow suit and add their Winter Classic sweater as a third jersey to be worn at, say, 5 or 6 games a year?

All-Star Update

The 2009 NHL All-Star Weekend in Montreal is just days away. In preparation for that, the NHL has announced a new wardrobe for the zebras for the special game. You can read more at NHL.com. Apparently, the new referee/linesman jerseys will feature technologically advanced fabric. Because that went over so well the last time.

Unfortunately, I've yet to come across any photos, but should any turn up, you have my email address.

While we're on the subject of all-star jerseys, a photo gallery has been assembled at NHL.com giving us an historic look back. Check it out. What I find odd about it is that it features uncredited graphics direct from NHLUniforms.com — one of my favorite sites.

Still, it's nice to see all those past sweaters. My favorite is still 2004. What's yours?

Update on Wednesday · Jan 21 · 2009 | 8:27 PM PST by Chris

Thanks to the dozen or so of you who sent emails in today. I finally just had a chance to update this post. The NHL released mock-ups of the officials' new jerseys. Check them out.

Very interesting. Sort of looks like orange hockey sticks running upside down along the refs' sleeves. But strictly from a design standpoint, I'm a fan. What do you guys think of them?

Minor Military Homage

A couple of minor league teams are paying tribute to American and Canadian military forces with special camouflage jerseys. I know it's a good cause but these are some of the most hideous sweaters I've seen.

First, the AHL's Chicago Wolves. You can read more here.

The WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings also joined the fray. Further info available here.

From the honorable to the dishonorable now.

The ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers are taking a cheap shot at an embattled governor from across the continent. Don't know why they're getting involved, but regardless the Wranglers and Bakersfield Condors will taunt Rod Blagojevich when they face off on January 31.

The Las Vegas Sun revealed the jerseys that will be worn on the ice that night. The Wranglers will don black and white striped sweaters with "ILLGOV" and the player's number on the front shoulder.

The Condors will don solid orange to mimic the jumpsuits now worn by inmates. And wait for it... the refs will wear policeman jerseys to keep everybody in line.

Oh, the campiness. 

I must say that despite my mockery, I'm actually quite impressed at the cleverness of this. Someone actually sat down and thought this through.

And yes it's goofy, but I'm sure those jerseys will more than accomplish their intended effect of giving everyone a laugh. Can't wait to see game action photos.

So do you guys have any thoughts regarding specialty jerseys like these? Personally, as long as they never find their way to the NHL, I'm not bothered. But they do provide us all good lessons in dreadful design.

I'm hoping to put together a new Concept Collage soon. Just haven't had the time to sit down and make one lately. I'll find the time eventually.

By the way, if you guys have spotted any other military-themed jerseys recently, shoot me an email with pictures or links to pictures and I'll update this post.

Update on Sunday · Jan 18 · 2009 | 8:39 AM PST by Chris

Of course we can't forget about the Brampton Battalion, whose standard home and road sweaters constantly pay military tribute.

 

If you've got any other pictures, feel free to send them along and I'll add them to this post.