Rangers To Honor Graves

On February 3, the New York Rangers will send No. 9 up to the rafters in honor of Adam Graves. That in and of itself would be a legitimate Icethetics topic. But what I want to talk about is the incredibly cool online photo mosaic tribute to Graves. 

Rangers fans can upload photos to the web site and they become part of the wall. How cool is that?

In unrelated news, I'm curious how Canucks fans are enjoying seeing Mats Sundin in blue and green.

Comments?

IceHL Trudges On

It's been a while since I've been able to send you guys to the IceHL page to rate the next series of logos for our fantasy league. But now is time now to do just that. The Southeast Division — the final division — is all set. In total there 46 logos to rate for the five different teams — and no team with fewer than seven choices thanks to our awesome designers!

The ratings period closes on Sunday, January 18. Happy voting!

Freak Out Friday XLIV

The first legitimate Freak Out Friday in nearly three months isn't even getting posted on a Friday. But I promised you guys I'd have something, so rather than waiting a week, here it is.

Obviously I have to start with something that was printed in the Vancouver Sun around the time of the Canucks' third jersey release. The newspaper asked kids to create an alternate jersey for their Canucks — and wait until you see them.

I don't mean to make fun of the kids so much as those of you that like to belittle professional artwork that isn't to your particular taste by saying it looks like a 5-year-old made it. These were made by 8- and 10-year-olds. Yeah.

But since we're on the subject, you guys like any of these for a future alternate or one-off sweater?

Only got a few more items tonight. The Icethetics cup doesn't exactly runneth over in quality Freak Out art these days, despite the public outcry for it.

I like this one, particularly because I've always been a fan of that king head logo. As much as he may look like the creepy Burger King mascot, I just feel like it's the next best representation of a team called the Kings.

Second obviously to a crown. That pretty much goes without saying.

The fact that it's on a playing card — I'm surprised something like this hasn't shown up in my inbox sooner. But this is quality work nevertheless.

I even think we could've gone with all the extra colors you see on an actual card. And throw a few suits in there for good measure.

But let's move on. The Pittsburgh Penguins are the next topic of discussion.

Sometimes a revamped logo works. Sometimes, well, I'm not one to make generalizations about the sexual preferences of penguins — but this one is so gay.

He's got the little scarf, the small but toned muscular arms, puffed up chest and absurdly skinny waist. He's even got that look like he knows I'm talking about him and doesn't like it one bit.

No disrespect to the designer or anything, of course. Just some random observations.

The last two things I have for you are photographs. One you'll quickly notice is doctored to prove a point. The other you'll wish was.

Ever get the feeling the Thrashers' third jersey looks out of place on the ice? Wonder where it belongs? Wonder no more.

I've never seen that sweater look more at home.

And finally, Sens fans, there may well be something you didn't know about Anton Volchenkov and Jason Spezza.

I think Volchenkov's face pretty much says it all.

And I'll leave you with that tonight. That visual. Try to sleep now, suckers.

Catching Up With The Minors

I've taken on a pair of minor league correspondents on a trial basis to keep Icethetics readers up to date on the state of the AHL and ECHL. Writing for the AHL is James and for the ECHL Yancy.

First, James' update. He writes in to say the AHL's all-star jerseys are now available in the league's online store.

Here, you can see the Canadian sweater...

...and here PlanetUSA's.

Not much to speak of but there they are.

Yancy writes in with news from the ECHL. On January 3, the Florida Everblades and Charlotte Checkers participated in an NHL jersey night. The clubs wore the sweaters of their respective big league affiliates.

© Al Larson Photo

Above you can see Danick Bouchard in a Hurricanes sweater and Julien Brouillette donning Rangers duds. The photo comes from Everblades team photographer Al Larson. 

Yancy points out that this gives 'Canes fans an opportunity to see what their team might look like in black pants. An unusual sight, to be sure. If you're interested in buying yourself one of Everblades/Hurricanes jerseys, the team is holding an online auction that runs through January 15.

My thanks to James and Yancy for keeping us updated. I hope to have news items from them at least once a week.

Speechless...

Hey guys. Had a chance to read some of the comments for the first time in weeks. A little speechless. I've been running this site in some form nonstop for nearly two years without a break. I think one was in order. Planning to get back into the swing of things soon. In the meantime, bear with me a little.

There's no news right now and concept submissions are few and far between as of late. I don't know what you'd like me to post. Plus, whoever said I have the attention span of a gnat got it right on. I'm usually involved in all sorts of projects at any given moment and I'm surprised I've run this site for as long as I have. Anyway, no need to go on about it.

I have a special Freak Out Friday post for you tomorrow. We'll start logo ratings for the final division of the IceHL this weekend before moving into the next phase of that project. And Featured Artists, Logo & Uniform Histories and so on as time permits.

I've also got some minor league correspondents who I'll be taking on to provide a more well-rounded look at North American hockey. Should see something from them here in the morning.