Anaheim Preps Throwback Night

Photo from Anaheim Ducks

Mighty Ducks jerseys will see action again this Sunday

It's been seven years since we last saw them take the ice. But in just two days, the Anaheim Ducks will revive the Mighty Ducks for one game this weekend. On Sunday, the Ducks will host Throwback Night against the Ottawa Senators.

Photo from Brad Kirchhofer

Last month, Ducks season ticket holder Brad Kirchhofer sent in this photo of the game ticket, which features the classic Mighty Ducks logo. He also pointed out a couple of other ways the throwback logo was being used as part of the team's 20th anniversary promotions.

Photos from Anaheim Ducks

This week, the old eggplant and jade starting showing up at Ducks practices so players could break in their new gear before Sunday. We got a glimpse and gloves and pants on Tuesday and Wednesday. (There are plenty more photos at those two links if you're interested.)

It's my understanding, however, that the team will be wear Reebok Edge versions of the old Mighty Ducks jerseys, meaning we should see an updated collar and cut. But otherwise, it should be the spitting image of the old eggplant jersey.

Photos from Anaheim Ducks

The goalies got to test out their new equipment as well. The shots on the left and center are Viktor Fasth, who modeled his mask after Guy Hebert's. On the right, you can see Jonas Hiller in his throwback pads. The Ducks tweeted a photo of Hiller in his mask earlier today.

If all this has you feeling nostalgic, I dug up some photos of current Ducks players in the classic threads.

That's Francois Beauchemin, Corey Perry — as No. 61! — and Teemu Selanne as No. 13. Think of this as a sneak peek of what's to come on Sunday — only pre-Edge. Hopefully it won't look too much different.

Lastly, for non-Ducks fans, how about a look at a few familiar faces who you perhaps didn't know — or forgot — once donned the eggplant and jade?

That's Joffrey Lupul, Chris Kunitz and Sergei Fedorov. Truth be told, before I found that photo, I didn't know Lupul had played for Anaheim. But he did for a couple seasons a decade ago.

So who's excited for Sunday?!

Update on Saturday · Oct 12 · 2013 | 11:25 AM PDT by Chris

Photo from KTTV FOX 11

TV station gives first glimpse of Edge version of Mighty jersey

On Friday morning, we got to see the Reebok Edge version of the Mighty Ducks jersey for the first time. Good Day LA reporter Mar Yvette wore it for a feature during the morning show. As expected, it looks the same as before but with the updated Reebok collar and cut.

It was cool seeing the jersey, but Yvette's interview with Sheldon Souray is not worth watching. She starts by talking about the Dodgers shirt she's wearing under the jersey and goes on to make up the term "puckshot" since she doesn't know what a "slapshot" is. I get you're a feature reporter, but does that absolve you from doing a little research before you head out the door?

Anyway, here's another shot that shows the full jersey.

Photo from KTTV FOX 11

Some commented that it looks practically transparent, but I'm not sure it's any more than usual with the latest round of Reebok Edge jerseys. And it may also be just an optical illusion because of how it's worn on her. One thing I can't tell is whether the stripes are sublimated. None of the Edge templates lend themselves well to the diagonal stripe from the old Mighty Ducks jerseys.

We'll get to see them in all their game day glory tomorrow afternoon!

Ducks Prepare for Throwback Night

Get ready for the return of eggplant and jade! The Orange County Register reported on Tuesday that the Anaheim Ducks will break out their classic Mighty Ducks jerseys for Throwback Night on Oct. 13.

Icethetics reader Kevin was kind enough to give us a look behind the paper's paywall at what the Ducks are planning. Here's an excerpt:

One major highlight of the night is that the Ducks will wear their original eggplant, jade and grey jerseys that were used from 1993-2006 when they were the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

The club is already wearing a 20th anniversary commemorative patch on their current sweaters and has the logo on their Honda Center ice surface.

That logo and news of the Throwback Night were announced back in July. But this is the first confirmation of a throwback jersey. Eager now to see what the Ducks themselves have to say about it.

In the meantime, Kevin also pointed out a new bobblehead being sold through the team's official booster club, Anaheim Ducks Die Hards. It's Paul Kariya wearing that jersey he'll forever be associated with. But noteworthy here is the new 20th anniversary patch.

Photo from Anaheim Ducks Die Hards (via Twitter)

Is this the throwback jersey the Ducks will be wearing next month? If so, will they also use it again later in the season for their Stadium Series game in January against the Los Angeles Kings?

Stay tuned for details.

Panthers, Ducks Plan Throwbacks

They're not even of legal drinking age and they're already getting nostalgic. Two teams will commemorate their 20th NHL seasons this fall. Let's talk about how.

When the NHL schedule was announced this past week, the Florida Panthers used the opportunity to announce their plans for the year as they mark their 20th anniversary. The Cats open their season on the road, but when they return home on Oct. 11, they'll have what they're calling a "Throwback Night" — though it's not entirely clear what that means.

Instantly, jersey geeks like us have been conditioned to immediately assume we're getting a throwback jersey. I could see that. Those triangular shoulder yokes don't get used anymore in the Age of Reebok, and that's sad. But the Panthers haven't said anything about a special jersey.

In fact, they haven't really said anything yet. From the press release:

The Cats took on the Penguins in their first regular season game in South Florida on Oct. 12, 1993, nearly 20-years to the date. The night will be a “throwback” night with details on all of the Opening Night festivities to be announced in the coming weeks.

So we'll keep an eye on things over the coming weeks.

Then there's the Anaheim Ducks. They also used the the schedule release to talk about their 20th anniversary plans. And it sounds like the old Disney Duck could be making an appearance. 

Icethetics reader and Ducks season ticket holder Andrew Heidecker emailed me excitedly last week to share some details.

I am a season ticket holder for the Anaheim Ducks. During their select-a-seat promotion, they had all the high-ups of the Ducks organization there. I spoke with one of them and he informed me that the Ducks will become Mighty once more during a game in October.

They will revive the 1993 [inaugural] jersey (he was not sure if it would be eggplant or white since home was light colors back then) but he did say that it will be set to the new Reebok Edge jersey and will be available for sale all season long in the Ducks team store.

Currently, the jersey is set to be worn for only one game early in October, but that can be altered to more than one game. Not to sound antsy, but the way he said it, it sounded like there may be more than one "MIGHTY" jersey being produced for wear this season.

If I find anything else out, I'll let you know!

If true, that's exciting news for fans of the old Mighty Ducks brand. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

It's worth noting that the Ducks' own press release fits in line with this report. 

As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, the 2013-14 regular season will include a number of special events at Honda Center. Planned occasions will include look backs at great moments in Ducks history and retro merchandise available for purchase.

In addition, the club will host a “Throwback Night” near the start of the 2013-14 regular season, paying homage to the inaugural 1993-94 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season. The club will have further announcements surrounding the festivities at a later date.

That "further announcements at a later date" line again. Heard it before.

Anyway, it sounds promising. And for what it's worth, the Ducks could get double-use out of such a throwback jersey. Don't forget that they play the Kings outdoors on Jan. 25, 2014. That'll probably involve a throwback jersey of some kind just as every other outdoor NHL game has in the past six years.

So what do you guys think? Is 20 too soon for throwbacks? Or are you nostalgic enough to take a throwback in any form at any time? Hockey does love its traditions after all.

NHL Draft Yields Anniversary Logos

The 2013 NHL Draft was held this afternoon in Newark, N.J. and it treated us to a few new uniform decorations for the 2013-14 season. By that I mean it was positively lousy with special anniversary patches. I'll review those and some other items, team-by-team, in the order it all happened.

Photos from Florida Panthers

With the second overall selection, the Florida Panthers took Aleksander Barkov. They handed him a red jersey featuring the new 20th anniversary patch on the chest. This wasn't our first time seeing the logo, but it was the first time in patch form on a sweater.

Photos from Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes picked fifth, nabbing Elias Lindholm, giving us another opportunity to see the new threads. I'm still not a fan. Where's the originality of days gone by? Not to mention, the poor kid looks pregnant wearing that.

Photos from Yahoo! Sports

With a pair of first round selections, the Dallas Stars decided to get creative with their new sweaters — handing out one of each. At No. 10, Valeri Nichushkin got the green home jersey while Jason Dickinson got the white one at 29th overall. And the uniforms still look amazing.

Photos from Yahoo! Sports

Skipping ahead to the 18th selection, we find the San Jose Sharks avoiding the jersey redesign question by letting Mirco Mueller have the black alternate. Look at his face. He sees what they did there.

While we're on the third jersey subject, the Minnesota Wild also kept to their tradition of making green the first thing their greenhorns get to wear. Pictured above is Dylan Labbe, taken 107th overall. That brings us to the third and final team to hand out a third jersey today.

At No. 26 were the Anaheim Ducks, who are about to mark two decades in existence. They selected Shea Theodore of the Seattle Thunderbirds. His alternate jersey featured the Ducks' new anniversary logo, which got its official unveiling with today's festivities.

Photos from Anaheim Ducks

I won't lie. I'm disappointed. It's a rehash of the Ottawa Senators' 20th anniversary logo from two years ago. It doesn't tie in to any existing Ducks branding — apart from the D stuck on it like a game of pin the tail on the donkey. It's all set in the stale Bank Gothic font every other sports team has used at some point. And it's packed with lazy gradients. My favorite.

The Ducks unveiled the logo via Twitter this afternoon following Theodore's selection. They also posted this press release to their website, detailing plans for their 20th anniversary season. One interesting note is a "Throwback Night" set to take place "near the start of the 2013-14 regular season, paying homage to the inaugural 1993-94 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim season."

Does this foreshadow an eggplant-and-jade specialty jersey? One can dream. The release says more details will be announced at a later date.

Photo from Boston Bruins (via Instagram)

The Boston Bruins didn't get their first crack at the draft pool until the end of the second round, 60th overall to be precise. But they did have jerseys on hand for the later picks featuring their 90th anniversary patch. It was revealed via their Instagram account during the draft. (Also a couple of photos on Twitter.)

I've yet to see it in any digital art, but it looks all right. It's the standard giant number above a ribbon with the team's logo tacked on the middle. It resembles the club's 80th anniversary logo more than its 75th — which is a good thing. And while it conforms to the dull conventions of an anniversary logo, it's unique enough to be a solid logo as far as I'm concerned.

(And for the record, I think Icethetics concept artist Justin Nahhas is somewhat psychic. Compare this logo to a design he created almost two years ago.)

One final note. I did a tally of all the jerseys handed out to draftees today. Out of 30 teams, 25 used their dark home jersey, three went with a third jersey (read above) and three used white road sweaters, including Colorado, Winnipeg and double-dipping Dallas.

That's it as far as jerseys are concerned. But there's one more item. We learned at last year's draft that Philadelphia will take on hosting duties in 2014. But we didn't get the full version of the logo until today.

I love the bell shape of the shield for this one. Just outstanding execution of what can be a tired concept. The Liberty Bell is in Philly, we get it. But this is a neat logo!

What do you think of all the new stuff we got to see today? Hit or miss on the anniversary logos?

Update on Sunday · Jun 30 · 2013 | 8:30 PM PDT by Chris

Photos from Yahoo! Sports

Two more things I almost forgot to mention from the draft. Noticeably absent from the Nashville Predators' jersey, including this one given to Seth Jones, was any sign of the 15th anniversary logo we saw earlier in the week.

Also, the Phoenix Coyotes' picks had me wondering if this could be the last time we ever see this jersey in any official NHL capacity. Depending on what happens Tuesday, the Coyotes could be on their way out of Arizona. Just something to think about.

Update on Sunday · Jun 30 · 2013 | 8:54 PM PDT by Chris

One more update. Looks like the Hurricanes joined the Stars in giving out both of their new sweaters today. Above you saw Elias Lindholm in red. But here's third-round pick Brett Pesce in white.

Photos from Carolina Hurricanes (via Instagram)

I still like the white a little better than the red, but I still don't think it's an improvement on what they used to wear. Who knows. Maybe I'll change my mind in time.

The Anaheim Aprons

As you sit here on your computer/smartphone while your mother/wife/other relative cooks Thanksgiving Dinner, take a moment to note what they're wearing to keep from wearing the food. It's probably an apron. But probably not one like this.

Yes, to anyone who has ever referred to the Reebok Edge piping as apron strings... you are hereby forever vindicated. If this isn't the worst thing ever, it's at least in the Top 10.

The photo above and many more like it can be found in a photo gallery on the Ducks' official website. They're from an Anaheim Ducks Foundation event last year in which certain players made their mark in the kitchen by preparing sushi.