Rangers to Reveal New Sweater

The New York Rangers have announced their plans for Heritage Week, part of their 85th anniversary celebrations this season, including the launch of their new third jersey.

It all starts Friday evening at Rockefeller Center when the Rangers unveil what they're calling their "Heritage Jersey" — the new alternate uniform that will be worn occasionally throughout the 2010-11 season. This event will take place at 6:30 PM eastern.

Avery in the Heritage JerseyAt the same time at the NHL Store in New York City will be another Rangers Heritage Jersey Event, where fans will be able to purchase the new throwback sweater for the first time. And just so we're not forgetting, we actually have seen this jersey before. Sean Avery leaked it.

Heritage Week continues through the weekend when the new sweater becomes available for fans to purchase at Madison Square Garden during Sunday's game when the Rangers host the Edmonton Oilers at 12:30 PM eastern. That's a 9:30 AM puck drop for west coasters (of which I am soon to be one).

According to the official Heritage Week schedule on the Rangers' website, the new Heritage Jersey will make its official on-ice debut on Wednesday, Nov. 17 when the Rangers host the Boston Bruins.

So there you have it. I meant to post this last week but you wouldn't believe how all planning to move can eat up your day. Thanks to everyone who emailed in about it.

As for the jersey itself, I'm eager to see it in action for the first time this weekend. I'm sure the cell phone quality photo we've had for a couple months now doesn't do it justice.

Penguins Unveil WC Jersey!

Pittsburgh Penguins reveal 2011 Winter Classic sweater

The Pittsburgh Penguins officially unveiled their 2011 Winter Classic sweater today, according to the team's website.

Evgeni Malkin shows off new sweaterThey've posted a photo gallery featuring a few different shots of the new uniform, including the one above. As rumored, the sweater is a hybrid of past Pens jerseys. It's similar in design to the team's inaugural uniform from 1967 with the powder blue and navy inverted. The main difference being the addition of the original logo which was never before used on a jersey.

The design should be no surprise to Icethetics readers. It's almost exactly what I posted here earlier this month. It doesn't replace the the Penguins' first Winter Classic or the Blackhawks' WC/third jersey atop my personal favorites list, but I'm still a big fan.

It's a sharp look and almost has the feel of an "old-timey" wool hockey sweater. Don't be deceived, though, it's still a Reebok Edge jersey. But it's one of the better ones we've seen.

My only issue is the massive size of the waist stripes. Definitely think that could've been toned down a little. Way too close to the numbers on the back.

Otherwise a solid design effort and Pens fans should be pleased. It's a great new look and I hope they keep it around a while. The Penguins announced the jersey will also be worn later in the season after the Winter Classic, on Feb. 10 vs Los Angeles and Mar. 12 vs Montreal.

Now, your thoughts on the new threads?

Around the AHL

Another Sunday brings another massive American Hockey League post. This particular article has been in the pipeline all week.

And I would like to start by thanking all the great readers who have contributed tips and links, as I am not the greatest at keeping track of the minor leagues on my own. But there really is a lot to get to so I'll move it along.

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Photo credit: Derek PhilipponThe Portland Pirates sported their cancer-fighting pink jerseys last night.

They did so to the tune of a 2-1 victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. For a good cause and win. Who could complain?

The sweater was unveiled last month. I mentioned it on the blog because I thought the crest was a bit clever, playing on the Pirates' own throwback logo along with that of their NHL affiliates, the Sabres.

For another look at the jersey in action on goalie David Leggio, go the Pirates' website. For details on how to bid on one, also go the Pirates' website.

And my thanks to Phil K. for sending along this photo too.

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Whale Pack gets web revampThe Hartford Wolf Pack started implementing their new brand by recently revamping their website.

Later this fall — right in the middle of the hockey season — the team will take on new colors and a new name when they become the Connecticut Whale, prompting the nickname Whale Pack in the interim.

The rebranding efforts have already begun online, but the new look isn't expected to hit the ice until after Thanksgiving, but certainly before Christmas — banking on holiday shoppers and their kids, no doubt.

For the record, www.connecticutwhale.com has been reserved but doesn't yet take you anywhere. On the other hand, www.ctwhale.com works. Thanks to Jeremy M. for the tip on the web revamp.

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Moose get new road lookThe Manitoba Moose debuted a new road jersey this season.

The old black jerseys have basically been swapped out with brand new green threads. In fact, that's exactly what's happened. The jersey design remains the same with the black and green swapped.

Let's be honest. If your color scheme is that good, why wouldn't you take advantage of it? It's good to see all the black jerseys starting to disappear from hockey. (I said "starting," there's still a long way to go.)

This photo comes from the weekly photo gallery on the AHL's official website. Great way to get a look at a variety AHL sweaters in action during the season.

Ian K. actually emailed me about this more than a month ago but I somehow overlooked it — even during the Season Preview. Jeremy M. reminded me in an email this week.

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Rampage don Spurs jerseysIt finally happened. A hockey team actually wore a basketball jersey in the Age of Reebok.

All right, technically the San Antonio Rampage were still wearing hockey sweaters last night, but they were wearing a basketball logo.

It was "Spurs Night at the Rampage" for the team's 2-0 win over the Houston Aeros. Rampage players were on hand prior to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs game earlier in the week, wearing their own jerseys, by the way. (And someone has to tell me who's the guy with that crazy 'stache.)

For another look at the jersey, Ryan H. emailed in the splash page promoting Spurs Night from the Rampage's official website.

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Monarchs' new uniforms unveiledThe Manchester Monarchs are rocking new home and road jerseys this season.

I've had difficulty finding any game action photos, so we'll just have to live with the terribly-lit pictures posted on the Monarchs' website when the sweaters were unveiled earlier this month.

For a side-by-side comparison of the previous set of uniforms and the new ones, I've nabbed these renderings from the AHL's online store. Thanks to Jeremy M. again for the tip.

They're affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings so I have just one question. Why in the world would they try to look like the Anaheim Ducks?! At least the old uniforms had that crown stripe on the sleeves.

Monarchs unveil specialty sweatersBy the way, that same article I linked to earlier also revealed the Monarchs' 10th anniversary logo along with a pair of specialty jerseys that will see action this season (left).

The pink one is obviously for Pink in the Rink Night. Along with the sweaters, the ice at the Verizon Wireless Arena will be painted pink. That all goes down on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011.

As for the black and gold jersey, I'll let the team explain in a blockquote:

On Saturday, December 4, the Monarchs will be celebrating the rich hockey history in New Hampshire with their final New Hampshire Legends of Hockey specialty jersey. The team will don throwback jerseys from the 1970s original Manchester Monarchs team when they host the Springfield Falcons at the Verizon Wireless Arena that night.

To be honest, I never knew there was another Manchester Monarchs team from the 1970s. Anyone have any information they can share?

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Now we'll wrap up this epic post where it began — pink hockey sweaters.

Rivermen unveil pink jerseyThe Peoria Rivermen unveiled their Pink in the Rink Night specialty jersey this week.

In a rather appropriate twist, the Rivermen will sport their pink-infused threads the night before Halloween, next Saturday, when they host the Oklahoma City Barons.

I'm all for breast cancer awareness and I'm not bothered by one-off pink jerseys, but there are better ways of doing this. For instance, Portland got it right.

Still, it's good that they're doing this. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game and the proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Thanks to Drew S. for the email tip on this jersey.

By the way, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have four new jerseys this year, like the Monarchs, so rather than making this post even longer the Baby Pens will get their own post later this week.

Loose Threads: Cats & Rags

Bill Torrey thinks the Panthers will bring the red back and MSG says the Rangers will launch their new third jersey on Nov. 17. These are the topics of today's Loose Threads.

Panthers: Bringing back the red

Florida Panthers architect Bill Torrey, who retired in 2001, seems to think the team will be bringing back the red jerseys at some point.

Miami Herald beat writer George Richards tweeted yesterday, quoting Torrey as saying the "we'll get 'em back," with regard to the team's original uniform colors. Today on his blog, On Frozen Pond, Richards went into more detail:

Bill Torrey, honored by the Panthers on Saturday, said he had to fight with then-owner Marti Huizenga regarding the team's colors and uniforms back in 1993.

[He] said she preferred the Marlins' black-and-teal color scheme, which then, was all the rage. Then she saw the red jerseys on opening night in Chicago "and she came up to me and told me how much she loved them.''

I asked if he missed those red jerseys, gone now since the Reebok redesign. I take it he's not a fan of the new Tampa Bay BlueRays.

"We'll get 'em back,'' he said.

That post is then followed up by a string of reader comments lauding Torrey for his years of service to the team and the desire to see red return to the Panthers uniforms. Thanks to Danny C. for the link.

Last week I mentioned the Panthers will celebrate three Throwback Nights this season. It got us thinking that they might bring back the red jerseys for those few nights. Perhaps Torrey's comments lend some credence to this. Hard to say for sure at this point.

The Throwback Nights will be held on Dec. 7, Jan. 15 and Mar. 17.

Rangers to debut third jersey Nov. 17

The New York Rangers will hit the ice in their new alternate sweaters for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 17 when they host the Bruins at Madison Square Garden, according to MSG Network.

Icethetics readers Adrian and A.J. both wrote in today with the details. The guys tell me that during last night's broadcast, there was talk of Martin Biron's new mask, which will be worn whenever the third jersey is — and it will debut next month.

Below is a look at Biron's new mask alongside its inspiration, the mask of none other than Gilles Gratton. (Biron's mask comes by way of Rangers fan blog Blue Line Station.)

Martin Biron's new mask alongside the original

In case you missed it, Sean Avery posted a photo of the unreleased third jersey on his blog last month. It was quickly removed but remains here on Icethetics (right).

But regarding last night's broadcast, Adrian emailed me the following:

At the very beginning of the second period [the broadcasters] did a little background color piece on Marty Biron and his new American flag mask. Then they announced that he also has a second mask that was just created.

The mask consists of a lions jaws surrounding the face cage with the Rangers 85th anniversary logo on both sides. The mask is a tribute to former NYR goalie Gilles Gratton.

Sam Rosen (Rangers commentator) then announced that it was created in a vintage style and will only be worn with the Rangers third jerseys, which will are set to debut on Nov. 17 against the Bruins.

So I'll add that to the calendar and we'll keep an eye on it.

New 3rd Logo for Columbus?

When it rains, it pours. 

And although the recent bout of weather has been more of a drizzle than a deluge, today we're talking about the Columbus Blue Jackets, whose upcoming third jersey we know almost nothing about. Until now. Maybe.

Mask with logo in questionIcethetics regular Glen C. wrote in yesterday with an interesting tip. After being inspired by the great finds on retail websites lately, he made a discovery of his own on a site that sells, among other things, a line of goalie masks for kids, including this one (right).

First of all, check out the forehead. It sure looks like a Blue Jackets logo, but not like any we've ever seen before. It features crossed cannon and a silver star.

Flashback to March 16. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch told us then that a cannon will be "the central part of the main logo" on the forthcoming alternate sweater. And we've heard nothing more about it in seven months.

In a moment I'll explain why this logo seems legitimate but first, something's been bugging me. There seems to be a general feeling amongst readers that the Blue Jackets are the most super-secretive organization in the NHL for theirs to be the only remaining jersey we have no details on. Not from where I'm sitting.

Nash rocks the purpleFor one thing, the team isn't fully in charge of keeping the design under wraps. That's Reebok and the NHL, especially when it comes to e-tailers. Moreover, if you want to know why there hasn't been a leak yet, allow the attendance at last night's game to serve as some indication. With barely 9,800 souls in the stands in Columbus, it seems clear to me that the biggest problem is the lack of interest in this team.

By the way, this picture (right) isn't totally random. The Jackets skated out in purple jerseys for warm-ups as part of Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Beats pink.

Now back to why I'm not ready to dismiss this logo thing. The image/product in question turned up on HockeyGear.com. It is only one of many in a line by Franklin Sports, an NHL licensee, featuring various NHL teams. Each mask features official team logos, unlike that line of Zephyr hats, for example. Why would they make one up on only the Jackets mask?

That being said, I'm not 100% convinced. The biggest question: When was this product line created and introduced? If it's more than six months old, the logo probably wasn't ready to be licensed for third party products. For what it's worth, the Sabres mask still has the slug on it and the Oilers mask has the secondary oilman logo that hasn't been used since 2007. I'm not ready to call this a "leak," per se, but it sure fits the bill.

By the way, in case you missed it, the game night promotions schedule on the Blue Jackets' website says:

Friday, Nov. 26 vs. Detroit Red Wings Debut of new third jerseys: The Blue Jackets will take the ice wearing their new third jerseys for the first time to kick off a big sports weekend in Columbus as the Blue Jackets take on the Red Wings on the eve of the Ohio State/Michigan game in Columbus.

Portzline shot down the idea of a red jersey in his March article, but I'm not so sure. Also, and I know many of you won't want to hear this, but take note that the two cannon are black in this logo. The Blue Jackets actually used black on their first third jersey back in 2003. Just saying.

Let the countdown to Nov. 26 begin.

Update on Thursday · Oct 21 · 2010 | 9:44 AM PDT by Chris

I'm not sure what value, if any, this holds, but these same masks are sold on the NHL's own online store. Interestingly, they don't list all of the masks on HockeyGear.com, most notably, the Blue Jackets version. However, Glen did track down a URL for the image on the NHL's servers where all of the other masks are stored.

Could it be that the Blue Jackets helmet is the newest in the product line, and because of the logo on the front, it isn't supposed to be on display yet? Of course I'm just guessing. Who doesn't love a good conspiracy theory?