Panthers Unveil 3rd Jersey!

Last night just prior to their game, the Florida Panthers unveiled their brand new third jerseys. The sweaters are primarily dark blue with gold accents and introduce an entirely new color to the scheme — light blue.

The Cats then debuted the new sweaters in the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It shouldn't go without saying that these jerseys do feel awfully reminiscent of the Winter Classic sweater the Pens introduced in 2008 — which later became their third.

Keith Ballard, Nathan Horton and Bryan McCabe in their new threads

It also seems to borrow elements from the Minnesota Wild home and St. Louis Blues third jerseys. So unfortunately it's not a totally original look. Having said that, I like them a lot more than the home and road looks. It's a solid design and when you really get down to it, they look like hockey jerseys should.j

Where the design falls down is that new secondary mark on the helmet, pants and shoulders. Yes, the Sunny FLA. Why? I'm intrigued by the irony that Reebok starts introducing abbreviation-based NHL logos and uniforms just after dumping their own abbreviated (Rbk) logo. (I know, I can't blame Reebok for everything.)

Despite that, I wouldn't be surprised to see that panther head logo soon take over as the team's primary mark. They've already chopped off the legs. Seems like a natural progression. What's disappointing is that along with that will probably see the end of red in South Florida. But it's been a staple since 1993 when the team first joined the league.

In fact, their original road jerseys were red. But suddenly in the last couple of years the red jersey was relegated to third status when the dark blue alternate was promoted. Then in the Age of Reebok, the red jersey went away completely. Fans hoping to see it return with this third were left disappointed as it's not even an accent color. In fact, they just added another shade of blue.

Still, it's always nice to see a team try something different. I have to give the Panthers credit for going out on a limb. But traditional sweaters in a non-traditional hockey market just seem to clash. St. Louis and Minnesota got it right. Nashville and Florida need some work.

I'll finish my analysis with something positive. I do like the custom type used for the lettering on the nameplate as well as the numbers. At first glance, it looks like a standard block font, but look closer.

The Panthers have said the jersey will be worn for 12 home games this season — including last night's — but I have yet to come across the schedule. If I do, I'll be sure to add it to the calendar in the sidebar.

So what do you guys think of the new threads?

Avalanche Unveil 3rd Jersey!

Earlier this afternoon the Colorado Avalanche officially unveiled their brand new third jersey, confirming months of rumors and speculation here on Icethetics.

Kyle Quincey and Paul Stastny were on hand for the Avs to model the new threads. A photo gallery was made available via the team's official web site.

Kyle Quincey and Paul Stastny model the Avs new third jersey

It marks the first time since moving from Quebec that the franchise has donned a blue sweater. Even the Avs' pre-Reebok third jersey was burgundy. However, it did feature the same diagonal lettering across the front that we see on this one.

It does have something unique in the Age of Reebok. The team name is spelled out in white type across the back of the collar. You can sort of make it out in the image to the right.

Overall, it's a solid design. Personally, I would've preferred something different across the front. I like that Nashville and Florida are trying something new — even if it is just a re-imagining of logos they've worn for years.

Minnesota and Colorado are sticking with the text elements and it's just not what we like to see on the front of a hockey jersey — or perhaps I'm speaking only for myself.

Anyway, the Avalanche also announced a schedule of 12 games in which the jersey will be worn — beginning, as expected, on Saturday when they face the Canucks in front of the home crowd.

You can find the full schedule on their site or in the sidebar calendar here on Icethetics. I'm pleased to say they'll be wearing them next month against my Lightning. We can bond over new blue thirds.

There's also a video of Stastny and Quincey talking to the media about the new jerseys. It's really nothing insightful. These guys could care less. They're professional athletes paid millions to compete, not sit around and judge the aesthetic achievements of a shirt.

I'm sure they'd be happy in anything. Only exception might be that Anaheim travesty from the mid-90s. I'm sure those guys never wanted to have to wear those — multiple times.

Anyway, the next and final third jersey this season will be the Panthers on November 23. Not to worry, though, I'll have new content in the meantime. (Panthers third jersey concepts coming soon!)

Panthers 3rd Leaked!

That didn't take long. Remember how yesterday I said the Florida Panthers' new third jersey seemed leak-proof? Yeah, that's not true anymore.

Uni Watch, of all places, posted this sneak peek at the new threads.

Sneak peek at the Florida Panthers new third jersey

I was prepared to be disappointed by Florida this year, but based on this sliver of an image, I am only impressed. It feels somewhat like a carbon copy of the Blues' third jersey, which debuted last year, but I do like that jersey. Hopefully it can differentiate itself enough to stand out.

Looking forward to November 23 — the official launch date!

Update on Wednesday · Nov 11 · 2009 | 9:58 AM PST by Chris

Just did a quick bit of extra research. The image above actually comes directly from the Florida Panthers. It's true. 

Check out the banner across the top of the web page that reads "Don't Be Left in the Dark." It's actually an interactive flash animation. If you look to the right you'll see a circle next to where it says "Sneak Peak [sic]." Just drag that circle around and it "shines a light" on the jersey.

Avs, Cats 3rds Just Days Away

At last! Third jersey news is upon us! The final two from this year's class of third jerseys will be unveiled before the end of the month — the official word from both the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers. 

The Avs' unveiling is happening fast — on Thursday actually. According to new information posted on their web site today, Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny will be on hand to model the new alternate sweaters at a press conference.

Then on Saturday the jerseys will make their on-ice debut when the Avalanche host the Canucks. Here's the excerpt from the site regarding the big event.

Third Jersey Update

With the help of assistant captains Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny, the Colorado Avalanche will officially unveil the team’s new third jersey on Thursday, Nov. 12. The Avs will then wear the third sweater for the first time on Saturday, Nov. 14 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Check back to ColoradoAvalanche.com on Thursday afternoon for more information, including photos from the unveiling.

For sure I'll be watching that game thanks to my new NHL GameCenter account. Seriously guys, I've never wasted so much time as I have since I started having every NHL game readily available to me.

If you want a sneak peek before Thursday, Icethetics has posted a few leaked images. If you want to be surprised, don't click that link.

Thanks to Dayle and Devin for forwarding along some of the details on the Avs' third.

If you're a Florida Panthers fan, you'll have to wait a little bit longer. Yours is the only team that hasn't endured a real leak of some kind. But the wait will be over come Monday, November 23.

That night the Cats will take to the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their brand new alternate uniforms. Or so says their official web site at least, where they're offering fans a chance to pre-order the new jersey now.

However, they've also dropped a little teaser on that page.

That logo in the background seems to be yet another new Panthers mark for the 2009-10 season.

Some other observations: For one thing, it seems like a safe bet the new third will be blue — sad since the home jersey is already blue. It's been rumored the Cats will go with a template similar to the Wild's red home jersey and from this image, it appears they're joining the Predators in launching a simplified version of their primary logo. (It's missing its whiskers too!)

The release doesn't go so far as to say whether there will be an unveiling of any kind — or if the unveiling will just be the guys skating out onto the ice in the new threads. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks to Ben and Darren for sending along the Panthers' info.

Within the next two weeks, all will be revealed. Just wanted to keep you guys up to date with where we stand.

And of course, count on Icethetics for photos of the Avs jersey on Thursday.

Green is the Way to Go

There are many reasons for going green. Today, a sampling of some of those reasons.

The hue between yellow and blue is quite a popular topic these days. Most of us understand it in the figurative sense — a method of curbing our effect on the slowly heating planet (which hockey fans should be most concerned about as our sport relies heavily on frozen water). Others take it in the literal sense.

Namely, the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, whose color scheme does not include green. They will wear special green jerseys on Friday, Nov. 20 as part of their "Going Green Night."

The announcement was made on the team's web site last week and includes details as well as an example of what this new sweater will look like.

AHL's Rockford IceHogs go green!

I bet the Blackhawks could pull off the green pretty well.

In any case, the release doesn't specify as to whether these jerseys will be auctioned for charity or saved and worn again in the future. All it says is that this is "the first time in which the IceHogs will sport green uniforms."

Also recently announced, Team Canada will be donning green threads at the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan to pay tribute to "Saskatchewan's favourite sports team" — the CFL's Roughriders.

Team Canada's junior club goes green

The official release talks about how this new sweater will be used.

Canada’s National Junior Team will wear the jerseys twice — once in a pre-competition game and once during the championship. Canada is attempting to win its sixth-straight IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal.

The jerseys will be auctioned online (though it doesn't say where the money is going). The event takes place from December 26 until January 5 in Regina and Saskatoon.

Now back to the NHL.

The Minnesota Wild are going green this season for yet another reason having to do with neither the environment nor a pro football franchise. The club is going back to their roots with a new green third jersey — which just debuted last week.

But actually the Wild news I have to share has little if anything to do with that — I'm just trying to keep a theme going.

A type designer Rob Leuschke was interviewed by MyFonts.com for their monthly newsletter. Relevance? Apparently, in 1997, Leuschke was offered his dream job when he was asked to design a word mark for the newly formed Minnesota NHL expansion franchise.

Meet the designer of the original Wild word mark

That's right, he created the Wild's the original word mark which you can still find on the shoulders of the club's road sweater.

Since I was a small boy I had an interest in art and lettering. Handwriting was my favorite subject in first grade and I liked to copy the emblems of professional football, hockey and baseball teams.

I’ve never been much of an illustrator, but graphic drawings — especially those containing letterforms — were always a big pleasure. When I got the call to design the word mark for the Minnesota Wild back in 1997, it was an especially nostalgic thrill to do something I dreamed about as a kid.

Read more about font designer Rob Leuschke at MyFonts.com.

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And finally, breaking away from the green theme entirely, here's an interesting article. It's all about the hockey glove and its unachieved potential as a fashion statement. If that wasn't enough of a reason to click through, perhaps this will do.

(Just a little something to freak you out — on a Friday.)