This Is It

I mentioned on Twitter yesterday that the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors will be paying tribute to Michael Jackson on Friday night. The Condors will be honoring the King of Pop with a specialty jersey.

And this is it.

Bakersfield Condors' Michael Jackson jersey

I mean look at that thing. There's just so much to mock. The condor is wearing Jacko's trademark hat. The sweater numbers are laughably illegible. It even has the suspenders. The best part is that each player will also be wearing a single white glove.

Full details can be found on the Condors' web site. Here's a snippet.

Friday night is for all of those "Smooth Criminals" out there looking to honor the "King of Pop." The Condors players will be playing their part during the game, sporting specialty jerseys which will be auctioned off throughout the night.

The night will include music and King of Pop themed promotions as well, and Condors players will even wear one white glove during the game, some of which will later be available for purchase. To top it off, everyone in the house is eligible to win one of five game-worn tribute jerseys that will be raffled off during the game. 

Also, anybody with the name "Michael Jackson" or "Billie Jean" will receive free entry into the game by showing your ID.

For what it's worth, the Condors are no strangers to pop culture-induced jersey designs that activate your gag reflex. Last January, they joined the Wranglers in ridiculing disgraced Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich (yes, teams from California and Nevada — I don't know why). Both teams dressed up as prison inmates while the refs agreed to wear prison guard getups.

I'm dying to see what this Michael Jackson jersey looks like on the ice tomorrow night (unintentional pun). I'll post pictures afterwards. My thanks to John for the tip.

Avs 3rd Leaked (Again... Sort of)

Received an interesting photo this afternoon. I'm not sure what to make of it. It appears to be a cell picture of the new Colorado Avalanche third jersey hanging in a sporting goods store.

Couple of problems with it thought. First, take a look, then I'll give you my thoughts. The photo comes from an anonymous Icethetics reader.

Possible Avs third jersey?

First off, the collar proves this is not an authentic or premier Reebok Edge jersey. I'd go short of calling it on a knock-off since there does appear to be a rack full of them. My bet is it's a youth jersey.

Take a look at the NHL Shop and you'll see that the collars on the kids' jerseys get a different treatment across the board.

Example of Reebok Edge youth jersey

It looks fairly close to what we see in the Avs photo above. But aside from that, the design is exactly what's been rumored in all the computer-generated mock-ups that Icethetics has posted.

As for this photo in particular, the email simply said it was from a "shop in Colorado." No specifics. (Also, it was taken with a BlackBerry.)

More or less, I say this is what the Avalanche will take to the ice wearing in a few weeks when they officially debut their alternate sweater. What do you guys think?

(By the way, I know a promised concepts for my next post, but this was actual news! You'll get concepts before the weekend is out. More than you can handle.)

On the Ice, Nothing's Scarier

This always happens once the season gets going. I have less and less time to update the web site and I know many of you are disappointed by that. But I'm just one guy with a job and a life (sort of). Anyway, when I have time and content worth posting, I'll be here. (No plans to shut down like last year.)

All right, so here's today's content worth posting. The OHL's Kingston Frontenacs paid tribute last night to Don Cherry of all people — by wearing jerseys modeled after his trademark plaid suit.

Frontenacs' Don Cherry jerseyDoes anything make you smile more than that? It's just so ridiculous. 

The jerseys will be auctioned off online Here's the full release from the Frontenacs.

The Kingston Frontenacs are pleased to announce that on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009, they will be honouring Canadian Forces Base Kingston in their annual salute to the military and Don Cherry will be joining them at the event.

On that night, the Kingston Frontenacs will be unveiling and wearing a limited edition, one-of-a-kind Don Cherry game sweater. Each Don Cherry sweater will be autographed by the Canadian hockey legend and then made available for sale in an on-line auction, with proceeds from the monies raised to be donated to Soldier On.

Seriously, who wouldn't want one of those jerseys? Looks like they're all starting around $150. Get your bids in now!

By the way, nothing is funnier than Cameron Gaunce's face in this ceremonial faceoff photo-op. A true WTF moment.

Gaunce: Who the heck are we playing right now and why is Santa here so early?

Thanks to Carlo for sending this in.

All right, back to the NHL now for some quick updates. Yesterday, I posted a link to Twitter about third jersey article on NHL.com. It outlined a lot of information we already know and touched on a few new items — primarily with regard to the Cats and Avs.

The biggest new info is that the Florida Panthers have set a debut date for their third jersey. Ladies and gentlemen — Monday, November 23 hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This is actually the only alternate sweater in this year's batch we have yet to see. Either they are the best team in the NHL at keeping secrets... or it's the Panthers and no one cares what their third jersey looks like.

I live in Fort Myers (technically Panther territory, not Lightning) and that game will be televised on FS Florida. That means I'll be able to offer HD video of the new sweater in action.

By the way, I just realized the Panthers and Penguins play each other in Miami both on Oct. 23 and Nov. 23. Weird.

The NHL.com article is the first official confirmation that the Colorado Avalanche will unveil a new third jersey in mid-November.

Specifically, it says that the sweater "will be worn for the first time in an unspecified mid-November game. A press conference will act as the grand unveiling a day or two before the game."

The only mid-November game the Avs play at home is on Saturday, November 14 against the Canucks. That's what I call a safe bet. We should probably expect that press conference on Nov. 12 or 13.

In case you missed it, here's an unconfirmed look at that new sweater.

That's it for today. When I next have time to update the site, I promise a concept post. You have my word!

Habs Centennial Jersey Sked

Thanks to everyone who responded to my previous post! The Montreal Canadiens' released Centennial jersey event list via their 2009-10 season pocket schedule. See it here, courtesy of Dante_X.

Five nights during this campaign will be dedicated to old-time Montreal hockey sweaters, and they are scheduled to be worn as follows.

• Saturday, Oct. 31 - vs Toronto (1912-13/striped)
• Tuesday, Nov. 10 - vs Calgary (1910-11/red)
• Saturday, Nov. 21 - vs Detroit (1909-10/blue)
• Saturday, Jan. 23 - vs NY Rangers (1910-11/red)
• Saturday, Feb. 13 - vs Philadelphia (1909-10/blue)

Let me point out the irony is not lost on me that the Habs will don the scary striped jersey on Halloween night. Speaking of which, in case you're not up on your Canadiens history and you don't know your 1909 jersey from your 1910 jersey, here's a quick refresher.

1912-13 centennial jersey

1909-10 centennial jersey

1910-11 centennial jersey

Personally, I can't wait to see the latter two. Not sure which one I like better. They're just so unlike anything else in the NHL these days. Shame we have to look back a century to find quality hockey sweaters.

By the way, Icethetics reader and Habs fan Adam makes a good point. The actually 100th anniversary date — December 4 — isn't listed as a Centennial jersey night. Makes you wonder if they have something else entirely up their sleeve that night as they face the Bruins. (I wish the Bs would sport that Winter Classic sweater a month early.)

Anyway, thanks again to those of you who contributed to this post. I'm adding the special dates to the calendar now.

Making Up for the Week

Being sick is not fun. I'm certainly glad to be back. The good news is that the season has started so most of you probably haven't even missed me.

All right, so since I haven't updated the site in a week, there's a lot to catch up on. I'll try not to overlook anything, but it's inevitable. We'll start with your favorite — third jersey news.

First, another rendering of the Colorado Avalanche's forthcoming third jersey has surfaced.

Avalanche's new third jerseyWhile surfing the web, Icethetics reader Colin stumbled across this graphic, which gives us a better look at the Avs' new alternate. It's not a bad looking jersey, though I am surprised they chose not to try something new.

It's a blue version of the burgundy third introduced in 2001, in service until the Age of Reebok in 2007.

The main difference is the addition of a burgundy shoulder yoke and the lack of any striping around the base of the sweater. The primary logo will still appear on the shoulders.

Still no word yet on when the team plans to launch the new sweater or even make official mention of it in any way. All information about it so far has been coming through the media.

That brings us to the Florida Panthers, who are in kind of the same boat. After a summer of silence, I'm now getting mixed reports on whether they will even have a third this season.

However, various sources have me convinced there will in fact be a new sweater in the Cats' arsenal this fall. For one thing, it's available for pre-order on some web sites.

According to the latest round of rumors, the Panthers are set to unveil the new alternate sweater sometime this month, with its on-ice and store shelf debut scheduled for November. I'll keep an eye and ear out for any new information.

It's all speculation of course, but my guess is they'll be red and feature the stick-breaking panther logo on the front, as seen above. Technically, I live in the Panthers' market so I may even see something on TV.

I suppose the biggest newsmaker of the week would have to be Buffalo Sabres when managing partner Larry Quinn went on the radio and told everyone the club is scrapping their jerseys once again.

Charlie at Sabres Not Slugs has a report, which includes a link to the WGR 550 audio interview in question. In it, Quinn confirms that new uniforms are on the way in 2010.

"We have the 40th anniversary next fall," Quinn says. "We will have a permanent uniform change and a new third jersey."

Of course the word "permanent" is used loosely in Buffalo of a team enduring its fourth uniform in as many decades. However, Quinn assures us that fans will not be disappointed this time around and that a return to the classic look is indeed coming.

He says it "probably won't be [released] until next summer." Icethetics will have coverage.

He doesn't say specifically what they'll look like — whether we should expect versions of the current third or something more like the true vintage worn at the 2008 Winter Classic — but it's a safe bet that the slug is on its way out the door.

As a side note, I would guess that the Canucks might have a similar plan in pushing the 40th anniversary celebration back a year so that they can call it the 40th season (damn lockout). Wonder if they too will make a "permanent" uniform change. So many similarities between Buffalo and Vancouver.

So much news to cover still. Although this may barely pass as news, it's a win for all of you who loathe the Age of Reebok. Slowly their fist of stone is being chipped away. Both the Flames and Senators have done away with the socks whose stripes don't go all the way around the calves.

Senators get new socks

Icethetics reader Ryan has provided this side-by-side comparison (right) of Jason Spezza last year to this year.

Notice they've even changed the design of the stripes. I thought last year's worked better because of the similarity to the stripes in the "O" patch on the shoulder.

As you can see, real stripes are back in. This leaves just a single team wearing those other socks — my team, the Lightning. Oh well, it works for them. (What else can I really say?)

And since we're on the topic of socks, my previous report on the Calgary Flames came merely from a video game — NHL 10 to be precise.

It's time to take a look at the real things in action. Look no further — here are the Flames in preseason action against the Islanders.

Flames get new socks as well

Yes, that is Theo Fleury. Poor guy. (Well, not really.) He's also got that laughable 30th anniversary patch on his shoulder there.

But despite all the bad Calgary Flames news, there's some good as well. The 2009-10 NHL season opened this past Thursday with the Flames taking to the ice against the Canucks looking like they haven't in 15 years!

It was the debut of their new retro jersey — which only sees action in four more games this season — one of which is tomorrow. Now this is a hockey jersey!

They're not just celebrating a goal — they're happy about their jerseys too

I like they there were no compromises with either the socks or pants. Flames fans, as I said, you have four more chances to see these in person. If I were you, I wouldn't miss them.

I'm sure there are things I've missed, but I will get to them this week. This should hold you over for now.