Senators 3rd Jersey Poll

Current 3rd Jersey

Heritage Jersey

Ever since it appeared in a video on the Ottawa Senators' official web site, Jacob Barrette's Heritage jersey, has been getting a lot of press. Now Icethetics wants to know what you think about it all!

Which jersey do you like better? After introducing it just last year, should the Sens hang onto their new "SENS" jersey? Or should they send it to the scrap heap and go with Jacob's Heritage look? Vote now!

And after you've voted, if you'd like to sign the petition to get the Senators to adopt the Heritage jersey, click here.

Olympic First Look: Canada

— ICETHETICS EXCLUSIVE —

We're less than a week away from the official unveiling of Team USA's jerseys for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. And while I haven't yet come across a date for Team Canada's Olympic sweaters, I do have a first look for Icethetics readers.

Team Canada's 2010 Olympics red sweater

Kind of what a lot of fans were expecting. Classic, old-time hockey feel. Very impressive. Same with the white ones.

Team Canada's 2010 Olympics white sweater

The red shoulder yoke keeps the sweater from looking washed out. Now you're probably all wondering about that odd-looking crest, wanting a closer view. Check this out.

Team Canada's 2010 Olympics sweater crest

The subtle nod to the style of the Vancouver Olympics artwork all but makes these jerseys perfect. I'm no Canadian so I want to know what you guys think of these.

By the way, for those not in the loop, the reason this was such a big deal is that with the announcement that national federation logos would no longer be permitted as crests on Olympic jerseys (i.e.: Hockey Canada, USA Hockey, etc.), many wondered what the new sweaters would look like. Now you know.

Update on Friday · Aug 14 · 2009 | 11:28 AM PDT by Chris

For those who haven't heard, it's worth pointing out again. Team Canada will officially unveil these jerseys on Monday afternoon. Team USA will do the same. I will, as always, have pictures to share.

By the way, welcome Toronto Star readers! Once you get your fill of the Olympic jerseys, have a look around the site. I'm sure you'll find something you like.

Sens Hint at New 3rd Jersey?

An Ottawa Senators-centric blog called The 6th Sens picked up on a story tonight I'm sure a lot of Icethetics readers will be interested in. It has to do with the question of whether the club is contemplating a new third jersey for the near future.

The Sens introduced their infamous "Sens" jersey just last season, marketing themselves as "Back in Black," but recent renovations at ScotiaBank Place have us wondering whether that particular sweater is long for this world.

Instead, what about this?

It's a concept that has been floating around the web ever since the Senators introduced the new "O" logo in 2007 — maybe even before that.

I think at one point there was even a petition on behalf of Senators fans to get the team to adopt this jersey. Could their wish be coming true?

In an interview with SensTV's Gord Wilson, COO Cyril Leeder talked about a new addition to the arena called The O Store — he said it's a nod to the old days when the Sens wore that big O on their chest.

But it's not so much what he said in the video as it was the artist renderings that were shown. They depicted this very jersey design on the shelves of the new store.

Previewing the new O Store at ScotiaBank Place

As you can see, not only is that exact jersey on the self, but also the vintage "barber-pole" style similar to one of the classic sweaters the Canadiens wore last season. Here's another shot.

That awesome O jersey is all over the place

It makes you wonder whether this was some secret plan all along. But that's for conspiracy theorists. For the rest of us, it's a nod toward a very exciting possibility that Ottawa might at last have one of the best jerseys in the NHL — not long after unleashing one of the worst on us.

Here's the video in case you're interested in seeing some of the other renderings.

If for some reason that doesn't work for you, here's a direct link.

This isn't official and it may turn out to be nothing at all, but it's sure interesting to think about nonetheless. Thanks to Paul for the tip.

Update on Monday · Aug 10 · 2009 | 12:41 PM PDT by Chris

You guys and your silly comments. You never learn. Your loss.

Anyway, I did hear from Jacob, the designer of the now famous black "O" jersey, and he says while he has not been in contact with the team, he has spoken with the Ottawa Citizen. Perhaps the local media could be of some help in getting the the Senators into such a well-designed jersey one day.

In the meantime, you can always do your part by signing the petition.

Update on Monday · Aug 10 · 2009 | 10:03 PM PDT by Chris

The Ottawa Citizen now has a great article on this very subject. Definitely worth a read for Icethetics fans. Here's a brief excerpt.

Jacob Barrette is passionate about putting a new face on the Ottawa Senators, but it has nothing to do with whether Dany Heatley returns to the lineup or not.

For Barette, it’s all about old-time hockey, or at least the look of the good old days.

Barrette wants today’s Senators to dress more like the Senators clubs that won 11 Stanley Cups between 1903 and '27. He has 900 names on a petition asking the Senators to adopt a throwback look featuring a stylized "O" on the front of their jerseys with broad stripes behind it.

"I just think it’s a good way to promote the history of the team and its roots in Ottawa," says Barrette, who owns a graphics design company and teaches graphic design at La Cité Collégiale. "I think they’ve done a good job of promoting the team towards kids, but I think they’re lacking a bit in celebrating the heritage of having an NHL team in Ottawa."

The Senators clearly believe there’s at least some marketing appeal to the old look. Ottawa players have worn a smaller "O" as a shoulder patch on their uniforms for the past two National Hockey League seasons and a select number of vintage "O" souvenir sweaters have been sold at the club's merchandise store at Scotiabank Place.

Last week, the Senators also announced they would be opening the "O Store" in the second level at Scotiabank Place, where fans could buy a wider selection of the vintage jerseys and souvenirs featuring the club’s traditional gladiator logo.

There are no plans, however, for Senators players to sport the "O" on the front of their jerseys for the 2009-10 season, a team spokesman says.

Take note. No plans for the Sens to wear this one next season. But it doesn't say anything about 2010 and beyond.

Bruins Plan Outdoor Jersey

The Boston Bruins are hard at work right now deciding what they'll wear when they take to the frozen pond against the Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park this January.

The Boston Globe had some interesting notes regarding the discussions and a few quotes worth repeating. You can find the full article by Fluto Shinzawa here or read it with the Icethetics commentary that follows.

Sizing Up a Classic Jersey

The Bruins, deep in discussions about the sweater they’ll wear for the Winter Classic, are hoping to create a jersey that can catch a piece of the magic the Penguins created two years ago. For the 2008 outdoor game at Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Penguins went retro, pulling their 1968-69 jersey design out of mothballs. Today, the powder blue sweater —the Penguins switched to black and gold in 1979-80, following in the footsteps of the Steelers and Pirates — remains one of the league's top-selling items.

"That worked," said Bruins principal Charlie Jacobs, "because they’re not necessarily their team colors. There's no black or gold. It's a powder blue jersey, and that made it unique. It's certainly recognized in their market. It's not like the Pirates, Steelers, or anything else. It's unique."

No one has hit it as big as the Penguins with an alternate jersey. I think the Chicago Blackhawks are hoping to grab a little piece of their success by turning their Winter Classic uniforms into an alternate for the upcoming season.

Jacobs hopes that by the end of August, the Bruins, in conjunction with Reebok and the NHL, will settle on a design that will serve multiple purposes: capture the Bruins’ heritage, stand out as a unique item for the New Year’s Day game against the Flyers at Fenway Park, and convince fans to hand over their money.

"We've had some really good meetings with Reebok and the NHL regarding what we think will be most appropriate to our market," Jacobs said. "We’ve looked at some traditions of our organization and our storied history."

Jacobs keeps using the word unique and likes that the Penguins went with a color that is no longer part of their regular uniforms. This leads me to think he'd be a fan of brown jerseys for the 2010 Winter Classic.

So far, the Bruins have audited every jersey in team history, looking at elements they like and ones that, in retrospect, might have been tweaked. Jacobs said the final product could be a retro jersey, or it could be a new uniform that incorporates different treatments. Black and gold would most likely be involved in the final design. But the Bruins also have worn jerseys featuring dark brown and mustard yellow tones.

The mustard yellow could work in the context of the Winter Classic but I say they go with something out of the ordinary. Brown is definitely out of the ordinary. I also think that some version of the logo currently seen on the third jersey should not be out of the question. After all, it too is based on the Bs' logo history.

It needs to stand out from the Bruins' current home and road sweaters, which are widely considered to be among the best in the league right now. That being said, it needs to be better than or on level with these. A disappointing design will take a lot of the steam out overall feel of the game.

But that's only my point of view. I know you have one too. Share it and share any concept designs you may have put together. Email them to me if you want them added to this post.

Sweater Switch '09, Part 1

I've gotten a lot of great suggestions from you guys about new features for Icethetics. Obviously, I haven't lost sight of our other unfinished projects (IceHL, logo tourneys, etc.). They'll be back soon enough. In the meantime, Evan writes in with an idea that's much closer to the heart of Icethetics than the Summer Moves Tracker.

We're all about jerseys here, right? Tonight marks the first edition of Sweater Switch '09, a summer series taking a look at players wearing new uniforms — and sometimes new numbers. As teams hold press conferences to introduce blockbuster free agent signees and other new players to their local media, I'll start gathering photos to share.

This should come as no shock, but I'm kicking things off with my team. Today, the Lightning introduced first round draft picks Victor Hedman and Carter Ashton to the public.

Carter Ashton (seated, left) and VIctor Hedman

Hedman opted for the No. 77 jersey because he "always looked up to Ray Bourque," according to the Lightning's Facebook page. Meanwhile, Ashton has declared he will not choose a number until he actually makes the NHL. Wise.

John TavaresDrafted first overall by the New York Islanders was John Tavares.

He was also introduced to fans and media on Long Island at the Nassau Veterns Memorial Coliseum. He donned his No. 91 sweater. No surprise there.

Tavares wore the same number through juniors and while I haven't been able to track down his reasoning, I can tell you it's not his birth year. He was born in 1990.

If anyone knows, drop me a line and I'll update this post. UPDATE: Scroll down to the comments and look for Jacob's extended explanation of Tavares' choice.

Sticking with the draft day theme, it was then that Chris Pronger was told he'd be joining a new team.

Chris ProngerOn Monday afternoon, Philadelphia media got their first look at him in his new orange Flyers jersey.

Pronger will wear the No. 20 sweater this season to honor his father who wore it in a senior hockey league.

He previously wore No. 25 with the Ducks, now worn by teammate Matt Carle. And earlier in his career Pronger was No. 44 during his long tenure with the St. Louis Blues. Kimmo Timonen wears that one in the black and orange.

We'll end Part 1 with new Minnesota Wild member, Martin Havlat, seen below.

Martin HavlatI haven't been able to track down much on Havlat's intro to the local media, aside from this picture and the fact that it took place last Friday, July 3. According to the team's web site, he's got the No. 14 jersey, though you can't tell here.

Last year in Chicago, Havlat wore No. 24, but Derek Boogaard already has that one tied up in Minnesota.

And that wraps things up for this edition of Sweater Switch '09. As ever, if you've got any pictures or links to share, you have my email address. Part 2 will be about as soon as I have another handful of players to talk about. I can tell you that Mattias Ohlund and Matt Walker arrive in Tampa on Thursday. When pictures from their presser surface, I'll have them.

One more thing. Thanks again to Evan for the idea of this series!