Kansas City Islanders?

KCTV news report on NHL in KCDon't bet on it. But in the last couple of weeks, some interesting rumors have circulated out of Long Island, including the Islanders relocating to Kansas City, Missouri. I was just wondering what you guys thought about it.

One of my favorite websites for tracking sports franchise news is Dan Krieger's Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report at OurSports Central. He posted the following report last Monday (July 19):

The town of Hempstead on Long Island (NY) has limited the scope of a proposed development around Nassau Coliseum, home to the NHL's New York Islanders. This could put an end to planned renovations for the arena, so there has been speculation the Islanders' owner will consider relocating to Kansas City, Las Vegas, Seattle, or a new arena planned for Brooklyn.

This "speculation" was actually backed up by a local TV station in Kansas City, who made the graphic above. They also spoke with NYI Point Blank blogger and former Isles media relations VP Chris Botta by phone. Without hesitation, he says it's not going to happen. Not even a little bit.

Despite a "70% hack of [Charles] Wang's county-approved vision for the property surrounded the [Nassau Veterans Memorial] Coliseum," Botta writes on his blog, the owners "want to keep the Islanders in Nassau."

Of course the Islanders haven't said anything publicly about it, nor will they, but I thought it was an interesting notion to see a 38-year-old, 4-time Stanley Cup champion team at the hands of such a rumor. I think it'd be nice to see hockey back in Kansas City. I'm sure even Las Vegas would be a great draw. But what still shocks me is the lack of pro hockey in the Pacific Northwest — namely, Portland and Seattle.

And if the Islanders were to move to Brooklyn, would it come with a name change — say, to Americans? All I know is it seems there's very little chance the Isles will actually leave Long Island. But it's always interesting to think about.

Draft Day Checklist

It's NHL draft day and a handful of teams around the Hockeyverse have jerseys and logos to unveil at some point tonight. So what good would Icethetics be if it didn't offer you a checklist of what's coming?

So here's how the schedule shakes out:

• 5:30 PM - Doors open at the New York Islanders Draft Party, where John Tavares, Matt Moulson and Trevor Gillies will be on hand to officially unveil and model the team's new white road sweater. A raffle will give fans the chance to go home with these jerseys right off the guys' backs, complete with a fresh autograph. [details]
• 6:00 PM - The AHL's Charlotte Checkers are unveiling their new uniforms at a draft day party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Charlotte. It's widely expected they will adopt a uniform design similar to that of their new NHL affiliate, the Carolina Hurricanes. [details]
• 7:00 PM - Hockey Greenville will unveil the name of its new ECHL franchise, formerly known as the Johnstown Chiefs. An email sent to fans today doesn't specifically say whether colors or a logo will also be revealed, but it is expected. The event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Plaza in downtown Greenville. [details]

Did I miss anything? Drop me a line if so. Otherwise, these are the new logo and sweaters we're keeping an eye out for tonight.

Update on Friday · Jun 25 · 2010 | 4:08 PM PDT by Chris

It's just after 7 PM and we can check everything off of our Draft Day Checklist above.

Islanders unveil new road sweater

Islanders unveil new road sweaterThe New York Islanders unveiled their new road jersey at their Draft Party tonight.

As promised, last year's No. 1 overall pick John Tavares was on hand to model it alongside Matt Moulson and Trevor Gillies. A couple of photos were posted to the Islanders' Facebook page.

As expected, the new sweater is a white version of the blue jersey introduced two years ago as an alternate uniform. Both are throwbacks to sweaters worn by the Isles during the first 20 years of their existence — colors and all.

Charlotte Checkers unveil 3 jerseys

Checkers unveil new uniformsThe AHL's Charlotte Checkers have unveiled their new home, road and third uniforms along with a special alternate logo.

They did so at their NHL draft party tonight in Charlotte. And as predicted, the home and road jerseys are carbon copies of what their NHL affiliate Carolina Hurricanes wear.

There was a surprise, though, that came by way of the third jersey. The black sweater features a brand new logo, which combines elements of Checkers and Hurricanes identities — incorporating the Canes' red storm flag.

Checkers' new alternate logoThe jerseys and logo were revealed by way of the Checkers' Twitter account tonight. The team has planned an overhaul of its website in July. While it currently features relevant news, the design is a carryover from their recent years in the ECHL when their colors were blue and red.

And on a personal note, I have to say I'm impressed with the new logo. Yes, it may seem weird that a polar bear is carrying a tropical storm flag on a hockey stick, but I just think the mark itself looks great!

The integration is nice so long as the Checkers and Hurricanes remain affiliated. When/if that ends, the logo becomes obsolete since, again, it's a polar bear with a tropical storm flag.

Greenville welcomes Road Warriors

The Greenville Road Warriors was revealed as the long-awaited name of the newest member of the ECHL tonight.

The team's name colors and logo were unveiled in an announcement by owner Neil Smith to fans in Greenville at the big event and on the club's new website, greenvilleroadwarriors.com.

A press release on that new site explained the symbolism of the team's name and colors, as chosen by the fans among the more than 5,000 name-the-team entries:

The name pays tribute to Greenville-Spartanburg’s current day business and cultural presence, while the logo features an intimidating warrior ready for battle. With the highway behind him, the fearless fighter appears on the road to victory.

The area hosts an integral piece of the South’s growing automotive industry — BMW manufacturing, tire manufacturer Michelin and Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research all make enormous contributions to the local economy — as well as a large and supportive communities geared towards cycling and race car enthusiasts.

Additionally, the team’s blue, white and copper colors mirror items unique to South Carolina. The blue and white represent the colors in the South Carolina state flag, while the copper highlights are similar to the sunset found on the state’s license plate — and typically on the horizon.

It wouldn't have been my first choice, but I don't live in Greenville. And you know what? It's better than Grrrowl. Isn't it?

More New Sweaters & Logos

The summer is officially here and this is the time of year when Icethetics-related news really kicks into high gear. Yesterday we got our first look at the logos for the Winter and Heritage Classics. But there's still so much more going on this week.

New Islanders jersey seen in video

Islanders new road jerseyIt's not like it was a big secret anyway, but the New York Islanders have tipped their hand by posting a video online which clearly displays their new white road jersey.

In interviews with alumni and current team employees, the new sweater is part of a string of historic Isles threads in the backdrop. It's exactly what's been rumored. But I won't call it official until Friday when it's unveiled at the draft party.

The video, which in and of itself is worth a mention on this blog, delves into the history of Islanders jerseys and logos — including that all too hard to forget Fishsticks Phase from the '90s. I'd embed it, but some people have had problems loading Icethetics when I do that. Instead, a link.

New details on Kings throwback

Kings set to wear throwbacksThe Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks will open the 2010-11 season just as they did exactly 40 years before. And they'll do so in a purple throwback jersey from the 1970s!

LA Kings Insider blogger Rich Hammond has once again said that the Kings will contribute to the Canucks' 40th anniversary celebration by donning vintage threads from their early years. He believes it will look like one worn between 1972 and 1980 (right). He also says it could be worn another three or four times throughout the season, but doesn't specify whether it would be worn against only the Canucks or other opponents too.

Retail sources have also claimed that the Canucks will have a white throwback jersey next season. If so, expect to see it debut on Oct. 9 for the season opener against L.A.

Sharks unveil multiple 20th year logos

The San Jose Sharks, never one to short us on logo options, will have five different 20th anniversary logos for use next season. The new marks were posted on the team's Facebook page yesterday.

The sleeve patch version was first posted on Icethetics a few weeks ago. A description of how it will be used on the uniforms was included in the press release:

All season long, the team will wear a 20th Anniversary San Jose Sharks patch on their sweater that will be placed on the left sleeve underneath the player’s number and above the stripe. The patch, which is 5¼” x 1¾”, combines the modern Shark with a powerful “double-XX” design, using the Roman numeral for the number “20” celebrating the team’s anniversary. This patch will also be placed on each player’s helmet.

I'm assuming they mean a sticker will be placed on the helmet, and that they're not actually going to sew a patch onto it. And as for the sleeve, it's unusual placement. Typically, you'd find an anniversary patch on the chest, but the players' numbers are in the way. Not sure why they don't just swap it out with one of the shark logos on the shoulders. Hopefully this doesn't clutter up the jersey too terribly.

In any event, if you were wondering what the other four logos will be used for, the Sharks' Facebook album describes them as (left to right, image above) primary crest, anniversary shield, classic fin and leaping shark. They're all well-designed and fit within the brand.

Blue Jackets unveil 10th anniversary logo

Blue Jackets' 10th anniversary patchThe Columbus Blue Jackets officially unveiled their 10th anniversary logo yesterday. It was first featured here on the blog a few weeks back.

Now the logo can be seen in patch form (right). And the team even has a whole press release about it on their website. Here's how it's described:

The logo features a representation of the state flag of Ohio flying on a silver flag pole above the stylized number "10" with a red and blue ribbon at the bottom featuring the team's official logo between the years 2000 and 2010.

The mark utilizes the team's primary colors of Union Blue, representing the color worn by the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War; Goal Red, in reference to the most exciting moment in hockey; and Capital Silver, signifying Columbus as the state capital of Ohio.

The release also points out the patch won't be worn on the sweaters until after the NHL Premiere games against San Jose in Stockholm. They'll have a special patch for that too, of course.

The Jackets' social media crew wasn't shy about sharing some pictures and video either. Enjoy these links to an image gallery and a neat video that reveals the logo.

AHL celebrates 75 seasons

Obviously there's a lot going on in the NHL these days, but I didn't want to leave out the AHL. It's the league's 75th season and it also marks the first time that every team has had its own NHL affililate.

The AHL revealed its plans to celebrate the milestone along with a special logo (left) which will be used throughout the season. It was designed by Derek Abraham of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment.

2011 AHL All-Star Classic logoCelebration plans include all teams wearing a special jersey patch along with a handful of teams opening the 2010-11 season in throwback uniforms. The 2011 AHL All-Star Classic will be hosted by the Hershey Bears and will feature players in vintage uniforms as well.

I'm including the logo in this post because I somehow overlooked its unveiling back on April 3. The AHL All-Star Classic will take place January 30-31, 2011. The game itself returns to an East-West format.

With the recent addition of the Oklahoma City Barons, there are now 30 AHL teams all with individual affiliations. I know it has nothing to do with the blog, but this might make for an interesting logo tournament: NHL logos vs AHL logos.

NHL Unveils Classic Logos!

The NHL released its 2010-11 schedule today and, in a graphic posted to NHL.com (above), also unveiled some new event logos for the season. You can see the Ovechkin and Crosby staring deep into each other's eyes with only the 2011 Winter Classic logo between them on the top right. And bottom left, it's Mike Cammalleri facing off against Jarome Iginla on either side of the new 2011 Heritage Classic mark.

Also included in this graphic are the NHL Premiere logos for the games taking place in Helsinki, Prague and Stockholm to open the season. They're nothing more than carryovers from previous European Premiere events. You may also note that one block of the image features only a Carolina Hurricanes jersey, implying that the 2011 NHL All-Star Game logo isn't yet ready for public consumption.

But that's not the only thing I wanted to mention this afternoon. Friday is the NHL Entry Draft, but it's also a day for parties and jersey and logo unveilings.

Islanders to unveil new road jersey

Isles unveiling new sweaterThe New York Islanders will officially unveil their new road sweaters at a draft day party on Friday at 5:30 PM Eastern.

An ad appearing on their website (right) serves as a pre-order form for fans not wanting to wait for theirs. Season ticket holders get 15% off.

I don't think it's any secret that this new jersey will be a white version of their royal blue third jersey — which is expected to become the new home uniform this year.

All will be revealed Friday night. But wait, do you see that in the draft party ad? Is that a logo for the 2010 New York Islanders Draft Party? Join me in the next story...

Draft Party logos? Really?

Islanders 2010 draft party logoYes, it seems at least three teams have kept their graphic artists busy at season's end, designing official draft party logos.

As seen above, the Islanders are all about it. Maybe its intent is to carry over the excitement from last year's draft when they had the first overall pick and everyone went crazy over John Tavares. They're down to 5th this year. All I'm saying is I'm just not sure people are going to be buying their 2010 Draft Party t-shirts in droves or anything.

Rangers and Oilers draft party logosBut as I said, the Isles weren't alone in this. Both the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers are also promoting their draft parties with special logos.

The Rangers came up with something very open and simple. The Oilers pretty much based theirs off of the NHL Entry Draft logo — at least the text part of it.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it and none of these teams made the playoffs, so it's not like the designers have had anything else to worry about since April, but I just found it a little strange.

Other teams hosting draft parties include the Blue Jackets, Predators, Thrashers, Sabres, Blues, Hurricanes, and Coyotes. And of course the Kings are hosting the biggest draft party of the year — the draft itself.

Anyway, that's not all that's going down on Friday...

Greenville to unveil newest ECHL team

The ECHL's newest member, based in Greenville, S.C. finally reveal all on Friday when they unveil the team's name, colors and logo!

The team accepted name submissions from fans but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. This team, formerly the Johnstown Chiefs, was relocated to South Carolina this summer and will begin play in the ECHL's 19-team 2010-11 season. They'll take on my Florida Everblades in their home opener on Oct. 21.

You can of course count on Icethetics for full coverage of the unveilings both on Long Island and in Greenville. So check back for all that late on Friday.

Isles to Reveal New Road Jersey

Isles' new road jersey unveilingThe New York Islanders announced that they will be unveiling a new road jersey at their draft party on June 25.

The Islanders Insider email, sent to fans this afternoon, says that John Tavares will be making a special appearance to model the new sweater.

The email doesn't go into specifics, but it is expected to be a white version of the Isles' current throwback third jersey. Icethetics readers Craig D. and Derek S. provided us with a look at the email.

If you want a preview of what that jersey is anticipated to look like, the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers started wearing it this season. Click here to see it in action.