B-Sens Sport Ottawa Throwbacks

B-Sens throwbacks / photo by Just Sports PhotographyThe AHL's Binghamton Senators hit the ice last week looking about 100 years old — at least as far as their uniforms went.

On Saturday, the B-Sens wore striped specialty jerseys that paid tribute to the original incarnation of the NHL's Ottawa Senators from 1930s — complete with the barber-pole stripes and the big O. While wearing them, the Senators beat the Rochester Americans 2-1.

For the record, I would've posted this sooner, but you may have noticed the All-Star jerseys took center stage this week. So we go from super-futuristic to super-old today.

The game-worn sweaters are currently up for auction on NHL.com by MeiGray.

So the question is this: Should we expect to see these in Ottawa at some point to come? And while I can't answer that for certain, I can tell you the SENS jersey is going away.

Multiple sources suggest that a new alternate sweater is in the works for the Senators, being prepared for a 2011-12 launch. Many fans have been pushing for a throwback jersey for years, especially concept designer Jacob Barrette. His design is absolutely outstanding.

It's unknown what the new third jersey would look like, but I do hope they avoid the B-Sens' throwback. The Montreal Canadiens did something similar for their 100th anniversary and it did not turn out well. It's fine for a game or two, but let's not make a habit of it.

Update on Saturday · Jan 15 · 2011 | 3:09 PM PST by Chris

There were a couple of links I forgot to include when I posted this yesterday. First, the Ottawa Senators posted a photo gallery on their website from the Binghamton-Rochester game. So if you want to see more, that's where to go.

Also, the blog Sens Town did a write-up on the specialty jersey in advance of the game last week. They express their disappointment that the farm club beat Ottawa to the punch on these throwbacks — among other complaints. But the way I see, Binghamton was a test market. Say what you like about the NHL, but at least they don't go all willy-nilly with the specialty jerseys — regardless of what charities may benefit. Structure is good. My two cents.

Oil Kings Celebrate Soldiers

Mark Pysyk / photo from Oil KingsThe WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings held their Military Appreciation Day over the weekend and broke out some specialty sweaters to mark the occasion.

On Sunday, the Oil Kings hosted the Kootenay Ice, sporting jerseys made of red and blue camouflage. They're quite a sight, and in case this one picture isn't enough, the team has you covered with a full photo gallery on its website.

I've never seen a camo jersey looking quite like that. Two completely different hues on one uniform. And it may look silly but it's for a good cause. As usual, the sweaters were auctioned off after the game.

The Oil Kings wore special edition Military Appreciation Day jerseys to honour the Canadian Armed Forces, and the game-worn uniforms were then auctioned off. An impressive $7,475 was raised from the jersey auction, with proceeds going to Soldier On, a program that improves the quality of life of injured or ill Canadian Forces personnel and former personnel through physical activities.

That really is impressive when you consider it averages out to more than $350 per sweater. But Canadians do seem to love their junior hockey. Perhaps I too will learn that joy when I finally will myself to a Seattle Thunderbirds game.

Sadly, the Oil Kings lost 2-1 to the Ice on Military Appreciation Day. If you'd like to know more about the event and/or the game, look no further than the team's website.

Tattoo Artist Designs Jersey

Reign jersey by Corey MillerThe Ontario Reign have enlisted LA Ink tattoo artist Corey Miller to design their newest specialty sweater.

The unique red jerseys will be worn on Jan. 23 when the Reign host the Stockton Thunder. The uniforms will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the American Red Cross.

If you really want to see the intricacies of this design, click to enlarge the image. Despite said intricate details, this is actually a pretty sharp sweater — for a one-off number. Wouldn't want to see it become a habit, of course.

Too often we see what terrible manner of thing can come when a team tries too hard on a specialty jersey. The Everblades' recent holiday sweater comes instantly to mind, but we'll talk more about that later.

Thanks to Vinnie from the Reign for sending along an early look at this sweater.

Canucks Unveil New/Old Sweater!

Canucks unveil throwback sweaterThe Vancouver Canucks unveiled their new throwback jersey Wednesday night at the Summer Summit event for season ticket holders. The sweater is part of the team's 40th anniversary celebration and will be worn five times throughout the 2010-11 season.

Former Canuck Orland Kurtenbach was on hand at the event to model the new sweater in front of fans. It's a replica of the original sweater worn by the Canucks during their inaugural season in 1970.

It had been widely rumored that the Canucks would have a specialty sweater to celebrate the 40-year milestone. We finally got confirmation tonight. Plus, it was also announced that on Dec. 11, the team will retire Markus Naslund's No. 19 sweater.

Sedin sports retro lookThe Canucks also used the event to officially unveil their 40th anniversary logo, which now appears in the banner of the team's website. An anniversary patch will be worn on all jerseys throughout the season.

A few things to note about the new jersey, as modeled by league MVP Henrik Sedin (right):

• Original version of stick-in-rink logo is taller than it would later be
• The captain and alternate captain's letters are unusually large
• Check out the white V inside the sleeve stripes
• The original 1970 sweaters had no nameplates and nor do those used in this photo shoot but surnames are now required as part of NHL uniform regulations

The new sweater will make its on-ice debut on October 9 when the Canucks host the Los Angeles Kings exactly 40 years to the day from that inaugural game in 1970. Though they have yet to officially confirm it, reports say the Kings will also be donning retro threads for that game.

The Canucks currently have a blue alternate sweater with the updated stick-in-rink logo. I think this retro look makes for a nice balance. There has been no word on whether the current home and road jerseys will be replaced in the future, though rumors suggest it could happen as early as fall 2011.

You can learn more about the Canucks' 40th anniversary plans by clicking here. And that's all you really need to know. I'll leave you with this shot of Kurtenbach and Sedin. Now tell us what you think of this classic sweater.

Kings Draft Night Surprise

Forbort gets throwback jerseyThe host of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft surprised jersey geeks tonight when the Los Angeles Kings gave a purple and gold throwback jersey to their first round draft pick.

It's been rumored for some time that the Kings will wear a throwback jersey during the 2010-11 season opener against the Vancouver Canucks, as the two teams celebrate the 40 years since their first meeting. It seems this is an indication from the team of such intentions.

Derek Forbort (right) was taken 15th overall earlier tonight as the Kings took up hosting duties at the Staples Center for the draft. After posing for a couple of pictures, Forbort was given the standard black/purple home jersey before he went off to do interviews.

While I was watching the draft tonight, I managed to grab a quick photo that I shared on Twitter. In case you missed it, click here. And if that's not enough, the Kings have posted a photo gallery from the draft featuring Forbort in the gold and purple threads.

Update on Friday · Jun 25 · 2010 | 11:14 PM PDT by Chris

Just thought of a few other noteworthy draft night items. Most teams handed their new draftee the standard dark home jersey. But some strayed from the pack.

Most notably, the Buffalo Sabres gave 23rd overall Mark Pysyk the royal blue third jersey, which has been long-rumored to be taking full-time duty beginning this fall. Was that a hint?

If not, perhaps the big draft board itself was. The "slug" was nowhere to be found. Only the retro logo was used up there. The current primary logo — "Buffaslug" — was on the big board last year in Montreal.

Brock Nelson gets Isles' new road jerseyIn addition to the Sabres, the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks gave third jerseys to their draft picks. The Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets jerseys also featured their 10th anniversary patches. The Edmonton Oilers gave Taylor Hall the retro home jersey while the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche joined the New York Islanders in handing out road sweaters. For the Isles, it was the new sweater just unveiled at the team's Draft Party earlier in the night.

The Hurricanes, Stars, Bruins, Panthers, Coyotes, Canadiens, Ducks, Capitals, Blues, Red Wings, Penguins, Blackhawks, Rangers, Lightning and Thrashers gave regular home sweaters to their newest members. The Flames, Devils, Senators, Flyers, Maple Leafs and Canucks did not have first round picks this year.