Sens, Flames Unofficial 3rd Skeds

A couple of Icethetics readers sent in third jersey schedules for the Senators and Flames. While I've been unable to independently verify them, they have been accurate to date.

We have multiple news items related to the Ottawa Senators alternate sweater, which will apparently see action tonight against Atlanta. There's an unofficial 10-game schedule, plus a possible brand new jersey.

First, the third jersey schedule comes from Sens fan Jason G., who tells me his season ticket agent provided the following home dates:

• Thu., Oct. 28 - vs Florida
• Tue., Nov. 9 - vs Atlanta
• Wed., Nov. 24 - vs Dallas
• Sat., Dec. 4 - vs Buffalo
• Mon. Dec. 13 - vs Atlanta
• Sat., Jan. 8 - vs Tampa Bay
• Tue., Jan. 18 - vs Anaheim
• Tue., Feb. 15 - vs NY Islanders
• Tue., Mar. 1 - vs Boston
• Thu., Mar. 17 - vs New Jersey

Ironically, the only team that will face the Sens in black this season more than once is the only team that has an equally bad, if not worse, alternate uniform — the Thrashers.

Remember, though this schedule was obtained through the team, it's not official until it comes through the team's PR people.

The other item comes from my favorite kind of source — the anonymous kind. (Sarcasm, for those unfamiliar.) I'm told the Senators have been doling out free third jerseys with ticket purchases lately.

"When I inquired about whether or not they'll be launching a vintage third or heritage [jersey]," the source explains, "I was greeted with a smile...but no official answer."

That doesn't tell us much but it was in my inbox and thought it worth sharing. Next season marks the Sens' (and Lightning's) 20th anniversary (1992-2012). Could they have a new alternate sweater in the works to celebrate?

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Additionally, we have an unofficial third jersey schedule for the Calgary Flames. Again, I haven't been able to independently verify it, but four of the dates have already passed and game photos show the sweater was indeed used on those nights.

Icethetics reader Jeff T. sent along a link from the Calgarypuck Forums, in which a user called A Money offered up the schedule without citing its source. It features the following 12 home games:

• Sun., Oct. 10 - vs Los Angeles
• Sat., Oct. 16 - vs Edmonton
• Sat., Oct. 30 - vs Washington
• Wed., Nov. 3 - vs Detroit
• Wed., Nov. 17 - vs Phoenix
• Sat., Dec. 18 - vs Minnesota
• Fri., Dec. 31 - vs Colorado
• Wed., Jan. 26 - vs St. Louis
• Wed., Feb. 9 - vs Ottawa
• Sun., Mar. 6 - vs Nashville
• Sat., Mar. 12 - vs Vancouver
• Wed., Apr. 6 - vs Edmonton

The user also points out the Flames were scheduled to wear their white road sweaters in front of the home fans on Thursday, Oct. 28. Which they did.

And if I'm being honest, the above picture is from last season, before the design was converted to a Reebok Edge jersey. But the only thing that's really changed is the collar and the hemline — and the 30th anniversary patch.

Although the dates are unofficial, I'm adding both schedules to the sidebar calendar.

Rangers to Reveal New Sweater

The New York Rangers have announced their plans for Heritage Week, part of their 85th anniversary celebrations this season, including the launch of their new third jersey.

It all starts Friday evening at Rockefeller Center when the Rangers unveil what they're calling their "Heritage Jersey" — the new alternate uniform that will be worn occasionally throughout the 2010-11 season. This event will take place at 6:30 PM eastern.

Avery in the Heritage JerseyAt the same time at the NHL Store in New York City will be another Rangers Heritage Jersey Event, where fans will be able to purchase the new throwback sweater for the first time. And just so we're not forgetting, we actually have seen this jersey before. Sean Avery leaked it.

Heritage Week continues through the weekend when the new sweater becomes available for fans to purchase at Madison Square Garden during Sunday's game when the Rangers host the Edmonton Oilers at 12:30 PM eastern. That's a 9:30 AM puck drop for west coasters (of which I am soon to be one).

According to the official Heritage Week schedule on the Rangers' website, the new Heritage Jersey will make its official on-ice debut on Wednesday, Nov. 17 when the Rangers host the Boston Bruins.

So there you have it. I meant to post this last week but you wouldn't believe how all planning to move can eat up your day. Thanks to everyone who emailed in about it.

As for the jersey itself, I'm eager to see it in action for the first time this weekend. I'm sure the cell phone quality photo we've had for a couple months now doesn't do it justice.

Canucks Jersey Sked is Here

The Vancouver Canucks released a schedule detailing when their two special sweaters will be used during the 2010-11 season.

In addition to the third jersey introduced in 2008, the Canucks will sport a throwback jersey to celebrate 40 years in the National Hockey League. The new sweater debuted on opening night at Rogers Arena when the Canucks hosted the Los Angeles Kings for the 40th anniversary night.

Icethetics reader Kevin wrote in yesterday with the link via Twitter. I'm not sure how long this schedule has been posted on the Canucks' website, though. The alternate will be worn on nine occasions while the vintage sweater gets a total of five games.

First, the full third jersey schedule as follows:

• Fri., Oct. 22 - vs Minnesota
• Sat., Nov. 20 - vs Chicago
• Sun., Dec. 5 - vs St. Louis
• Tue., Dec. 28 - vs Philadelphia
• Fri., Jan. 7 - vs Edmonton
• Sat., Jan. 22 - vs Calgary
• Mon., Feb. 7 - vs Ottawa
• Sat., Feb. 26 - vs Boston
• Sat., Apr. 2 - vs Edmonton

Interestingly, the month of March seems to be the most popular for third jerseys around the rest of the league. Vancouver doesn't plan to wear anything special then.

Now, the short retro jersey schedule:

• Fri., Oct. 9 - vs Los Angeles
• Tue., Oct. 26 - vs Colorado
• Sat., Nov. 6 - vs Detroit
• Sat., Dec. 18 - vs Toronto
• Tues., Feb. 22 - vs Montreal

Obviously, four of the above dates have already past but better late than never, right?

I also have unofficial third jersey schedules for the Flames and Senators. Those will be going up as soon as I can find a moment to spare.

Jackets Set Third Jersey Launch

The Columbus Blue Jackets have officially announced plans for the launch of their brand new third jersey for 2010-11.

Several Icethetics readers — thanks to all of you — sent along a link to an article on the Blue Jackets' website, announcing that the sweater will be unveiled on Wed., Nov. 24, the day before Thanksgiving, and it's kind of weird, actually.

But before I get to that, here's a look at the image being used on the team's website to promote the unveiling (right).

Are we safe in assuming the sweater will be blue and grey? And that it will have a cannon, as previously alluded? The graphic does say "heavy artillery" after all.

Now for the unveiling itself, the Blue Jackets are on Long Island that night. The event will take place at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Dublin, Ohio during the first intermission of the game. Video screens will be in place so folks can watch the game there too. Then the jersey will be revealed after the first period to those in attendance while also being broadcast live on FOX Sports Ohio during the telecast.

It is odd, yes, until you realize the event is sponsored by Lexus. With money changing hands, no spectacle is too contrived or outlandish. For those outside of Ohio, I'll see if I can watch the telecast on GameCenter Live that night and grab some some still frames for the blog. Though I'm certain it won't take long for photos to turn up online.

For those of you in Columbus, the jerseys go on sale the same night at FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line at the mall. And you won't be able to buy one anywhere else from then on until after Cyber Monday. Do these guys have a marketing plan or what? Best way to create demand? Strangle supply.

The press release, as it were (and not in any way an advertisement), also details the 15 games in which the new uniforms will be worn. As previously reported, the debut will take place two nights after the unveiling.

Blue Jackets' former third jerseyThe complete schedule includes three nights on the road:

• Fri., Nov. 26 - vs Detroit
• Sun., Nov. 28 - @ Detroit
• Fri., Dec. 3 - @ Buffalo
• Sat., Dec. 4 - vs Pittsburgh
• Sat., Dec. 11 - vs NY Rangers
• Sat., Dec. 18 - vs Dallas
• Mon., Dec. 27 - vs Minnesota
• Fri., Dec. 31 - vs Ottawa
• Fri., Jan. 14 - vs Detroit
• Sat., Feb. 5 - vs Edmonton
• Fri., Feb. 18 -  @ Chicago
• Thu., Mar. 17 - vs Detroit
• Sun., Mar. 20 - vs New Jersey
• Fri., Apr. 1 - vs Chicago
• Sat., Apr. 9 - vs Buffalo

And you'll notice I've used Columbus' previous third jersey (2003-2007) in the photo above as I have no photos of the new one, of course. It is the ONLY sweater new this season that has not been leaked in any manner. Even I haven't seen it yet. I'm impressed.

Let me just say this: If anything does leak between now and Nov. 24, I will be highly disappointed. Let there be at least one unveiling that surprises all of us. Please.

Stars Seeing Green in 2011?

The Dallas Stars are mulling the possibility of adding a green third jersey for the 2011-12 season, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.

It sounds too good to be true, but in a brief article posted online Thursday morning, Heika gave us the following tidbits to drool over.

The Stars are currently pondering a third jersey that could debut as early next season, and the early word is that it will be green and it will have an old school NHL look. There's no word yet on whether the green is "North Stars" green or the more traditional Dallas forest green.

The final decisions have not been made, but if the team wants to get NHL clearance for use in the 2011-12 season, it will have to present a finished sweater to the league before the end of December. One highly-place insider did mention that cows and fallopian tubes have already been ruled out.

I've been eager to see Dallas bring back the green sweater ever since they ditched it in 2007. Normally, I would say just throw the primary logo on it — and run away from it (as my boss would say). However, the Stars are in such dire straits regarding uniforms that I'd recommend taking another stab at a brand new logo.

Indeed, the last time they tried this it was 2003 and we ended up with the all too unforgettable "Mooterus." (Hockey fans are nothing if not creative when nicknaming things they don't like.) Still, the primary logo is fine, but if we're going to do an alternate jersey, let's do one.

Which brings me to the topic of conversation in the comments: What do you think the Stars should do with their next third sweater?

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By the way, I know the cobwebs are starting to show here on the site and I appreciate you guys not harassing me about it. Moving is a pain, but getting to live/work in Seattle will be worth the trouble in the end. I'm doing my best to stay on top of important/NHL news and notes here on the blog, but some of the other stuff might get put on the back burner for a little while. Should all be back to normal by Christmas time.