Winter Classic: What Might've Been

Online retailer apparently leaks 2013 Winter Classic T-shirts

Just a couple of days after the 2013 NHL Winter Classic was supposed to take place, we're getting a sneak peek at what the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs would've worn — and what they might be wearing when the outdoor game does move to 2014.

The above images were posted Wednesday on the SportsLogos.net message boards by Pizzaman7294. They were downloaded from FansEdge.com, an online retailer of sports merchandise. And while the T-shirts don't appear to be listed as available products on the public area of the website, the images still exist in the site's database.

The Winter Classic was originally scheduled for Tuesday at The Big House in Ann Arbor, Mich. but the lack of a new CBA led the NHL to cancel the game along with about half of the season so far. (You don't need me to tell you about that.) We never did see the jerseys, though the logo was unveiled by the Red Wings over the summer.

It's expected that the game will simply be shifted to next season — Jan. 1, 2014 — with the location and opponents remaining the same. Presumably, then, the Wings and Leafs will wear the same jerseys and logos that were originally designed for the 2013 game.

What do you think of the designs seen above? Do they have you looking forward to the Winter Classic finally being played? Maybe they'll get some of our concept artists thinking!

Winter Classic Shifts to Desert, Indoors

Despite the preceding headline and logo, the world, in fact, did not end today. Then again the day isn't yet over. So we'll see what happens. But while we're all still here, it's back to the blogging grind for me.

On Tuesday, the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers announced that they will be hosting the Ontario Reign for the Indoor Winter Classic at the Orleans Arena on Jan. 1, 2013. Yes. This story is too funny not to be true. The Wranglers have a marketing department that just can't help themselves. And why should they? Got to do something to rally a tourist town around your hockey team.

In fact, the press release itself demonstrates a refreshing sense of humor that we don't often get from professional hockey teams. Take a look.

“The game will feature many arena doors being left open in hope of creating unpredictable breeze patterns,” said Wranglers President and Chief Operating Officer Billy Johnson. “We are hoping for quite a draft.”

A trophy, which is currently being built, will be presented to the winning team and will feature a chain and a padlock somewhere in the design. The emphasis on the chain and lock is as yet undetermined because it’s a “budget matter,” said a team representative.

Advance weather forecasts for inside the arena call for intermittent snow for the Indoor Winter Classic, as well as the sound of whistling winds throughout the game.

“We hope that with time the Indoor Winter Classic grows and we will be forced to move it outdoors,” Johnson said.

Fans will be allowed to skate with the Wranglers following the Indoor Winter Classic, and rental skates will be provided at no additional charge.

In previous seasons the Wranglers have presented Dick Cheney Hunting Vest Night, Rod Blagojevich Prison Uniform Night, and Rapture Night: The Last Hockey Game on Earth. The Wranglers have also played at least one game at midnight since its inception in 2003, and hosted such performers as Mini Kiss and Tony Clifton at games.

A "budget matter," said a team representative. That line alone made me actually laugh out loud. You know why? Because if you can't laugh about this asinine lockout, you'll only cry. Good on the Wranglers for at least making a little extra cash off of it. Somebody should.

The team also says it will host Over 18 Night: The World's First Topless Hockey Game on Feb. 4. Only in Vegas. Can't wait to see the special jerseys for that game! Er... well.

Winter Classic Logo Finally Unveiled!

Earlier today, the Detroit Red Wings unveiled the newest NHL Winter Classic logo via Instagram. And I can't help but notice how this one doesn't have a year on it.

On one hand, I was thinking this unveiling is a good sign for the season. The higher-ups must have hope they'll reach a deal that won't create an extended work stoppage. On the other hand, if they were so confident, why wouldn't they put the year on the logo — just like it has been for every other Winter Classic?

So I'm still not sure what to think. You guys have any thoughts on this?

If the season goes as planned, the Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Standium (also known as The Big House) in Ann Arbor on January 1, 2013. It'll be the sixth such event and the first to feature a Canadian club.

Still waiting on jerseys, though recent reports suggest the Leafs will sport replicas of their 1927 blue sweaters while the Wings will wear some of that trendy vintage white. The current standard in the NHL is for the home team to wear its dark jersey while the road club wears white. Been that way since 2003. The Winter Classics have followed suit except for the first one in 2008, hosted by the Sabres, who wore a white throwback uniform.

Leafs Reviving the '30s This Winter?

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be resurrecting their 1930s-era jerseys for a second time when they hit the ice for their first Winter Classic next January, according to one report.

The usually-reliable Howard Berger posted details yesterday on his blog, Berger Bytes, citing a "merchandising source" who tipped him off to last season's new third jersey as well.

Berger refers to it as the 1931 jersey, but according to the well-researched Hockey Uniform Database, it actually debuted in 1927 when the Leafs first changed their colors from green to blue. However, in 1930, shoulder stripes were added to the design.

The look, featuring 12 white stripes down each sleeve, was retired in 1934 in favor of just two white stripes at the elbows. But the Winter Classic will, in fact, be the second time fans will get to see these sweaters in action since 1934.

They were worn at least twice during the 1996-97 season. Berger even has dates and newspaper clippings with photos (Nov. 2, 1996 and Feb. 22, 1997). The team wore the throwbacks to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Maple Leaf Gardens.

So what do you think? Should the Maple Leafs go with this look for their first outdoor appearance? Or is there something else they should consider?

By the way, it's August 2, and not only have jerseys yet to be unveiled for Detroit or Toronto, but we still haven't seen an official 2013 Winter Classic logo. I can't imagine we'll have to wait too much longer for any of it to be unveiled.

Wings and Leafs to Meet Outdoors in 2013

The rumors are true. The Detroit Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium — known as The Big House — in the 2013 NHL Winter Classic. There's no logo yet, but the graphic above was provided by the league and used during today's announcement.

The game returns to New Year's Day — January 1 — which will fall on a Tuesday next season. The event will also mark a couple firsts. It's the first time a Canadian team will be involved in what has traditionally been a TV event between popular American-based franchises. It's also the first time Winter Classic opponents have been from different conferences.

In addition, the Winter Classic event itself will actually be much bigger than it's been before — requiring two separate venues for all of the planned festivities. Comerica Park (home of the MLB's Detroit Tigers) will host the alumni game and more ahead of the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium (home of the University of Michigan's Wolverines football team).

In the NHL's press release there was no specific mention of the specialty uniforms for the big game. And as you can see, the current primary logos for both teams were on display. But it's still early. We'll keep an eye on it. Perhaps we'll get a summer press conference to unveil the jerseys.

But then, predicting when the NHL will make announcements about the Winter Classic has become difficult lately. Here's how the timing has worked out in the past.

• 2008 Sabres/Penguins: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo — Game announced Sept. 17, 2007. Jerseys for both teams unveiled in early November.
• 2009 Blackhawks/Red Wings: Wrigley Field, Chicago — Game announced July 16, 2008. Jerseys for both teams unveiled Oct. 25, 2008.
• 2010 Bruins/Flyers: Fenway Park, Boston — Game announced July 15, 2009. Flyers jerseys unveiled Sept. 11, 2009; Bruins jerseys unveiled Sept. 17, 2009.
• 2011 Penguins/Capitals: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh — Game announced July 27, 2010. Capitals jerseys unveiled Oct. 2, 2010; Penguins jerseys unveiled Oct. 28, 2010.
• 2012 Flyers/Rangers: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia — Game announced Sept. 26, 2011. Flyers jerseys unveiled Nov. 21, 2011; Rangers jerseys unveiled Nov. 28, 2011.
• 2013 Red Wings/Maple Leafs: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor — Game announced Feb. 9, 2012. Jerseys to be announced.

So basically, until this season, we could expect the game to be announced in the summer (July) followed by jerseys in the fall, right before the season or just after the start of it. With the Flyers/Rangers game, everything got pushed back. Today's announcement threw everything off again. So, while we can presume the jerseys will still have to wait for the fall, it's really anyone's guess.