Support Icethetics

First, I just want to thank everybody who's been visiting Icethetics for third jersey news and more over the past month. It's hard to believe Icethetics.info has only existed for 22 days now. Traffic to the site has been hitting all sorts of records lately and I couldn't be more excited.

However, with added visitors comes added costs. When I set up this new web site, I knew I'd have to shell out a little from my own pocket. Unfortunately, the more visitors dropping in and the more content being added, the higher that price is going.

The minimal advertising on the site provides a decent source of income that I'm able to put back into the site. However, it's not quite cutting it. Without going into detail, the cost of maintaining this site exceeds $50 per month, which is a lot when you consider I wasn't spending anything on the free Blogger account.

So I'm taking this opportunity to humbly ask that you consider donating as much or as little as you can to help with Icethetics' bills. There's a new button in the sidebar that reads Support Icethetics. If you click on that, you can complete a secure PayPal transaction. Supporters can choose to remain anonymous or be recognized by name on the site.

By the end of the year, I anticipate the launch of a new Concepts section which will include Featured Artists and tons of image content. This will increase bandwidth demand that will cost money.

I'm only able to spend so much of my own money on this site. So if you'd like to see Icethetics continue to grow and improve, I'm going to need your help. If you enjoy all that Icethetics has to offer, show it!

I appreciate your taking the time to consider helping Icethetics out.

Kings Unveil Third Jersey!

The Los Angeles Kings became the 16th NHL club to unveil a third jersey for the 2008-09 season, doing so tonight during a home game against the Avalanche.

As the leaked images showed us, the sweaters are black with a new banner-shaped logo on the front. On top are the letters LA and beneath is a black and white version of the current crown logo. Throughout the uniform are very sharp silver accents.

Have a look at Anze Kopitar in action tonight from the Kings' web site.

A quick glance at these sweaters in action certainly does the job of sending you back to the era of Gretzky, Kurri and the like. But what our leaks didn't show us was the classic script logo appearing on both sides of the helmets.

When thinking about the Kings, I think most people don't think about the history of this club. They've been around a long time and have had a lot of uniforms and logos. It's nice to see them remembering that past with this new uniform.

This is another design that has moved way up on my list after having seen it in action. I wouldn't put it at the top but it's certainly nothing to look down your nose at.

I do have one small thing to point out though. On the Kings' web site, it's pointed out that "the jersey was first seen night at 7:34 p.m. when Kings goalie Erik Ersberg entered the bench-area through the covered tunnel just prior to the game."

I hate to get technical, but actually it was first seen on Monday night when it was leaked during an Icethetics Live Chat. I'm just saying.

Can you believe it? After all of the anticipation of the summer, only two teams remain to officially unveil their third jerseys. Makes you wonder what all the fuss was about.

Tomorrow, my Bolts will debut theirs BOLTS sweaters and on Monday, we'll get our first "official" look at the Bruins. I still find it ironic that the jersey that was first to leak will be the last to be official.

Coyotes Unveil Third Jersey!

The Phoenix Coyotes have officially unveiled their new third jersey for the 2008-09 season. They did so both on television during the first intermission of their game tonight and on their web site.

Icethetics' perfect score in terms of leaks continued as the 'Yotes displayed their new black sweaters with a leaping coyote across the chest. The uniform also features sand colored numerals and text along with brick cuffs.

To the right here you can see Olli Jokinen and Ed Jovanovski donning their new threads.

The uniform as a whole features three entirely new logos, the most obvious being the full body coyote on the front. There's also a new paw print logo on the left shoulder with the team's name in the circle around it. And on the pants is a new script logo.

The right shoulder of the uniform features the Coyotes' primary logo, introduced in 2003 when the uniforms got their first major overhaul.

Now if you want my opinion, here it is. I'm a little disappointed. I think I had the most hope for the Coyotes' third jersey when I first saw the logo when it leaked several months ago. I'm not a fan of the red area ont he sleeve or the striping down the sides.

It's certainly a completely different look from their home and road uniforms but I'm not sure that's such a good thing in this case. I don't mind the red helmets, but they do seem a little out of place with the black jerseys.

Overall, I'd say it's middle-of-the-road. I don't hate it, but then I don't love it either.

Here's another picture featuring Jokinen, captain Shane Doan, Derek Morris, Jovanovski and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.

You'll notice that the Coyotes join the Red Wings in placing the captain letters on the opposite shoulder so as to keep it from clashing with the top of the logo.

By the way, the Coyotes also had a video talking about the new sweater. Shane Doan came on and chatted about it briefly and also took a shot at the host's Amerks jersey which I thought was funny.

I'm a little disappointed in the Coyotes' web guys at the crummy quality of this video and the pictures in their photo gallery. But I guess I can let it slide. The jersey will make its debut on the ice on Friday, November 28 when the 'Yotes face the Avs.

Senators Unveil Third Jersey!

It appears the Ottawa Senators have unveiled their new black third jersey. The splash page now features full photos of three Sens players in their new threads. The jerseys match our previous leaks from this week.

They're black with a unique red and white striping pattern under the arms and down the sides. And they look killer.

Below you can see Chris Phillips, Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley.

Looks like they'll even have new pants to go with the new sweaters. Not sure if they'll have different socks, though. This picture doesn't show that, obviously.

The Sens have already hit the ice in these uniforms against the Rangers this afternoon. I'll have game action pictures when I can.

Update on Saturday · Nov 22 · 2008 | 4:25 PM PST by Chris

I don't know about anybody else, but after seeing this in action, the Senators' third jersey has moved way up on my list. Alternate jerseys are now 13-10 on the season with the Sens' win over the Rangers. Three more third jersey games to go tonight

You know what's funny? In this picture with the line of players on the bench, the elbow stripes almost give the illusion of the barberpole stripes from the old days.

Even with SENS plastered all over the front, I'm a big fan of this jersey.

Update on Saturday · Nov 22 · 2008 | 8:21 PM PST by Chris

I somehow missed something in my previous posts. The Senators have set up a page on their web site dedicated to their new third jersey. You can see a photo gallery and a 360-degree view of the uniform. They have an order form, wallpapers for your computer, and a video which you can see below.

Seems like they're proud of this jersey. And with good reason.

Third Jersey Weekend

What I'm calling Third Jersey Weekend is well underway at this point. It kicked off this morning with the launch of the Sharks' new alternate sweater and will end Monday morning when the Bruins unveil theirs. So here's some things to you need to know to stay on top of the latest news.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have a new splash page on their web site with the first official indications that we'll be seeing a blue jersey on Sunday. With the primary logo on the shoulder, this could lead casual fans to wonder what's on the front.

If you're visiting Icethetics for the first time, I hate to disappoint you, but it's going to say BOLTS. I suggest checking out pictures in the Lightning's gallery at Third Jersey Central.

I'm psyched about the blue sweater, I just wish they could've used the secondary logo on the front. That's all I'm saying.

The folks at LetsGoKings.com are keeping us busy with Los Angeles Kings third jersey news. LGK's Carla Muller sat down with the designer of the Kings new alternate sweater, Todd Howk. It's really interesting to read about the process of creating this rather simple uniform. I highly recommend a read.

Now once you've done that, if you're just itching to see how the players will look on the ice and you really can't wait until tomorrow night when they face the Avs, check this out.

Now obviously, this is just concept art. The Kings haven't actually wore these in a game yet. It's just more of a preview than anything. And a rather good one. You almost can't tell it's fake.

But anyway, great job going on over there at LetsGoKings.com. They serve Kings fans well from what I can tell.

Last thing. I just wanted to share a shot of the St. Louis Blues in their new third sweaters. They made their debut tonight against the Ducks.

Those jerseys really look great. Seeing them in action, the only thing I'd change is the shade of blue. I really like the royal blue used on their home uniforms. I feel like these would've looked so much better without the really dark blue.

Anyway, that's all for tonight. Third Jersey Weekend trudges on. You can count on Icethetics to have news, pictures and all that cool stuff throughout the weekend.

And to everyone who misses the concept art. Trust me, I'm right there with you. Once all this third jersey buzz dies down in December, my next big undertaking is to create a Concepts section of Icethetics and introduce our Featured Artists.

I've been getting some really great artwork lately that I just haven't had the time to share. That will end soon.