Freak Out Friday XLV

It's Friday, so it's time to get freaked. This is a scary batch today because it's all real!

First, the most recent email in my inbox comes from J.D. Let me set the stage. January 31 was Golden Ice Night for the IHL's Kalamazoo Wings, sponsored by McDonald's. But it wasn't enough to just have yellow ice (really hope they used paint, by the way). No, instead every K-Wing was forced to dress like Ronald McDonald.

I totally wish I was kidding. The Wings actually took the ice against the Bloomington PrairieThunder looking like this. I think I need to set up a new section of Icethetics. Worst. Game-worn jerseys. Ever. Coming soon.

Michiganites (is that what you're called?), you can even relive it! Though, why you'd want to...

Anyway, on that same night, the ECHL was humiliating itself as well when for no apparent reason the team from Las Vegas decided to stick its nose into the issues with the Illinois governor — nearly a continent away. I told you about this last month and posted mock-ups of the specialty jerseys for Rod Blagojevich Night.

And there they are on the ice. At least it's white ice. There's no way that any number of pictures could possibly do this justice. So there's video! (A warning though, you might want to turn your speakers down.)

Best part of that is at :34 when we see the off-ice officials in the classic judge garb, robe and wig included.

But wait, now if you think the NHL is immune to that stripy nonsense, au contraire. The following night, Montreal Canadiens stepped out against the Boston Bruins wearing something that went out of style nearly 100 years ago.

Seriously? Worst. Game-worn jerseys. Ever! On the list. Personally, I think it's cool for a one-off sort of thing. But strictly objectively, holy crap.

What troubles me is how all of these monstrosities took place within two nights of each other. What? Were the hockey gods taking some time off? I know I was.

Third Jersey '09 News!

I see you guys have kept busy in my absence. What a shambles. Told you I'd be taking a break, though. Just longer than I expected. I really want to get back to things. So much interesting stuff going on that's just not getting the coverage it deserves. I'd like to take on a second writer. If you're interested, email me. But only if you're serious. Crappy writers need not apply. I also need someone dedicated, unlike myself these days.

Anyway, onto today's news. Adam writes in with 2009 third jersey info. As ever, I can't entirely vouch for its veracity, but suffice to say I have no reason to doubt it. But to protect the innocent, I won't say where this information comes from.

Among the teams adding new third jerseys for 2009-10 are Calgary, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota and Nashville. These are all teams who have previously had third jerseys but we don't yet know if they'll be going back to what the old ones or trying something new. Obviously, Minnesota will need a new design since they made their old red third their home sweater in the Age of Reebok.

Calgary could return to the Flaming Horse but I highly doubt it. Colorado and Nashville could return to burgundy and mustard, respectively. And I really hope Florida does something more than toggling the broken stick in the panther's mouth.

But wait, there's more! Edmonton fans rejoice! Allegedly, your club is getting brand new home and road jerseys. Sadly, that's all the information I have at the moment. We'll probably just see minor changes like, you know, connecting the sleeve stripes. The third jersey isn't going anywhere.

Philadelphia is pulling the old switch-a-roo and making orange their home color and black their third. Flyers fans will love that. And finally, as previously reported, the Blackhawks will swap out their current third jersey with their Winter Classic duds.

Conspicuously absent from this list is of course the Capitals and Rangers. I guess we'll have to wait even longer for that Lady Liberty crest to make its triumphant return to hockey.

All right, I hope this news somewhat makes up for my absence as of late. I plan to get to all of the jersey news I missed in that time over the next week or so. Plus, concepts! Lots have been sent in and lots will be posted.

Also we'll try to finish up this whole IceHL thing and get some new projects going. I've missed you guys and I hope you missed me too.