New Sweaters Abound!

Big night for classic hockey jersey enthusiasts! The Nashville Predators unveiled their new third jersey as the Boston Bruins gave fans a first look at what they'll wear on New Year's for the Winter Classic — both with tradition in mind.

Let's start with my favorite of the two — the Bs' 60-year-old throwback.

A photo leaked last week but didn't really do this jersey justice. For one thing, I don't think it was clear enough that it's brown and gold. That's awesome! Nobody else wears brown. And it's used rather nicely here.

Check out David Krejci sporting the new threads.

David Krejci models the Bruins' 2010 Winter Classic sweater

I don't know. It may well be the best of the six Winter Classic jerseys — and that's some stiff competition. It barely beats out that Blackhawks jersey if you ask me. Just barely.

What we really need is a side-by-side comparison of the sweater it was based on, which was worn for a single season (1948-49) — to celebrate a quarter century of existence.

The Bruins are now just 15 years shy of their 100th anniversary. That's quite a bit of history. And there's no doubt in my mind they picked the best looking uniform for this event. By the way, I haven't seen any head-to-toe pictures yet. Anyone know if they're going with those classic socks too?

Leaked pictures take the wind out of jersey unveilings a little bit. I disappoint myself being part of that machine. Still, the Nashville Predators officially debuted their new alternate sweater for 2009-10 before their preseason tilt against Atlanta.

David Legwand, Martin Erat and Joel Ward gave fans their second look at the sweater — Taylor Swift having given the first one at a recent concert.

Legwand, Erat and Ward model their new threads (John Russell/Getty Images)

The big question you're surely asking: What of these wretched checkerboard patterns we heard about? Were they mere rumors? Sadly, I'm afraid not. Check out the close-up.

The checkerboard stripes

I mean it may not ruin the jersey, but it sure doesn't help things. Why are they there? They don't seem to serve any visual purpose as they're only visible up close when well-lit. But I've learned not to question what goes on in the Age of Reebok.

The jersey sticks with a classic numbering and lettering style in plain white and the primary logo on the front has undergone a bit of desaturation — now featuring only shades of blue. The shoulder patch features the now standard skull logo on top of its very own checkerboard pattern.

Icethetics reader Matt has provided these close-ups for us.

I think that covers it. The Icethetics Season Preview kicks off in just three days!

Update on Thursday · Sep 17 · 2009 | 11:16 PM PDT by Chris

Almost forgot about these. Both teams have short videos worth taking a look at.

Cam Neely talks about the elements that went into the design of the Bruins' Winter Classic sweater...

...and the Predators unveil their alternate with a unique video.

Best part of that was Diller trying to defend the mustard.

Update on Friday · Sep 18 · 2009 | 9:43 AM PDT by Chris

...and this is how the Bruins Winter Classic sweater was leaked.

Thanks Colin!

Baby Pens Unveil 3rd Jersey!

The AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have unveiled their third jersey for the 2009-10 season.

A picture of the new sweater was posted on the team's official web site recently. It's primarily black with heavy red and white horizontal stripes passing through the midsection.

In other words, it's the Chicago Blackhawks' Winter Classic/third jersey template sans the collar laces. Only the Pens managed to ruin it! (Didn't think that was possible.)

WBS Penguins third jerseyRegular readers know about my disdain for the baseless love the hockey world seems to possess for the Hawks' primary logo and jerseys. Why is it considered by so many to be the best? (None of your reasons will satisfy me so don't bother.)

Still, I was floored by last season's Winter Classic offering. That was a Blackhawks jersey I could get behind. I was even more impressed the decision to promote it to alternate for 2009-10. The more it's used, the better.

But nothing should be on the front of that jersey except for that classic Chicago mark — least of all this ridiculous penguin. Oh well. What can we do?

The team says the new threads will be worn for at least 10 home games this season. Interesting because the AHL usually wears darks on the road, right?

Thanks to Alex for sending in the link on this one. 

Sweater Switch '09: Part 6

Turns out the Sweater Switch series isn't quite over just yet. I realized there were some pictures I hadn't yet posted. Since it's been so long, for those of you who don't know, the Sweater Switch series is here to give you a first look at players wearing their new uniforms for 2009-10.

First, obviously, Alex Tanguay. He officially signed with my Tampa Bay Lightning back on September 1 and posed for photos with coach Rick Tocchet and GM Brian Lawton.

Rick Tocchet, Alex Tanguay and Brian Lawton

Tanguay opted for the No. 13 sweater this season, same as he wore last year in Montreal. But as he pointed out in the press conference, Tanguay's preferred number is 18. It's what he wore with the Flames from 2006 to 2008. Adam Hall has that one locked up in Tampa.

However, Tanguay may be best known for his No. 40 jersey, which he donned throughout his tenure with the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche. Another Adam (Deadmarsh) had No. 18 back then.

Mike KomisarekMike Komisarek, one of a handful of new Toronto Maple Leafs has selected No. 8, as you can see in the photo to the right.

No surprises there as it's the same number he wore for six seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. Can't say what its significance is.

The last guy for Part 6 is Mike Knuble, who joined the Washington Capitals this offseason after four years in Philadelphia. As you can see in the picture below, he will keep the No. 22 sweater he wore with the Flyers.

Knuble began his career with No. 22 in Detroit for two seasons followed by two more with the Rangers. He then strayed for five years between 1999 and 2004, wearing the No. 26 jersey in Boston. At the time he joined the Bruins, Mikko Eloranta had No. 22.

Mike Knuble

If you guys can track down any new pictures before the season starts, I may be able to get in one more Sweater Switch post before the highly anticipated Icethetics Season Preview! (Kidding, no one's anticipating it.)

One more note. I have new concept art on the way. Look for it to be posted Tuesday or Wednesday.

Amerks Unveil New Jerseys!

As expected, the AHL's Rochester Americans unveiled their new jerseys for the 2009-10 season at a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Basically, the Amerks are switching back to the same design they wore prior to the Age of Reebok. However, these are still Edge jerseys. Let's not get crazy now.

This photo was provided via the team's web site.

Rochester Americans unveil new jerseys

The Amerks were stuck with red jerseys when the change to Reebok was originally initiated.

Amerks' old red sweaterFor reference, to the right is a shot of Jason Garrison from last season. Clearly the threads above are a major improvement. Rochester has worn blue for as long as I can remember so the change was certainly odd.

Not only is the blue back, but the piping is gone from both sweaters and the horizontal stripes have returned. Guess Reebok decided to incorporate those lousy elements for no other reason than to promote themselves.

According to the web site, the blue road jerseys were last worn during the 2005-06 campaign. It's certainly nice to see that they're back.

One unrelated note now. The Icethetics Season Preview is just over a week away. It's a week-long event which you may remember from last season. Things kick off on Monday, September 21.

It's got everything you need to know to start the season — new logos, new jerseys — everything!

The next phase of the IceHL Project will be announced that day as well.

Preds 3rd Leaked at Concert

The Nashville Predators used a country music concert to leak their new third jersey last night at the Sommet Center.

According to Preds fan blog Section 303, singer Taylor Swift made a wardrobe change for her encore — donning the yet unseen alternate sweater. Preds forward Steve Sullivan even hinted at the surprise via Twitter last night.

Photo from Section303.com

Section 303 nabbed a photo from a giant video screen so obviously it lacks in quality in terms of detail. For that, we'll probably still have to wait until next Thursday.

I don't think anybody but a couple of 11-year-olds in the front row actually got a good look at it. Still, we can make out some of the basic features. It actually looks a lot like the mockup that was based off of one fan's alleged early look at the jersey.

It looks to be dark blue, with fewer colors on the crest, white stripes around the waist and sleeves, and laces at the collar. It's too difficult to make out whether that checkerboard pattern is present. (Section 303 says it's not but didn't provide any photographic evidence.)

What the earlier "leak" failed to incorporate was the the new circular logo that appears to be on the shoulders. It looks like the primary logo enclosed in a heavy circle — similar to the logo on the Wild's home jersey.

Predators owner David Freeman certainly wasn't lying about the Original Six feel of the jersey — aside from the glaringly modern logo on the front of the sweater, of course.

In fact, Jeremy at Section 303 points out, it's practically a carbon copy of the Maple Leafs' classic uniforms. That will probably hurt it's originality score.

Section 303 has more pictures. Thanks to all of the Icethetics readers who wrote in overnight with this news. My inbox was overflowing with new messages when I woke up this morning.

Remember, the official unveiling takes place at the Sommet Center this Thursday prior to the Preds' preseason game against the Thrashers. We'll have much better photos to look at then.