Icethetics Season Preview, Part 4

The Icethetics Season Preview begins winding down today. This week we're catching up on new logos and jerseys for the 2009-10 season. Today we focus on new minor league uniforms.

Part 4: New Minor League Jerseys

Unfortunately, I'm pressed for time as I write this, so this post will have to be updated with photos a little later on. For now, I'll give you the rundown.

AHL

A handful of American Hockey League teams are either introducing new home and road or third jerseys. Presented alphabetically.

Binghamton Senators (home/road)

The B-Sens will launch new home and road sweaters for 2009-10 that will not feature their primary logo. Instead, the club's alternate logo takes center stage on the new black and white jerseys.

They were unveiled earlier this month along with an alternate sweater to be worn during the preseason only.

Hershey Bears (home/road/third)

The Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears unveiled new home, road and third jerseys for the coming season. The team's primary logo will be the new crest on the home and road sweaters. Previously, the Bears used a diagonal text element in the style of the New York Rangers.

The third is reminiscent of the Dallas Stars' new Reebok Edge sweaters, with the word "Hershey" arched about the sweater number.

Rochester Americans (home/road)

The Rochester Amerks announced just last week that they will be dumping the red sweater that brought them into the Age of Reebok in favor of the classic blue jersey the team is known for.

The new threads also bring back the horizontal striping around the sleeves and waist that is lacking on the majority of the new Edge jerseys.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (third)

For the the second year in a row, the Pens are debuting a new third jersey. Both have been failed attempts at duplicating the phenomenal look of a Winter Classic sweater. It's kind of a shame, actually.

The new one is based on what the Chicago Blackhawks wore to the 2009 Winter Classic — and will subsequently continue to wear as a third jersey beginning this season. But the ridiculous-looking steroid penguin logo makes it beyond laughable.

ECHL

A few ECHL teams will be debuting new jerseys for 2009-10, but this least is not yet comprehensive. Feel free to help complete it by emailing me or leaving a comment below.

Stockton Thunder (third)

To celebrate their fifth anniversary in Stockton, the Thunder have introduced a yellow third jersey for the 2009-10 season. It features black sleeves with white lightning bolts running from the shoulder to the wrist.

A simplified version of the club's primary logo adorns the crest.

I will be adding more leagues and teams as well as photos later on tonight. So much to do. So little time to do it. I wish I could make Icethetics my job. Would be so much easier.

Preseason Update

I'm taking a one-night detour from the Icethetics Season Preview to catch up on some news from around the NHL.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a third jersey in the works, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Initially reported an online chat last Thursday, further confirmation came today via another session with beat writer Aaron Portzline.

The report include anything about elements of the design, just that it will make its debut for 2010-11 — meaning Icethetics is apparently not yet finished following third jersey news after this season.

First, the question posed to Portzline on Thursday, September 17.

[bucknuts07] Any word on the Jackets unveiling a third Jersey anytime soon?

[Portzline] It won't happen this season. But it's already in the works, I'm told, and it'll be out next season. They really like the current look and want to let it develop roots in the marketplace, which makes good sense to me. 

Also makes sense to me. But that didn't stop the Sharks, Lightning, Senators, Bruins or Canucks — all of whom introduced new logos in 2007 only to immediately launch new third jerseys the following season.

But everybody's trying to make a buck, as Portzline pointed out in Wednesday's chat.

[Moe Bartoli's Ghost] I would love to see the Jackets wear their white jerseys at home in order to see all the other teams colors, sort of like the Browns do. Any chance of suggesting this?

[Portzline] The NHL is always looking for ways to sell sweaters. (By the way, the Blue Jackets will have a third sweater next season, it looks like.) I don't know about always wearing the whites at home. I prefer the blues. As for the Browns ... those brown pants should be put away forever. 

I also agree with not wearing whites at home. Best move the NHL has made in the last several years. Why would you want your team to blend into the ice? Anyway, it's not even that great for most fans since the majority of teams wear red, dark blue or black at home.

It'll be nice to see the Flyers finally make that switch to orange this year. Lucky Wild fans will be treated to green sweaters for a handful of games this season. Unfortunately, there's not much else to look forward to until the Winter Classic — unless the Panthers whip out a yellow alternate.

Now onto our next subject. I get scores of emails every year during the preseason from irate Red Wings fans wanting to know why they've ditched the classic arched lettering style on the back of the jerseys.

The emails are already starting to come in again this year so I thought I'd head them off but informing the Icethetics public. First, see the following photo from Tuesday's game between Detroit and Philadelphia.

Chris Osgood in his preseason only sweater

So what's with the nameplate? It's the wrong font and it's not arched! Fear not, Wings fans. It will only last as long as the preseason. Once the regular season hits, everything will go back to normal. They do it every year.

Why? Glad you asked. First, think about what it takes to make an arched nameplate. Every letter has to be set and cut individually. An L in the middle of the name would be shaped differently from one on one of the ends. This requires extra time and energy on the part of the person in charge of that.

Now think about how many players see action during the preseason — certainly more than the 25 or 30 that may play during the regular season. As many as 50 or 60 guys can dress over the two-week span. And since the preseason doesn't really count anyway, why the hassle? 

They use a simple, straight nameplate to get through the September matches and the guys who actually make the team are treated to the fancy arched surnames in October.

I'm sure there was more I meant to write about tonight, but I cannot think of anything. If you've got any related questions, I'll expand this post tomorrow. Meantime, Part 4 of the Icethetics Season Preview will slide to Friday and Part 5 will go up on Saturday. Finally, a reason for you to visit Icethetics on the weekend!

Icethetics Season Preview, Part 3

We're midway through the Icethetics Season Preview and after yesterday's three-section post, I'm going to make Part 3 short and sweet. It's a recap of the new logos that will be seen around the NHL this season.

Part 3: New NHL Logos

At least six NHL clubs will have new logos in their arsenal beginning with this 2009-10 season, presented here in alphabetical order.

Boston Bruins (special)

The Boston Bruins will face the Philadelphia Flyers in the Winter Classic on New Year's Day 2010. The NHL's annual outdoor game typically sees its participants dig into their history for special vintage uniforms. And the Bs had a long history to dig into.

For this year's big game, the Bruins pulled elements from five of the different looks they've had over the last 85 years. This logo comes from the sweaters worn 60 years ago to commemorate the franchise's 25th anniversary.

The logo will be used on the jersey as well as other Winter Classic-related merchandise. No plans have been announced to make the jersey the new third beginning in 2010-11, but it's not out of the question. The Penguins and Blackhawks have both given their Winter Classic threads an upgrade.

Buffalo Sabres (vintage)

While nothing has been made official just yet, everything is beginning to point to the notion that the Buffalo Sabres will retreat from the slug and give that classic 1970s primary mark another go. (I'll have details on this from Larry Quinn soon.)

Retro is in right now in the NHL and it seems like a vast majority of the teams are looking backward to move their uniforms forward. Sabres fans have been begging for a return to the team's original look. Their wish may soon come true.

The logo will continue to appear this season at center ice in the HSBC Arena and on tons of merchandise along with the team's official web site and other electronic and social media.

Calgary Flames (vintage)

After scrapping plans to release a brand new black third jersey complete with a fancy new logo, the Calgary Flames jumped on the throwback bandwagon. In fact, forget the black jersey — black is nowhere to be found on the new vintage threads the team is trotting out for their 30th anniversary season.

The club will wear a red jersey that's nearly identical to what was originally worn when the Flames moved from Atlanta to Calgary in 1980. Front and center will be that classic, white-hot flaming C.

No word yet on whether this vintage jersey and logo will be sticking around beyond the five games its scheduled for this season or if that previously designed black third will ever see the light of day.

Florida Panthers (alternate)

After 15 years in the NHL, the leaping cat logo most associated with the Florida Panthers is disappearing. While nothing has been announced officially, this legless feline has been popping up all over the place — everywhere but the jerseys, that is.

The Panthers are also one of a handful of teams expected to release a third jersey this season. They, along with the Colorado Avalanche, have yet to do so. It's not clear yet what to expect for the alternate sweater, but it wouldn't surprise me if this new logo somehow figures in.

For now, you can find it all over the team's electronic media outlets as well as publications and merchandise. And I haven't seen it yet, but it'll will probably be painted at center ice as well.

Minnesota Wild (third jersey)

So far this summer, two teams have unveiled third jerseys and both have involved new logos. The Minnesota Wild's new green duds feature a script rather than a typical logo. But that M will be making its way onto all sorts of Wild gear this year.

The logo is an encapsulation of the history of classic Minnesota hockey. From the simple M to the shooting star which dots the I that, no doubt, calls back to the Minnesota North Stars.

It's not my favorite thing for the front of a jersey, but it has a lot of meaning and the Wild still have the best primary mark in the entire league if you ask me.

Nashville Predators (third jersey)

The launch of their third sweater brought two new logos into existence for the Nashville Predators. However neither is entirely new. The one you see here is a simplified and recolored version of the Preds' primary mark.

A mix of black, grey and shades of blue join a brand new color in the team's identity — the red in the eye. I certainly prefer the simpler version of what is surely the most detailed primary logo in the NHL.

The other logo, found on the shoulders of the new jersey, is an adaptation of the current secondary mark which depicts the skull of a saber-toothed tiger. It's now encircled within the same checkerboard pattern found on the uniform itself.

I might've been more impressed with a completely new logo, but then we do know Nashville's track record in this category (see the old mustard jersey). Still, they're at least moving in the right direction by simplifying a complicated set of logos.

I'm not anticipating any other new logos around the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche have yet to unveil their third jersey, but it's expected to feature text across the front with the primary logo on the shoulders — nothing new.

And that wraps up Part 3. We're back tomorrow with Part 4. Can you guess the topic?

Icethetics Season Preview, Part 2

The new hockey season is mere weeks away now and the 2009 Icethetics Season Preview continues today with a look at who's come and gone around the minor leagues.

Part 2: New & Dead Teams (Minors)

Teams come and go in the minors. It's a fact of life and it's no different this year. Here's what you need to get your season started.

AHL

We begin with the American Hockey League, which has seen four teams undergo status changes for 2009.

Adirondack Phantoms (relocated)
Philadelphia Phantoms 

With the sale of the franchise and the demolition of their arena in Philadelphia, the Phantoms have been relocated to Glens Falls, New York for the 2009-10 season and renamed the Adirondack Phantoms.

The logo has gone largely unchanged however a version does exist which contains the word "Adirondack" above the phantom figure and the "Phantoms" wordmark below. In general, the team's colors have not changed but the uniforms have been redesigned without the purple.

Abbotsford Heat (relocated)
Quad City Flames 

The Quad City Flames have been relocated to British Columbia after just two seasons in Moline, Illinois. The Calgary Flames-affiliated club has also been renamed the Abbotsford Heat.

The new logo was unveiled over the summer. It's largely a wordmark which incorporates a flying puck with a trailing red streak. It's one of the less-inspired newer logos in the AHL.

The Heat are the fifth incarnation of this franchise, which began life as the Utica Devils in 1987. In 1993, the franchise was bought by the Calgary Flames and relocated to Saint John, New Brunswick and renamed after their new NHL affiliate.

After 10 successful seasons in Saint John, the Flames went dormant for two years before being re-established as the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights in Nebraska. The team played just two seasons before being moved again, this time to the Quad Cities where the Flames moniker was brought back.

Texas Stars (expansion)

The AHL expands this season to Cedar Park, Texas with the addition of the Texas Stars. The franchise was granted a limited membership for the 2009-10 season so the possibility exists the team may not be around next year.

The logo is modeled after that of the team's NHL affiliate, the Dallas Stars. The team will even wear similar jerseys. The major difference between the logos is the typeface of the text and the addition of a second shade of green.

The Texas Stars will play at the Cedar Park Center which has just completed construction and opens with its first event this weekend.

Iowa Chops (suspended)

After just a single season of AHL play, the Iowa Chops will not be returning for 2009-10. The franchise has been involuntarily suspended by the league.

Though no more details have been released by the team or league, reports say mismanaged money led to the suspension. Because the league membership has not be revoked, the team could return to action in the future.

Last season the Chops were affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks but that agreement was terminated in May. Prior to 2008-09, the Chops were the Iowa Stars (affiliate of the Dallas Stars).

ECHL

The ECHL will endure the most changes of any league this season. While two new teams will be added, six have been lost, due primarily to economic hardships.

Toledo Walleye (re-established)

The Toledo Walleye return to ECHL action in a brand new building for 2009-10. Formerly the Toledo Storm, the franchise was granted a voluntary two-year suspension when the team was sold in 2007. The new owners wanted to wait until the new Lucas County Arena had finished construction.

The Storm were established in Toledo, Ohio in 1991. Long said to have the worst-designed logo in all of professional sports, the new Walleye name brought a logo that was no less ridiculous. The highly cartoonish, yellow, toothless, hockey stick-wielding fish was introduced following the purchase of the team.

Kalamazoo Wings (league change)

The second incarnation of the Kalamazoo Wings franchise moves from the IHL to the ECHL for the 2009-10 season. 

Established in 1974, the original Kalamazoo Wings were a member of the International Hockey League. The team was renamed the Michigan K-Wings in 1995 as part of an effort to expand marketing opportunities. In 2000, the team folded when the Dallas Stars terminated their affiliation agreement.

The following season, the UHL's Madison Kodiaks relocated to Kalamazoo and adopted the K-Wings name. The logo has remained largely unchanged in the last 35 years. Though it was originally gold and green to accommodate its NHL affiliate, the Minnesota North Stars, the intention was always to have the colors be red, white and blue.

Augusta Lynx (defunct)

The August Lynx became the first team in ECHL history to shut down midseason. Citing economic issues, the team voluntarily relinquished its league membership and ceased operations on December 2, 2008.

The Lynx were established in 1991 as the Raleigh IceCaps but relocated to Georgia in 1998 when the Hartford Whalers relocated to North Carolina. A local newspapers has reported talks to bring hockey back to Augusta in the near future.

Fresno Falcons (defunct)

Just three weeks after the Lynx, the Fresno Falcons ceased operations in the middle of the 2008-09 season as well. Also dealing with low attendance and other economic troubles, the team announced an immediate shut down on December 22, 2008.

The storied team was established in 1946 as a charter member of the Pacific Coast Hockey League and was also part of the West Coast Hockey League from 1995 to 2003 when the WCHL was absorbed by the ECHL.

Some reports say that if management issues are worked out, the team could return to play by the 2010-11 season.

Dayton Bombers (defunct)

Following the 2008-09 season, the Dayton Bombers relinquished their ECHL membership. Like the Lynx and Falcons, economic issues contributed to the decline of Bombers, who managed to complete their final season.

The Bombers officially ceased operations following the establishment of the IHL's Dayton Gems this summer, despite attempts to get enough season ticket holders to return in 2010-11.

Phoenix RoadRunners (defunct)

After just four seasons, the fourth incarnation of the Phoenix RoadRunners announced in March that the team would cease operations following the 2008-09 campaign.

Established in 2005 by a group which included ex-Phoenix Coyotes star Claude Lemieux, the team's name was taken from a franchises that was born into the Western Hockey League in 1967.

The Roadrunners later joined the World Hockey Association in 1974 and folded in 1977, just two years before the WHA collapsed. The team was re-established the following season in the Pacific Hockey League but lasted only two seasons. A decade later, the third attempt at a Phoenix Roadrunners club joined the International Hockey League. It shut down in 1997.

With Phoenix's NHL club, the Coyotes, in financial turmoil, this could possibly be the final season for professional hockey in Arizona's capital city. 

Mississippi Sea Wolves (suspended)

The Mississippi Sea Wolves will not return to the ECHL for the 2009-10 season. Established in 1996, the franchise was preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary season when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and forced the team to suspend operations for two seasons.

After just two seasons of play since Katrina, the Sea Wolves announced another suspension of operations. Should the team return to action, it will not be in Biloxi as the SPHL's Mississippi Surge are taking over the Mississippi Coast Coliseum this season.

Pee Dee Pride (defunct)

Although they haven't played a game since the 2004-05 season, the Pee Dee Pride officially relinquished their ECHL membership in June, terminating one of the league's charter franchises.

The team was established in 1988 as the Knoxville Cherokees. They later moved to Florence, South Carolina in 1997. The club was renamed the Florence Pride for just one season, 2003-04.

The South Carolina Stingrays are the only team remaining in a state which was once home to three other ECHL teams, including the Pride. The inactive Columbia Inferno hope to rejoin the league in 2010 along with an expansion franchise in Myrtle Beach. The Greenville Grrrowl shut down in 2006.

There are still more leagues to cover! Look for the new and dead teams of the IHL, CHL and SPHL to be added to this post later on tonight.

Update on Tuesday · Sep 22 · 2009 | 8:28 PM PDT by Chris

As promised, the continuation of Part 2. Here are the status changes for 2009-10 in the IHL and CHL.

IHL

The latest incarnation of the International Hockey League will kick off the new season with seven member clubs, adding two new teams and losing one.

Kalamazoo Wings (league change)

As described earlier in the ECHL section of this post, the K-Wings are graduating to a new league this season. The Wings joined the IHL back in 2000 when it was the United Hockey League. The name change took place in 2007. The league actually was founded in 1991 as the Colonial Hockey League and became the UHL in 1997.

Dayton Gems (expansion)

The Dayton Gems join the IHL this season filling a hole left in the market by the Dayton Bombers. The Bombers were an ECHL club until this spring when it announced it would cease operations.

The team takes its name from an earlier incarnation of the Dayton Gems in an earlier incarnation of the IHL. Founded in 1964, the original Gems played their final game in 1980.

The Gems are known for being the first team in North America to make helmets mandatory.

Quad City Mallards (expansion)

Another IHL expansion team is borrowing its name from a previous club — though the Quad City Mallards have a much better logo than the Gems.

The original Mallards were founded in 1995 in this same league, back when it was called the United Hockey League. It suspended operations in 2007 when the Calgary Flames moved the AHL's Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights to the Quad Cities. With that team now in Abbotsford, British Columbia this season, the Mallards are back — but as a new franchise under new ownership.

The Mallards unveiled their new logo on July 1 and their uniforms a couple weeks later.

CHL

Like the ECHL, the Central Hockey League will be undergoing several changes for the 2009-10 season, including the addition of two new expansion teams and the termination of three others.

Allen Americans (expansion)

The Allen Americans will begin play this season in Allen, Texas as an affiliate of the Dallas Stars and Texas Stars at the Allen Event Center. It was announced on April 15.

The logo depicts the outline of a white star which forms the letter A on top of a blue and white striped shield. It's actually one of the more solid logos we've seen for new minor league teams this season.

Ex-NHL defenseman Steve Duchesne is a part-owner of the franchise.

Missouri Mavericks (expansion)

In addition to the Americans, the Missouri Mavericks are also debuting for 2009-10. The announcement of the franchise's formation was made the day after Allen, Texas was awarded its team.

A local newspaper held a name-the-team contest in May and the name, logo and colors were unveiled in late June. The Mavericks will play at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Missouri.

In comparison with its sister franchise, the Americans, the Mavericks seemingly lost out in the logo department with the unveiling of a cartoonish, hockey-playing horse on top of the eastern outline of the state of Missouri. However unique, the colors only make the logo look like it was designed in the 1970s.

Rocky Mountain Rage (suspended)

In June, the Rocky Mountain Rage announced the team would suspend operations for the 2009-10 season, hoping to return to the CHL for 2010-11.

Based in Broomfield, Colorado, the Rage were formed in 2006 and, after just three seasons of play, were forced to temporarily shut down.

Unfortunately, we're getting to the point of talking about teams that have no real history, so I really have nothing to say to fill the space. Oh, wow that did the trick, didn't it?

New Mexico Scorpions (suspended)

The New Mexico Scorpions are another franchise taking a year off, hoping things will turn around, economically speaking.

The Rio Rancho-based organization is looking for new ownership, so if you're looking to buy a hockey team in the American Southwest and NHL won't let you buy the Phoenix Coyotes, check out the Scorpions.

The Scorpions were founded in 1996 and therefore have a bit more of an interesting past than the Rage. The team was first established as a charter member of the Western Professional Hockey League, which merged with the CHL in 2001.

The team announced its suspension of operations in July but is hoping to return to action in the next year or two.

Oklahoma City Blazers (defunct)

Unlike the Rage and Scorpions, the Oklahoma City Blazers do not anticipate a return to CHL action. The team shut down in July after economic issues made it impractical to continue operating. Oklahoma City is now pursuing an AHL franchise.

The news is disappointing as the Blazers were one of minor league hockey's most successful teams, winning nine division championships in 17 seasons. The club was established in 1992 as a founding member of the newest incarnation of the Central Hockey League.

The original Oklahoma City Blazers formed in 1965 in an earlier version of the CHL, which was originally owned and operated by the NHL and named the Central Professional Hockey League. They folded in 1977.

You'll find the SPHL section below in the morning.

Update on Wednesday · Sep 23 · 2009 | 8:09 AM PDT by Chris

SPHL

We finish up the very long Part 2 of the Icethetics Season Preview this morning with a look at the changes this season in the Southern Professional Hockey League. Icethetics readers may be familiar with this league because...

Pensacola Ice Flyers (expansion)

...the expansion franchise Pensacola Ice Flyers irritated us by choosing the least-voted logo in an online poll held by a local newspaper. Not only were talented Icethetics logo designers spurned, but the general assault on our eyes left us with a bitter taste toward the newest aviation-themed minor league club in northern Florida.

The Ice Flyers begin play this season in the SPHL, filling the void left by the Pensacola Ice Pilots, who played their final ECHL season in 2007-08. That club was founded in 1989 as the Nashville Knights. They moved to Pensacola in 1996.

While there's no excuse for the logo, the team name is derived from the area's aviation history, home to the world famous Blue Angels, as well as owner Tim Kerr's long career with the Philadelphia Flyers. The "Ice" was added since the team was explicitly told it could not use the "Flyers" moniker by itself.

Mississippi Surge (expansion)

Another SPHL filling a void left in a former ECHL market. As mentioned earlier in this post, the Mississippi Sea Wolves announced they were shutting down this summer. The Mississippi Surge will now take their place at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.

The team's name and logo were unveiled on June 17 after a web-based name-the-team contest. The simplistic logo has been widely panned, but when placed next to the Ice Flyers' logo, it's no contest.

Louisiana IceGators (expansion)

Yet another past ECHL market is getting hockey back through the SPHL. In fact, the Louisiana IceGators are returning from the dead, in a way. The new franchise takes its name from a team that played for a decade in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The original IceGators were established in 1995 as a member of the ECHL. Despite setting regular season attendance records in the late '90s, which still stand today, financial issues forced the team to shut down in 2005.

Interestingly, the new IceGators club will be coached by Ron Handy, who played in the original IceGators' very first game in the 1995-96 season. The franchise will also be using the same logo.

Twin City Cyclones (suspended)

The Twin City Cyclones announced in March that the economic crisis was forcing the team out of business. The team shut down but reports have surfaced that relocation is a possibility for the 2010-11 season.

Established in 2005 as the Pee Dee Cyclones, filling the void left by yet another ECHL franchise when the Pee Dee Pride suspended operations, the team relocated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 2007 after failing to renew a lease agreement at the Florence Civic Center in South Carolina.

The Twin City Cyclones played for just two seasons before their demise.

Richmond Renegades (defunct)

The Richmond Renegades also announced in March that they would not play another season due to the downturn in the economy. The team was founded in 2006 and played just three seasons in the SPHL.

The Renegades were a reincarnation of a team by the same name that, you guessed it, played in the ECHL. That franchise played from 1990 to 2003 and was owned by the man who started the new franchise in 2006.

In between, Richmond, Virginia was not without a hockey team. The Richmond RiverDogs played in the UHL from 2003 to 2006. Sadly, the city's streak of nearly two decades of hockey ends this year.

And at last, that wraps up Part 2 of the Icethetics Season Preview. Part 3 will be posted later on.

Icethetics Season Preview, Part 1

The NHL season kicks off in less than two weeks! It's a very exciting time. But before the season begins, Icethetics is here to catch you up on all the new logos and jerseys that have been unveiled over the summer.

Part 1: New Event & Anniversary Logos

We're starting small this week with new anniversary and event logos from around pro hockey.

Winter Classic 2010 (NHL)

Arguably, the biggest event of the NHL season has become the Winter Classic. The outdoor game played annually on New Year's Day has become a staple of the league drawing huge crowds to freezing open-air venues.

This year, the Boston Bruins will host the Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park. The logo offers the look and feel of famous ball park and the winter — complete with the Green Monster.

The timeless design fits in line with those of the previous Winter Classic events, held in Buffalo and Chicago. Bridgestone, this year's primary event sponsor, has had its logo worked into the design.

NHL Premiere Europe 2009

Just like last year, the NHL will send four clubs to play four games in Europe to kick off the season. The Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers will face off at Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland on October 2 and 3.

During that same weekend, the Detroit Red Wings will face the St. Louis Blues at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. This is the second consecutive season the NHL Premiere series will take place in Stockholm. The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins played there to open last year's campaign.

Both the Winter Classic and Premiere series are entering their third year as major events on the NHL calendar.

Calgary Flames 30th Anniversary (NHL)

A handful of NHL teams are celebrating major anniversaries during the 2009-10 season. The Calgary Flames released this logo in honor of 30 years in Alberta, although the franchise originally existed in Atlanta for eight seasons.

The design is unlike most we've come to expect for NHL team anniversary marks. It will be painted at center ice in the Saddledome in Calgary and worn as a patch on the Flames' jerseys throughout the season.

The Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres are each entering their 40th year but have not yet released any plans or logos to celebrate the event. In addition, the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets are now 10 years old but like the Canucks and Sabres, no details or logos have been announced.

Other minor league teams have round-number anniversaries coming up this season but none have unveiled logos. The AHL's Norfolk Admirals are celebrating 10 years. In the ECHL, the Elmira Jackals are entering their 10th anniversary season.

Stockton Thunder 5th Anniversary (ECHL)

Additionally, the ECHL's Stockton Thunder are celebrating five years in California, though the franchise was actually founded almost 20 years ago, in 1990. The Thunder began life as the original Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL.

After two seasons, the club moved to Alabama where they became the Birmingham Bulls. In 2001, the team again relocated, becoming the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies. A Kelly Cup championship wasn't enough to keep them there as California investors bought the team in 2005.

The 5th Anniversary logo simply features the Thunder's primary mark within a circle surrounded by the words "Fifth Anniversary 2005-2010."

The biggest annual events in most leagues aside from the playoffs, tend to be the all-star games, where the best players gather to show off their talent. The NHL no longer holds all-star games during the same year as the Winter Olympics, but the minors leagues still do.

AHL All-Star Classic 2010 (Portland, ME)

This season, the AHL All-Star Classic will be hosted by the Portland Pirates and sponsored by Time Warner Cable on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

The logo features the Pirates' primary logo set on top of a large yellow star with a banner that reads "All-Star Classic." To be honest, it's one of the less creative all-star logos in the last decade — in any league.

Portland previously hosted the All-Star Classic in 2003.

ECHL All-Star Game 2010 (Ontario, CA)

The Ontario Reign will play host to the 2010 ECHL All-Star Weekend. The big game will be sponsored by Reebok and played on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena.

The logo makes use of the shield element in the Reign's primary mark. Elements include mountains, stars and a stylized drawing of the arena where the event will take place. The text simply reads "All-Star" so as to be usable for the entire event and not just the game itself.

This is the second year the Ontario Reign have been a member of the ECHL. The club existed previous as the Texas Wildcatters.

That wraps up Part 1 of the 2009 Icethetics Season Preview. If I've missed any important anniversary or event logos, drop me a line and I'll be sure to add them. Part 2 goes live tomorrow.