Blackhawks Unveil 3rd Jersey!

First, huge win for my Bolts tonight over the Rangers — despite the shutout-spoiler with two minutes on the clock.

As expected, the Chicago Blackhawks today followed in the footsteps of the Pittsburgh Penguins and revealed their new third jersey to be that which was designed for last season's Winter Classic. But there was a twist.

But before that, a video on the Blackhawks' web site served as an unveiling of sorts. We watch Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa struggle to wrap the new form-fitting jersey over their bulky gear. Seriously, it's the worst video I've ever seen an NHL team produce.

Patrick Kane tries on the Blackhawks' new third jersey

Look how uncomfortable he looks. Anyway, beyond that, what do you notice? Check out the shoulders.

New colors for the tomahawk logoThe classic tomahawk logo has been been altered to match the red/tan/black color scheme of the new alternate uniform. This was a feature missing from the Winter Classic version. 

I think it brings the whole uniform together quite nicely. I've always been a fan of this particular secondary logo and I'm glad the Hawks have found a way to freshen it up and keep it around for this new look.

The Blackhawks have also announced a 12-game schedule in which the new sweater will be worn. It makes its on-ice debut this Tuesday, December 1 when they face the Blue Jackets.

It sees the majority of its 2009-10 action late in the season, during six games in March. The full schedule can be found on their web site or in the Icethetics calendar found in the sidebar.

One more note tonight, also related to the Central Division.

Icethetics reader Jon writes in to point out something surprising in the Nashville Predators' new alternate uniforms — which made their debut tonight.

Check out the picture below and you'll see a third new logo on this uniform. Specifically, look at the pants. There's a stylized "NP" lettermark there — something we're seeing for the first time.

A new NP logo is featured on the alternate uni's pants

When the jerseys were first unveiled, the players were not wearing these pants so today was our first chance at seeing them. I've yet to see an up-close or high-res version of this logo, but from this perspective, it doesn't look like anything that's currently part of the Preds' design package.

It's not a big deal, but certainly worth mentioning. Thanks to Jon for picking that out. If I learn anything more on the subject, I'll keep you posted.

By the way, a quick note on comments. If you guys want to ask me a question directly — whether it's related to the topic of the post or not — don't bother putting it in the comments. I will read and respond to it only if you email me at icethetics@gmail.com. Thanks!

Hawks Jerseys & Soldier Tributes

Never ones to miss a Black Friday cash-making opportunity, the Chicago Blackhawks have announced plans to officially unveil their new third jersey. And they're not going to make us wait long at all.

The Hawks have posted on their web site that the new alternate sweater will go on sale Friday, November 27 — tomorrow — and that Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa will be featured in a video about it.

Patrick Kane at the '09 Winter ClassicI'm assuming the short notice goes to the fact that the design has been long-rumored to be based on the special Winter Classic sweaters worn on New Year's Day last season (pictured to the right) against the Red Wings. While they don't say so specifically here, I'd be shocked if they do anything different.

Obviously, Icethetics will have coverage of that tomorrow. So check back for details and pictures.

For whatever it's worth, this is my favorite Winter Classic jersey yet — and quite possibly my favorite NHL jersey of all time. I'm not sure why. I just know I want to own one.

Also while we're on the subject of the Blackhawks, I got an email from a reader today on a topic I never made it around to covering a couple weeks ago.

Why were the Hawks wearing these camouflage jerseys during warm-ups on November 11?

 

Well I think the answer is obvious. The Hawks were honoring American soldiers on Veterans' Day. But if you'd like more details on the tribute, click here.

For the record, the Anaheim Ducks did the same thing the week before. On November 3, they donned camouflage jerseys in their pre-game skate. The sweaters were then auctioned for charity.

In case you were wondering, they are the exact same jerseys — only with different logos and numbers. And from the cut of the collar, it appears Reebok was in on the whole thing as well — which explains why both teams wore the same jerseys.

Anyway, I know I'm late on this story. And I apologize to all of you who sent in emails this month which seemed to go ignored. I read them but I just never managed to find the time to get it posted.

Actually, I had prepared an entire post talking about the lack of updates lately. It then got accidentally deleted before I could post it. Then I figured, who really cares anyway. You've heard it all before and I'm sure you guys are just happy when there's new content.

And this happens every hockey season. Work gets busy for me and when I do get home at almost midnight, the last thing I want to do is have to write more. Plus, I have a hockey team to follow too, you know.

One last note regarding KractIce. A couple of you have asked why it disappeared. Unfortunately it was due to a lack of interested just like the IceHL. And I understand that. The hockey season is back in full swing and no one really cares about logos and t-shirts anymore. We just want to see our teams to win.

We'll shoot for another competition this summer. In the meantime, enjoy the season and I'll keep posting new stuff whenever I have the time — except in January. I'm getting married in Las Vegas in January and I have no plans to keep the site updated during that time. I'll be back after though.

Update on Thursday · Nov 26 · 2009 | 6:35 PM PST by Chris

Quick follow up. Just read a good question that came up in the comments. Alex asked when Nashville is expected to debut their new third jersey on the ice.

As a matter of fact, it's this weekend. The Predators will wear the new alternates against the Blues tomorrow and the Panthers on Saturday — or so says the current splash page of their web site.

By the way, I've got one more item to mention.

If you haven't been following along with the Twitter updates in the sidebar, you may have missed the revelation that the Pittsburgh Penguins are evidently scrapping one of the best third jerseys currently in use in the NHL.

In an article posted on the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's web site, writer Rob Rossi mentioned that the Panthers debuted their third jersey in Monday night's game and that the Penguins' alternates would be replaced in the 2010-11 season.

The Florida Panthers unveiled an alternate uniform last night. The color scheme mirrored the Penguins' original colors: baby blue, dark blue and white. Those colors are part of the Penguins' popular current throwback-themed alternate uniforms, which will be replaced next season.

That's as much as it mentions so there's no word yet on what the jerseys will be replaced with. And as far as I know, there's been no official mention of this from the team.

Pittsburgh Penguins' third jerseyPersonally, I thought they should've made the switch to these jerseys full time. But obviously the team disagrees — though I can't imagine why. Fans seemed to go nuts over it.

As you may know, the baby blue sweaters (pictured at left) originally debuted in the inaugural Winter Classic on New Year's Day 2008. They were such a big hit, the team opted to use them another dozen times both last season and this season.

It also means the Age of Reebok's Third Jersey Extravaganza won't end this season after all. We'll see a new alternate uniform in Pittsburgh at the very least come 2010.

Other teams for which I'm hoping to see replacement third jerseys — the Lightning, Senators, Stars, Bruins and Thrashers. But we can all keep dreaming.

Panthers Unveil 3rd Jersey!

Last night just prior to their game, the Florida Panthers unveiled their brand new third jerseys. The sweaters are primarily dark blue with gold accents and introduce an entirely new color to the scheme — light blue.

The Cats then debuted the new sweaters in the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It shouldn't go without saying that these jerseys do feel awfully reminiscent of the Winter Classic sweater the Pens introduced in 2008 — which later became their third.

Keith Ballard, Nathan Horton and Bryan McCabe in their new threads

It also seems to borrow elements from the Minnesota Wild home and St. Louis Blues third jerseys. So unfortunately it's not a totally original look. Having said that, I like them a lot more than the home and road looks. It's a solid design and when you really get down to it, they look like hockey jerseys should.j

Where the design falls down is that new secondary mark on the helmet, pants and shoulders. Yes, the Sunny FLA. Why? I'm intrigued by the irony that Reebok starts introducing abbreviation-based NHL logos and uniforms just after dumping their own abbreviated (Rbk) logo. (I know, I can't blame Reebok for everything.)

Despite that, I wouldn't be surprised to see that panther head logo soon take over as the team's primary mark. They've already chopped off the legs. Seems like a natural progression. What's disappointing is that along with that will probably see the end of red in South Florida. But it's been a staple since 1993 when the team first joined the league.

In fact, their original road jerseys were red. But suddenly in the last couple of years the red jersey was relegated to third status when the dark blue alternate was promoted. Then in the Age of Reebok, the red jersey went away completely. Fans hoping to see it return with this third were left disappointed as it's not even an accent color. In fact, they just added another shade of blue.

Still, it's always nice to see a team try something different. I have to give the Panthers credit for going out on a limb. But traditional sweaters in a non-traditional hockey market just seem to clash. St. Louis and Minnesota got it right. Nashville and Florida need some work.

I'll finish my analysis with something positive. I do like the custom type used for the lettering on the nameplate as well as the numbers. At first glance, it looks like a standard block font, but look closer.

The Panthers have said the jersey will be worn for 12 home games this season — including last night's — but I have yet to come across the schedule. If I do, I'll be sure to add it to the calendar in the sidebar.

So what do you guys think of the new threads?