Jackets Set Third Jersey Launch

The Columbus Blue Jackets have officially announced plans for the launch of their brand new third jersey for 2010-11.

Several Icethetics readers — thanks to all of you — sent along a link to an article on the Blue Jackets' website, announcing that the sweater will be unveiled on Wed., Nov. 24, the day before Thanksgiving, and it's kind of weird, actually.

But before I get to that, here's a look at the image being used on the team's website to promote the unveiling (right).

Are we safe in assuming the sweater will be blue and grey? And that it will have a cannon, as previously alluded? The graphic does say "heavy artillery" after all.

Now for the unveiling itself, the Blue Jackets are on Long Island that night. The event will take place at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Dublin, Ohio during the first intermission of the game. Video screens will be in place so folks can watch the game there too. Then the jersey will be revealed after the first period to those in attendance while also being broadcast live on FOX Sports Ohio during the telecast.

It is odd, yes, until you realize the event is sponsored by Lexus. With money changing hands, no spectacle is too contrived or outlandish. For those outside of Ohio, I'll see if I can watch the telecast on GameCenter Live that night and grab some some still frames for the blog. Though I'm certain it won't take long for photos to turn up online.

For those of you in Columbus, the jerseys go on sale the same night at FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line at the mall. And you won't be able to buy one anywhere else from then on until after Cyber Monday. Do these guys have a marketing plan or what? Best way to create demand? Strangle supply.

The press release, as it were (and not in any way an advertisement), also details the 15 games in which the new uniforms will be worn. As previously reported, the debut will take place two nights after the unveiling.

Blue Jackets' former third jerseyThe complete schedule includes three nights on the road:

• Fri., Nov. 26 - vs Detroit
• Sun., Nov. 28 - @ Detroit
• Fri., Dec. 3 - @ Buffalo
• Sat., Dec. 4 - vs Pittsburgh
• Sat., Dec. 11 - vs NY Rangers
• Sat., Dec. 18 - vs Dallas
• Mon., Dec. 27 - vs Minnesota
• Fri., Dec. 31 - vs Ottawa
• Fri., Jan. 14 - vs Detroit
• Sat., Feb. 5 - vs Edmonton
• Fri., Feb. 18 -  @ Chicago
• Thu., Mar. 17 - vs Detroit
• Sun., Mar. 20 - vs New Jersey
• Fri., Apr. 1 - vs Chicago
• Sat., Apr. 9 - vs Buffalo

And you'll notice I've used Columbus' previous third jersey (2003-2007) in the photo above as I have no photos of the new one, of course. It is the ONLY sweater new this season that has not been leaked in any manner. Even I haven't seen it yet. I'm impressed.

Let me just say this: If anything does leak between now and Nov. 24, I will be highly disappointed. Let there be at least one unveiling that surprises all of us. Please.

Stars Seeing Green in 2011?

The Dallas Stars are mulling the possibility of adding a green third jersey for the 2011-12 season, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.

It sounds too good to be true, but in a brief article posted online Thursday morning, Heika gave us the following tidbits to drool over.

The Stars are currently pondering a third jersey that could debut as early next season, and the early word is that it will be green and it will have an old school NHL look. There's no word yet on whether the green is "North Stars" green or the more traditional Dallas forest green.

The final decisions have not been made, but if the team wants to get NHL clearance for use in the 2011-12 season, it will have to present a finished sweater to the league before the end of December. One highly-place insider did mention that cows and fallopian tubes have already been ruled out.

I've been eager to see Dallas bring back the green sweater ever since they ditched it in 2007. Normally, I would say just throw the primary logo on it — and run away from it (as my boss would say). However, the Stars are in such dire straits regarding uniforms that I'd recommend taking another stab at a brand new logo.

Indeed, the last time they tried this it was 2003 and we ended up with the all too unforgettable "Mooterus." (Hockey fans are nothing if not creative when nicknaming things they don't like.) Still, the primary logo is fine, but if we're going to do an alternate jersey, let's do one.

Which brings me to the topic of conversation in the comments: What do you think the Stars should do with their next third sweater?

---

By the way, I know the cobwebs are starting to show here on the site and I appreciate you guys not harassing me about it. Moving is a pain, but getting to live/work in Seattle will be worth the trouble in the end. I'm doing my best to stay on top of important/NHL news and notes here on the blog, but some of the other stuff might get put on the back burner for a little while. Should all be back to normal by Christmas time.

Around the AHL, Again

Last week I said the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins would have their own post later in the week. Well that didn't happen.

The team unveiled three new specialty jerseys over a week ago, each of which pays tribute to a group of public servants who put their lives on the line every day. Photos were posted on Penguins' Twitter account.

I've also collected them here for your convenience.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins unveil firefighter, police and military jerseys

The firefighter-themed sweater (left) will be worn on Fri., Dec. 3 when the Pens host the Binghamton Senators, who will be wearing their police-themed uniforms that night.

The Penguins also have a police jersey (center) which will be worn once in Binghamton, presumably when the B-Sens will wear a firefighter sweater of their own. There will be one other home date for the Pens' police jersey, but no details have been announced yet.

Finally, the military jersey (right) will be worn on Sat., Feb. 26 when the Baby Pens host the Norfolk Admirals. I'll try to keep an eye on these dates so as to share game action photos at some point.

Thanks to Shawn S. for the tip on these.

---

Sharks debut third jerseyThe Worcester Sharks have debuted their new 5th anniversary alternate jersey.

The new teal sweater is based on their NHL affiliate, the San Jose Sharks, with the anniversary logo on the chest. The uniform hit the ice for the first time on Oct. 23 when the Sharks hosted the Providence Bruins.

Something interesting I've noticed about Worcester's uniforms: While many AHL teams use their NHL affiliate's primary mark as a shoulder patch, the Sharks use shield version which isn't featured on any of San Jose sweaters — only the pants.

Not sure if these jerseys will be used beyond this season. Though if they are, the crest will need replacing. Maybe they can use that shield logo?

---

Texas Stars' pink jerseyThe Texas Stars held their Pink in the Rink Night on Saturday.

They sported a special sweater to mark the event and unfortunately, this particular pink jersey has to be among the worst we've ever seen.

Maybe it's the shade of pink. Or the ribbon standing in for an A. Hard to be sure. And for the record, the Stars (6-3-0) lost 3-1 to the Houston Aeros (3-5-1) while wearing it. Coincidence?

If you're still interested in looking at this jersey, the Stars promoted the event with this rendering on their website for a time. My thanks to Brian G. for the tip.

---

Milwaukee Admirals' pink jerseyIn stark contrast, the Milwaukee Admirals have put forth one of the best pink jerseys in recent memory.

Their Pink in the Rink Night was held Oct. 23 and they were actually successful, playing to a 3-1 win over the Abbotsford Heat. As is typical, the team is auctioning off the pink sweaters with proceeds benefiting a breast cancer research/awareness organization.

What's weird is that they have one autographed by Felicity Huffman that you can bid on. How random. (Ok, not really if you can read, but whatever.)

But back to what I was saying before. Brilliant job with this design. Sure it's pink, but it doesn't make a spectacle of itself or go out of its way to look feminine. It's still an ice hockey sweater, it just happens to be two-tone pink. Get over it.

Although maybe it's the pirate skull coloring my judgment. Also, it uses the same numbering style as the Tampa Bay Lightning did in the early days. Hm.

Thank you Kent S. for the tip.

That's really all I can muster for now. There should be another post coming soon dealing with more CHL third jerseys. Keep an eye out.