Entries from July 10, 2011 - July 16, 2011

Saturday
Jul162011

Enter the Winnipeg Jets Unveiling Pool

Enter the Winnipeg Jets Unveiling PoolWith each passing day, is the lack of a Winnipeg Jets logo and uniform killing you? Icethetics has the solution!

Correctly guess the unveiling dates (and whether or not there will be leak), enter the Winnipeg Jets Unveiling Pool and turn your misery into a chance to win a small prize!

Play the Winnipeg Jets Unveiling Pool!

All the details about how to play (and how to win) can be found on the Jets Pool page. Be sure to note that once any official dates are announced or the official unveilings or unauthorized leaks occur, the game will immediately close and no more entries will be accepted.

The game page also has details on the prize. Look, I know it's not much but at least there is a prize, right? Hope you guys have some fun with this!

Friday
Jul152011

Loose Threads: Leafs, Jets and the CHL

It's been a busy week on the blog. We've seen a new logo, two jersey unveilings, and oodles of new sweater numbers for recently relocated NHLers! And there's still more to talk about. I've collected a few items for you in a new edition of Loose Threads.

Berger Talks New Leafs Third Jersey

Maple Leafs concept by Jeff Veilette / LeafsHQThe Toronto Maple Leafs will get a new third jersey next season and that's become a hot topic again.

It's been reported in each edition of NHL JerseyWatch 2011 that the Leafs will replace their current white alternate sweater with a new one. But like the old one, it will borrow from the club's past.

Howard Berger, who covered the Leafs for FAN 590 in Toronto until last month, wrote about it Thursday on his new blog, Berger Bytes. (Hm, clever.) He said it "will look very much like the jersey the club wore at Maple Leaf Gardens on May 2, 1967 — the night it last hoisted the Stanley Cup."

In other words, like this concept (right) created by Jeff Veilette of LeafsHQ in April 2010. You'll notice the distinct watermark. However, despite this, I've been getting tweets and emails telling me Berger leaked the new Leafs sweater. He hasn't.

Don't get me wrong, I fully trust that this design or something similar will basically be what the new third jersey looks like, but don't be confused in thinking that this is an actual photograph of it. It isn't.

For a little background, Berger was a helpful in providing early details of the first Reebok Edge third jersey designs back in 2008. While some of his descriptions were slightly inaccurate — which can be attributed to the low quality images he was describing — he was mostly on the money.

Personally, I was hoping the Leafs would go with the 1970s/1980s look for the new third and, admittedly, my reporting was slanted because of that. But most of the trustworthy rumors I've read have said this 1967 design will be the one. Not that that's a bad thing. We get to bring an old logo back from the dead.

Jets Prepare to Unveil New Logo

It's a sentiment I share with many hockey bloggers, but it feels so strange talking about the Winnipeg Jets in the present tense again. Strange indeed, but also true.

On Thursday, Canada's National Post reported that the Jets were close to completing their new brand and nearing the point of releasing it to the eager public. You can read the article for yourself, but if you just want the bullet points, here you go:

  • Final tweaks are being made to the logo and jersey designs.
  • The new Jets logo will look "dramatically different" from the old one.
  • Anyone who prints anything NHL-related is breathing down True North's neck to finally release a logo. (This includes Upper Deck, who can't print trading cards yet.)
  • The new Jets jerseys will be ready by the time Canucks' rookie camp starts on Sept. 11. (Probably with an unveiling a week or so before that.)

So, here's my read of the situation. We'll be lucky to see the logo by the end of July. It's possible, but knowing the way the design process tends to go, it'll be a couple more weeks yet. They don't want to rush and make a mistake with so many eyes watching. I expect we'll see the new Jets logo in early August.

As far as the jerseys, I'm anticipating late August to early September for the unveiling. This is a little trickier than the logo. Most fans are impatient and don't understand what goes on behind the scenes in a situation like this. With so many fans desperate to get their hands on a jersey, a leak would be disastrous at this point. Why? It boils down to knockoffs.

They need jerseys to sell to fans the minute the design goes public. Otherwise, they risk counterfeiters being able to throw together their cheap crap faster than Reebok can manufacture the real thing. The bottom line is they don't want someone else stealing their money. Would you?

If you don't see this as a problem, you may lack critical thinking and reasoning abilities. (Sarcasm, folks.) Just accept it and try to have a little patience. The logos and jerseys will all be out soon enough. It's like Christmas Eve right now. Why not enjoy the anticipation of it all a little bit longer?

Blazing a path to the CHL

The Central Hockey League has welcomed the Bloomington Blaze as its newest franchise for the 2011-12 season. This team is not be confused with the now-defunct Bloomington PrairieThunder, who played in the CHL last season after the International Hockey League merged with it a year ago.

Basically, the PrairieThunder folded after last season and the Blaze are a new franchise with new ownership — though they just hired the same coach. The team has not yet unveiled a logo and doesn't even have a website I can direct you to. I'll try to keep an eye on it, but it is the CHL.

Speaking of the CHL, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees — the only hockey team I know with five words in its name — have unveiled a new logo. And by new, I really just mean simplified. I'll leave you with a before-and-after image as I wrap up today's post.

Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees unveil new logo

Wednesday
Jul132011

Behold the Gold: Preds Unveil Jersey

Predators unveil new home jersey / PredatorsThe Nashville Predators became the first team in 21 years to use a solid yellow primary sweater as they unveiled their new home uniform today.

(For the record, it was the Vancouver Canucks in 1989 to do it last. But then they've worn pretty much every color at this point.)

Here's a slick promotional photo.

The Predators revealed the new look Wednesday evening, literally, on the side of a skyscraper, at their Skate of the Union event. They also launched the Behold the Gold marketing campaign which is obviously meant to draw attention to the new brightly-colored jersey.

Here on the blog, we got our first look at it when it was leaked back in June. It's basically the same as that original image save for a minor detail or two. And it looks just as incredible as it did then.

Reaction was largely positive as we've been presented with a clean, solid design and bright colors you don't often see in the NHL. These are all good things and should be welcomed with open arms.

I give it three thumbs up (I'm going to need to borrow somebody's thumb) for standing out in a sea of sameness in this league. I'm thrilled to see them drop the blue jersey — which is becoming overused. I'd say it's one less we'll see in the NHL next season but then I'm betting on a blue sweater from the Winnipeg Jets, whenever that comes.

Enough chatter from me. I'll leave you with a collage of photos from Smashville 24/7. Also don't forget to check out photos tweeted by Preds winger Blake Geoffrion and of course, the Predators themselves.

Predators unveil their new home uniform for 2011-12 / Smashville 24/7

And just to be thorough, here's another look at the road jersey which was unveiled on Draft Day, June 24. These photos were posted to the Predators' official Facebook page.

New road jersey debuted on Draft Day / Predators

I like the details, including the keyboard inside the collar and the guitar strings across the numbers. This is a very musically-themed uniform set and it doesn't look minor league. A tough task, but they've pulled it off. I almost want one. (But my Bolts have two new sweaters coming out soon.)

Tuesday
Jul122011

QMJHL Adds Armada

The QMJHL team that didn't really have a name has been rebranded — and now it doesn't really have colors. The Montreal Junior Hockey Club moved about 20 miles northwest and are now the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

The new name, logo and uniforms were officially unveiled today at a press conference at team's arena in Boisbriand. The bland palette is black and white with what appears to be an inkling of silver as a trim color — a lot like the Los Angeles Kings' depressing new look.

Despite its unfortunate lack of color, I like the design of the primary logo. It's very clean and bold. And it looks like every element of the mark was carefully positioned. You'd think that'd be a given in logo design these days — but then you saw the WHL's Victoria Royals logo, right?

The sweaters are simple, but they almost feel like an afterthought. Here's a look from the QMJHL's website:

Blainville-Boisbriand Armada jersey design unveiled / QMJHL

One thing I will say about this branding is it's definitely not targeting children with bright colors and cartoon creatures. This is an all-out effort to create a professional look for a junior hockey club. I give it a tenuous thumbs-up overall. A solid effort in design but sorely lacking in personality.

Sunday
Jul102011

Sweater Switch 2011

Lots of players have gotten new teams in the last couple of weeks either by trade or, mostly, free agent signings. Like in the past, I'd like to start collecting photos of these guys wearing or clutching their new team's sweater. If you know of any players I'm missing, shoot an email!

Brad Richards (19) signs with Rangers / Blueshirts United

One of the biggest signings of the summer was also the saddest for me. I was one of the deluded Lightning fans hoping that Brad Richards would choose to come back to the team where he won his Stanley Cup. And the team that drafted him. Especially now that all of the pieces we got for him are gone (Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpern and Mike Smith). Guess the home town discount was a little to steep for him.

Anyway, Richards signed with the New York Rangers on July 2 and four days later he was in the Big Apple being given his new No. 19 sweater. Richards is returning the number he wore during his seven seasons in Tampa Bay. He played the last three and change in Dallas wearing No. 91.

For Richards to have 19 in New York, it meant former Lightning teammate Ruslan Fedotenko had to give it up. So Rusty then took No. 26 which he previously wore in Pittsburgh. The domino effect continued with Erik Christensen who was wearing 26 last season. He now has 40. This all comes by way of the Rangers' official Twitter account, which also indicated new addition Mike Rupp will wear No. 71.

Nine new players were welcomed to south Florida / Panthers

On July 8, the Florida Panthers held a press conference to introduce nine of their newest players to the media (and there are in fact more than nine total). Matt Bradley wore No. 10 in Washington but will switch to No. 22 in south Florida (David Booth has 10). Scottie Upshall had No. 8 in Phoenix and will now wear No. 19 (Tim Kennedy has 8).

Michael Repik, now wearing No. 26, gave up his No. 32 sweater for newcomer Kris Versteeg who previously wore it in Chicago and Toronto. (Most recently in Philadelphia he wore No. 10 even though the equipment guys had 32 prepared for him.) In addition, Nolan Yonkman, who came from Phoenix where he was No. 52, will be No. 34 with the Panthers. Early in his career, he wore No. 40 in Washington. (I think he just picks them randomly.)

New goalie Jose Theodore will continue to wear his famous No. 60 while Brian Campbell will stick with 51. Ed Jovanovski returns to the Cats lineup in the same No. 55 he's always worn. Tomas Kopecky is keeping his No. 82 jersey as is Tomas Fleischmann with No. 14.

But it doesn't stop there for the Panthers club, which now barely resembles last year's team. Sean Bergenheim, No. 10 last season in Tampa, will return to No. 20, which he wore with the Islanders. Another recent signee, Marcel Goc, has picked No. 21, according to the Panthers' website. He wore No. 9 most recently in Nashville and No. 11 for several seasons in San Jose.

Still not done. Jack Skille is changing his number from 15 to 12, according to a Panthers tweet. No reason was given. No one else has taken No. 15 in Florida. Finally moving on now...

Semyon Varlmov (1) gets his new Colorado sweater / Avalanche

Goaltender Semyon Varlamov signed with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1. Six days later, he was welcomed by the Denver media and given his new No. 1 sweater by the team. He wore No. 1 last season with the Capitals but had 40 prior to that.

On a related number note, no Avalanche player will ever again sport the No. 21 sweater that Peter Forsberg made famous. According to a tweet on June 30, the team will retire it on opening night (Oct. 8) against the Red Wings.

But wait there's more. I haven't seen photos yet, but a number of other players have already settled on jersey numbers with their new teams.

Details on Dany Heatley and Martin Havlat have moved and can now be found in the July 12 update.

Jaromir Jagr is making his return to the NHL this fall. He's keeping his trademark No. 68 sweater, but this time he's bringing it to the Philadelphia Flyers. You can already buy one. That's just so wrong. Speaking of Philly, newcomer goalie Ilya Bryzgalov will keep his No. 30.

Peter Budaj is joining the Montreal Canadiens this season. He hasn't yet said what number he'll wear, but he won't be hanging on to the No. 31 he wore in Denver as long as Carey Price is around. For that matter, newcomer Erik Cole will probably have to give up the No. 26 uniform he had as a Hurricane unless Josh Gorges decides to give it up.

In a July 7 tweet, the St. Louis Blues announced Jason Arnott will keep the No. 44 he wore in Washington and Jamie Langenbrunner will keep his No. 15 jersey. Arnott previously had No. 25 in New Jersey.

And in what could possibly be the best name/number combination to ever skate on NHL ice, Mike Commodore tweeted on July 6 that he's considering sporting No. 64 for the Detroit Red Wings. He's had No. 22 for the last three years in Columbus.

Let me know if I've missed anyone important. And if you do, please provide a link to a tweet or news article for verification... something beyond a team website's roster page. Those aren't always updated.