More Third Jersey Schedules for 2011-12

The Icethetics Season Preview will continue, but news has been taking precendence for the last couple days. Today, we have a handful of official third jersey schedules that a few teams have released for the 2011-12 season (in order of their jersey ranking).

The Minnesota Wild are set to bring back the NHL's only green sweater for its third season. The club recently released the third jersey schedule for the 2011-12 season and it's the first of five I have to share with you today.

The Wild's alternate uniform, unveiled in 2009, came in at 30th overall in the Icethetics NHL Uniform Ranking for 2010-11, which came out on Monday. The team will use it 15 times this season, the league maximum for third jerseys.

John MaddenHere's a look at all the dates you can expect to see them:

• Sat., Oct. 8 – vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
• Tues., Oct. 18 – vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
• Sat., Oct. 29 – vs. Detroit Red Wings
• Fri., Nov. 25 – vs. Edmonton Oilers
• Mon., Nov. 28 – vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
• Wed., Dec. 14 – vs. Chicago Blackhawks
• Sat., Dec. 17 – vs. New York Islanders
• Sat., Dec. 31 – vs. Phoenix Coyotes
• Sat., Jan. 21 – vs. Dallas Stars
• Thurs., Feb. 16 – vs. Winnipeg Jets
• Sun., Feb. 19 – vs. Boston Bruins
• Sun., Mar. 4 – vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Sat., Mar. 17 – vs. Carolina Hurricanes
• Tues., Mar. 27 – vs. New York Rangers
• Sat., Apr. 7 – vs. Phoenix Coyotes

All of these dates are home games.

And you'll notice the schedule includes St. Patrick's Day (March 17). As I mentioned, the Wild are currently the only NHL club with a green sweater in their arsenal.

The Buffalo Sabres are keeping their new third jersey around a little longer. In our NHL Uniform Ranking, the sweater finished 34th out of 90. Not bad but not great either.

On Wednesday, the Sabres confirmed that the sweater will be back for at least another season as they released a schedule of when it's to be worn during the 2011-12 season. It was launched last year as part of the club's 40th anniversary celebrations.

Jason PominvilleAccording to the team, the royal blue uniform will be seen in eight games this season, six at home and two on the road.

• Thurs., Oct. 27 – vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
• Sat., Nov. 5 – at Ottawa Senators
• Wed., Nov. 16 – vs. New Jersey Devils
• Sat., Dec. 3 – at Nashville Predators
• Fri., Dec. 9 – vs. Florida Panthers
• Tues., Jan. 3 – vs. Edmonton Oilers
• Fri., Feb. 10 – vs. Dallas Stars
• Wed., Mar. 14 – vs. Colorado Avalanche

It's surprisingly limited use for a third jersey. The NHL limit is about 15 games a season and most teams stick pretty close to that. Plus it was a pretty popular jersey last year.

In addition to these dates, the Sabres also said they'll wear their white road jerseys at home on Fri., Jan. 13 to accommodate the Maple Leafs sporting their new alternates that night.

By the way, one of the features of this jersey last year was the logo that was used as the club's anniversary mark — the classic Sabres logo with 1970 between the crossed swords. I assume that's staying as it's generic enough to not necessarily refer to the 40th anniversary. But I'll keep an eye on it anyway.

In 45th place in the Ranking — dead center — was the black Carolina Hurricanes third jersey, which is entering its fourth season in use.

The Canes recently released their third jersey schedule for the 2011-12 season. It includes 14 dates — all at home — one of which was just this week.

Jiri TlustyHere's when you can expect to see the black sweaters thoughout the new season:

• Wed., Oct. 12 – vs. Boston Bruins
• Tues., Oct. 25 – vs. Ottawa Senators
• Fri., Nov. 4 – vs. Washington Capitals
• Fri., Nov. 18 – vs. Buffalo Sabres
• Wed., Nov. 23 – vs. Montreal Canadiens
• Tues., Nov. 29 – vs. Florida Panthers
• Thurs., Dec. 1 – vs. New York Rangers
• Thurs., Dec. 15 – vs. Vancouver Canucks
• Wed., Dec. 21 – vs. Phoenix Coyotes
• Thurs., Dec. 29 – vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
• Fri., Jan. 6 – vs. Buffalo Sabres
• Fri., Jan. 20 – vs. Washington Capitals
• Mon., Feb. 20 – vs. Washington Capitals
• Sat., Feb. 25 – vs. Florida Panthers

Again with the Sabres on everyone's third jersey schedule. And it looks like the Capitals won't be seeing the Hurricanes' red jersey at all this season.

If I'm being cynical, I'd say this schedule may have something to do with selling jerseys for the holidays. Rather than being evenly spread out over the season, 10 of the 14 occasions are bunched up before or near Christmas. Just saying.

Coming in at 60th in our Ranking was the new third jersey launched by the Columbus Blue Jackets last year around Thanksgiving. This will be its second season in use.

On Wednesday, the team released its schedule for the special uniform during the 2011-12 season. It will see action in 12 games this year — 10 at home and two on the road. The first time will be against the Ducks on Halloween weekend.

R.J. UmbergerHere's how all of the Jackets' third jersey nights shake out:

• Sun., Oct. 30 – vs. Anaheim Ducks
• Sat., Nov. 5 – at Philadelphia Flyers
• Sat., Nov. 12 – vs. Winnipeg Jets
• Fri., Nov. 25 – vs. Buffalo Sabres
• Sat., Dec. 10 – vs. Boston Bruins
• Sat., Dec. 17 – vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
• Sat., Jan. 14 – vs. San Jose Sharks
• Sun., Feb. 12 – vs. Anaheim Ducks
• Sat., Feb. 18 – vs. Chicago Blackhawks
• Sun., Feb. 26 – at Pittsburgh Penguins
• Sun., Mar. 11 – vs. St. Louis Blues
• Wed., Mar. 28 – vs. Detroit Red Wings

Both times the Blue Jackets will sport their thirds on the road will be in neighboring state Pennsylvania. Interesting. Anyone want to talk about realignment? (Kidding!)

For the record, the Jackets still have their original third jersey launch page up on their website if you want more details about its design and such.

We finish with one of the lowest-rated jerseys in our 2010-11 Ranking. The Phoenix Coyotes alternate is 79th of 90. Ouch.

On Friday, in the Desert Dog Blog on the Coyotes' official website, it was announced that the team will wear the third jersey for every Thursday home game as well as the Friday after Thanksgiving. This will be be its fourth season in use.

Derek MorrisThey don't actually list the dates on their website, but based on the days they mention, here's how it all works out:

• Thurs., Oct. 20 – vs. Los Angeles Kings
• Thurs., Oct. 27 – vs. New Jersey Devils
• Thurs., Nov. 3 – vs. Nashville Predators
• Thurs., Nov. 10 – vs. Montreal Canadiens
• Fri., Nov. 25 – vs. Vancouver Canucks
• Thurs., Dec. 15 – vs. Edmonton Oilers
• Thurs., Jan. 19 – vs. Detroit Red Wings
• Thurs., Feb. 9 – vs. Calgary Flames
• Thurs., Mar. 1 – vs. Calgary Flames
• Thurs., Mar. 8 – vs. Minnesota Wild
• Thurs., Mar. 22 – vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Thurs., Mar. 29 – vs. San Jose Sharks

The Devils and Canadiens are the only Eastern Conference teams set to see the black thirds in action. The Flames will be the only team to see it twice.

The leaping coyote sweater is entering its fourth season in use by Phoenix, despite its unpopularity with Icethetics readers.

That's all I have for today. This post was supposed to go up on Thursday, but I just haven't had time to get it all assembled. I've also been aiming to wrap up the Icethetics Season Preview which has been a pretty spectacular cluster this year. I'll get there but...

All of that is taking a backseat next week to the launch of the IceHL Jersey Design Contest. We need to get that off the ground sooner rather than later. So I'll probably spend the rest of the weekend getting that ready to open up early in the week.

Update on Sunday · Oct 16 · 2011 | 6:02 PM PDT by Chris

I initially left the Tampa Bay Lightning out of this post because they haven't officially released a third jersey schedule that I know of. That said, over the last few years, they've typically used the blue BOLTS jersey exclusively for weekend home games.

The team has said the jersey will carry over following the recent rebranding, but obviously the shoulder patches — which featured the old primary logo — are going away. I'm not sure if they'll be replaced with the new logo or if they'll just be removed completely. The third jerseys now for sale online have no shoulder patches at all. But we'll have to wait for a game to know for sure.

Again, this 13-game schedule is only theoretical. It's based on what the Lightning have done in the past, so I can't guarantee accuracy.

• Sat., Oct. 22 – vs. Buffalo Sabres
• Sat., Oct. 29 – vs. Winnipeg Jets
• Sat., Nov. 19 – vs. New Jersey Devils
• Sat., Nov. 26 – vs. Florida Panthers
• Sat., Dec. 3 – vs. New York Rangers
• Sat., Dec. 31 – vs. Carolina Hurricanes
• Sun., Jan. 15 – vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
• Sat., Feb. 4 – vs. Florida Panthers
• Sat., Feb. 18 – vs. Washington Capitals
• Sat., Mar. 10 – vs. Carolina Hurricanes
• Sat., Mar. 17 – vs. St. Louis Blues
• Sat., Mar. 24 – vs. New York Islanders
• Sat., Mar. 31 – vs. Winnipeg Jets

Like I said, this isn't official, but obviously I'll be keeping an eye on it as the season progresses. I'm especially curious to see what changes they make to make it part of the new look (current blue pants or black shells, for instance).

By the way, it'll be another couple of weeks before there are enough photos out there for me to update the Jersey Galleries, but it will happen. That's easily my favorite section of Icethetics.

Isles 3rd Jersey Leaks Again

What's been called the worst hockey jersey design in history has become the NHL's worst kept secret of the year. And now there's another leak of the New York Islanders' forthcoming third jersey.

This time it's a photo I can actually post on the blog. According to Glen Cuthbert, who tweeted it tonight, it comes to us by way of River City Sports. Looks like a page from the retailer's catalog — and it probably shouldn't feature that unreleased jersey quite yet.

Over the summer, I posted a image that depicted the sweater's design. It was based on a photo from Reebok — the same photo seen on the catalog page above. I was not permitted to put that particular photo on the blog but I was able to provide my own graphic rendition of it.

It's believed the Islanders will officially unveil the jersey in late November. Every year since third jerseys came back, there has always been a team or two that holds out until Thanksgiving (US) or Black Friday for the big reveal — obviously hoping to capitalize on the Christmas season.

As for the design itself. It's been widely criticized primarily by Islanders fans. As you'd expect. It has black and grey in it. (Perhaps they're just using those colors to maintain balance in the universe since the Lightning dropped them.) It's very much untraditional and that tends not to sit well with Icethetics readers.

Now the opinion part — which you're highly likely to disagree with. So stop reading if you're not interested in an alternative perspective. Fair warning.

I like it. Not the jersey design, that's pretty hideous. But I like that a team like the Islanders is still willing to experiment with their uniforms even after all the trouble that's gotten them into in the past. Now that they've perfected their home and road uniforms, why not use the third jersey for which it was originally intended? Showcasing an alternate color.

If it doesn't catch on, so what? Try it for a year or two and surrender it to the pages of history. Wouldn't be the first time. Won't be the last. Yeah, maybe black was the wrong way to go, but maybe it's just bold enough to gain traction with the nontraditional fans and build up a struggling market. Or maybe I don't know anything at all. Wouldn't surprise me.

Clearly the Islanders are no longer interested in catering to the traditionalists. And good for them! They've done that for the past few years and it made everyone very happy. Myself included. Now why is it so wrong that they want to try something new? The world doesn't move forward without things trying new things.

So... I like it. A lot. I know this won't be a popular stance, but when have I ever spoken for the majority? But rather than going on, I'll just leave you with another look at the Isles' newest ugly sweater.

Icethetics Season Preview 2011, Part 2

Hockey season is here which means this "preview" is a few days late. Still, better late than never. Most of you will certainly notice some differences on the ice this season and that might leave you asking, what are those guys wearing? That's where the Icethetics Season Preview can help.

Yesterday we reviewed last season's NHL uniforms with a complete ranking as determined by Icethetics readers. Now, settle in for a week of detailed overviews of all that's aesthetically new and different around the hockey world in 2011.

Relocation, Expansion, Transfer & Termination

It's been a tumultuous summer across all levels of hockey. We've watched a lot of teams come and go. And unlike any other year in recent memory, this one captured the attention of — not just the hockey world — but an entire nation.

NHL: Atlanta Thrashers » Winnipeg Jets

On May 31, 2011 came the official announcement that the Atlanta Thrashers were over, sold to a group that wished to relocate a franchise to NHL-deprived Winnipeg, Manitoba. For the rest of the summer, questions were more common than answers.

Biggest, of course, was the name. Rumors abounded. The owners, True North Sports & Entertainment, wanted to keep the Manitoba Moose brand they'd built in the AHL, or maybe try a whole new identity, like the Bears. But in the end, the fans were the loudest voice. On June 25, the club's new management team took the stage at the NHL draft and claimed the first player for the Winnipeg Jets.

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333 VOTES

Immediately after it was prematurely leaked online, the Jets staged a last-minute press conference on July 22 to officially unveil their new logo. 

Finally on Sept. 6, the Jets revealed their official home and road uniforms for their inaugural season.

The logos and jerseys were met with mixed reaction, but how could they not be? Every Canadian hockey fan was watching and scrutinizing every decision. For True North, it was no simple task. It was the first relocation of an NHL team since the Whalers left Hartford for North Carolina in 1998.

As for the Thrashers, the team played 11 seasons in the NHL from 1999 until 2011. They outlasted Atlanta's previous NHL franchise by four years. The Flames were founded in 1972 and moved to Calgary in 1980.

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AHL: Manitoba Moose » St. John's IceCaps

The ripple effects of the Thrashers' relocation to Winnipeg were felt far and wide throughout hockey. But the most immediate impact was felt by the AHL's Manitoba Moose, who were left with nowhere to play as the Jets commandeered the MTS Centre. True North, who also owned the Moose, decided to send them east.

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260 VOTES

On July 29, the official name and logos were unveiled for the St. John's IceCaps, beginning a new hockey legacy in Newfoundland.

It seems the Moose's existence has always been dictated by the presence of the NHL in Winnipeg.

The franchise was founded in 1994 as the Minnesota Moose of the International Hockey League, playing in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. After just two seasons, they moved to Winnipeg, filling a gap left by the original Jets, who relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1996. Then in 2001, the Moose became one of six IHL teams to be absorbed by the American Hockey League.

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ECHL: Comings & Goings

Every year, the ECHL is the North American hockey league that endures the most change. This remains true in 2011 as the ECHL welcomes an expansion franchise, a transfer from another minor pro league, and sees the demise of its only Canadian-based club.

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186 VOTES

The Victoria Salmon Kings will not be returning for the 2011-12 season, ending one of the longest lineages in the ECHL. And believe it or not, their demise is due in part to the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers.

In late spring, rumors were rampant the NHL was headed to Winnipeg, displacing the AHL's Manitoba Moose. Everyone wondered where would they end up. One option was Victoria, British Columbia.

The Western Hockey League had its eye on that market since its Prince George Cougars moved out in 1994. Not wanting to risk losing it to the AHL, the Salmon Kings' owner purchased the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins and brought them to Victoria, folding his ECHL franchise.

That very franchise was a founding member of the East Coast Hockey League in 1988. But at the time, they played in Pennsylvania as the Erie Panthers. They moved to Louisiana in 1996, becoming the Baton Rouge Kingfish. After sitting out the 2003-04 season, the club returned as the Victoria Salmon Kings in 2004.

Only three of the ECHL's five original franchises remain in existence today, none of which are still playing where they started: Wheeling Nailers (Carolina Thunderbirds), Greenville Road Warriors (Johnstown Chiefs), and Utah Grizzlies (Virginia Lancers).

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This fall, the Chicago Express join the ECHL for their inaugural season as an expansion franchise, filling a minor hockey gap left with the folding of the Chicago Hounds of the United Hockey League in 2009.

On Sept. 21, 2010, the Express unveiled their name, colors and logos to fans. Despite using iconic downtown Chicago imagery in their brand design, the team plays in Hoffman Estates, Ill., which is about 30 miles outside the city.

A name-the-team contest was held during the summer of 2010. The finalists included Chicago Blizzard, Hoffman Estates Hammers, Chicago Knights, and of course, Chicago Express. Online voting was conducted between July 22 and August 4.

The club revealed its jerseys in late May 2011. Apart from wearing white and blue home and road uniforms, the Express will sport a grey alternate jersey featuring their secondary logos.

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190 VOTES

On May 31 the ECHL approved expansion membership for the Colorado Eagles, who transferred from the Central Hockey League.

The Eagles play in Loveland, Colo., about 50 miles north of Denver, and were founded in 2003. During eight seasons in the CHL the Eagles never missed the playoffs. They won two league championships in five finals appearances.

The new club helps the ECHL fill wide geographical gap between Salt Lake City, Utah and Cincinnati, Ohio. With the addition of the Eagles, the ECHL opens the 2011-12 season with 20 teams competing.

Trenton Devils » Trenton Titans

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192 VOTES

After losing money on their ECHL venture, the New Jersey Devils announced on July 6 they were suspending operations of the Trenton Devils, a franchise they purchased and rebranded in 2007.

However, the community wasted no time in saving the franchise as new ownership took control and revived the fan-favorite Trenton Titans identity. Many were left disappointed by the Devils' decision to rename the club four years ago.

The franchise was originally founded in 1999 as the Trenton Titans. They won their only Kelly Cup championship in 2005 against the Florida Everblades.

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CHL: Change in Bloomington

The Central Hockey League lost one of its franchises heading into the 2011-12 season as the Colorado Eagles were granted membership into the ECHL. But that's not the only big change in the CHL.

Bloomington PrairieThunder » Bloomington Blaze

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171 VOTES

Following their quick exit from the 2011 CHL playoffs, the Bloomington PrairieThunder promptly folded.

Soon after, the CHL granted an expansion franchise to new owners who would put a team back in Bloomington, Illinois.

Technically, the Bloomington Blaze join the CHL as an expansion franchise rather than a continuation of the PrairieThunder — but they do replace that franchise, playing home games in the same arena.

The Bloomington PrairieThunder were originally an expansion franchise founded in 2006 in the United Hockey League, which changed its name to the International Hockey League in 2007. Then in 2010, the IHL merged with the Central Hockey League where the PrairieThunder played only a single season before folding.

The CHL will be comprised of 14 teams for its 2011-12 campaign.

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QMJHL: Crossing Rivers & Borders

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will look a little different heading into the new season, with one team relocating and another taking the year off before relocating.

Montreal Junior Hockey Club » Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

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181 VOTES

The QMJHL club with the most cumbersome will move and take on a new name that's just as cumbersome.

The Montreal Junior Hockey Club, based in Verdun, Quebec, moves across a pair of rivers to Boisbriand, Quebec to become the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada for the 2011-12 season. At least now you can just call them the Armada. Before, it was always awkward.

This is actually the second time this franchise has relocated. It was originally founded in 2005 as the St. John's Fog Devils in Newfoundland. The team moved to Quebec in 2008.

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167 VOTES

Elsewhere, the Q's only American-based franchise — in Lewiston, Maine — was purchased by the league this summer and shut down for the upcoming season.

According to the league, the Lewiston MAINEiacs will be resurrected to the start the 2012-13 season in Sherbrooke, Quebec — the very town from which it was moved in 2003.

The franchise itself is actually one of the QMJHL's oldest. The Trois-Rivieres Ducs were a founding member of the Q in 1969. They were renamed the Draveurs in 1973. In 1992, the club relocated to Sherbrooke and became the Faucons for six seasons. In 1998, the name was changed to Sherbrooke Castors. There's been no word yet from the league as to what the team will be called when it returns to action in Sherbrooke in 2012.

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WHL: Staking Its Claim in Victoria

We wrap up the second day of the Icethetics Season Preview on the west coast. As mentioned earlier, upon witnessing the upheaval in the pro leagues, the Western Hockey League rushed to stake a claim in a city they've wanted to take back for 17 years.

Chilliwack Bruins » Victoria Royals

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191 VOTES

On April 20, the Chilliwack Bruins were sold and relocated to Victoria, British Columbia.

Immediately, the new ownership launched a name-the-team contest. The online poll included Victoria Capitals, Royals, Dragons, Force, Tide and Thunder. Ultimately, Victoria Royals was selected and announced as the team's new name on June 21. 

Along with the name, the Royals also unveiled their logo and dark uniform, which is based on the Tampa Bay Lightning's blue third jersey. The white sweater debuted when the Royals hit the ice on September 26.

The franchise was founded in 2006 as the Chilliwack Bruins, but when the AHL's Abbotsford Heat moved to the area in 2009, it led to a diminished interest in the WHL club, paving the way for its relocation.

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I think that about covers Part 2 of the Icethetics Season Preview 2011. Here's what's on deck:

• Part 3: New Logos Around the Minors
• Part 4: New Logos Around the NHL
• Part 5: The Final Edition of NHL JerseyWatch 2011
• Part 6: Tributes & More

Icethetics Season Preview 2011, Part 1

Before we look ahead to the new season, it's worth taking a brief look back. Over the past several months, Icethetics has been conducting a series of polls asking readers to rate all of the 90 uniforms worn in the NHL during the 2010-11 season. Now here they are, in the order you chose, from best to worst:

NHL Uniform Ranking 2010-11

Update on Monday · Oct 10 · 2011 | 11:28 PM PDT by Chris

When I posted this today I forgot to mention the big number — how many votes there were. And actually, it's kind of impressive. In all, there were 483,790 votes cast amongst the 90 uniforms seen during the 2010-11 NHL season. That's about 5,375 votes per uniform.

The results of each poll were used to determine a numerical rating between 1 and 10. The highest-rated jersey (Oilers home) received an 8.642 while the lowest (Thrashers alternate) received a 2.003 rating. I can publish all of the individal ratings if there's an interest, but I figured the visual ranking would be more interesting. And for the record, there were no ties. Every jersey seen above actually rated higher than the one after it.

PollDaddy.com was used to conduct all 90 polls and I employed a feature that restricted voters (by IP address) to casting no more than one vote per day while each poll was open (two weeks for each poll) to avoid ballot-stuffing. It was the largest series of polls Icethetics has ever run.

AHL: New Thirds for Bears, Stars

While I was away on vacation last week a couple of AHL teams unveiled new third jerseys.

The Hershey Bears announced they are bringing back another retro look as their new alternate sweater for the 2011-12 season. It will make its game debut on Saturday, Oct. 15 for the club's home opener as they host the Norfolk Admirals.

On Wednesday, the Bears tweeted a graphic that showed the design, though an actual photo of the jersey itself has yet to surface. It features the "skating bear" logo that's been seen on a number of sweaters throughout the club's long history.

The Bears previously wore a maroon version of this jersey as their alternate. Presumably they're switching to white to make it easier to wear at home. In the AHL, teams wear dark uniforms on the road, so if a club wants to don a dark alternate on their home ice, they need to work out logistics with the visitor in advance.

Lately, it seems whenever a new Reebok Edge jersey is introduced, the game we play is which NHL team's template is it based on? I'll give you a minute. If you came up with the Buffalo Sabres home/road jerseys, you got it. The colors may be different, but the design is the same.

AHL Stars' new jersey and logoThe Texas Stars are also introducing a new white third jersey this season. 

Like the Bears, the Stars unveiled their new sweater online on Wednesday. But just over a week earlier, they first showed the new alternate logo seen on the shoulder. It's a wordmark that reads TEXAS with a star replacing the X.

Though this week's press release doesn't mention a specific date for the new sweater's debut, it does reference tonight's home opener a number of times. I'll keep an eye out for game photos.

Now a couple of pull quotes. Here's what the team says about the new secondary logo:

The new design was developed in coordination with the Texas Stars marketing department and the official jersey provider, Reebok. The new design will feature a centered two-tone gold star as the ‘X’ in Texas and will be comprised of the team’s existing colors with the addition of a new dark gold. 

“We are excited to unveil the new secondary logo for the Texas Stars,” said Texas Stars President Rick McLaughlin. “The new design is important to our team’s branding and establishing a new way to identify us. The new design looks great and will help us stand out in the league.”

And the new jersey:

The alternate jerseys are primarily white and dark green, with gold accents. The Texas Stars primary logo serves as the jersey crest, while the Stars new alternate logo (unveiled earlier in the off-season) serves as the shoulder patch on the new jerseys. The nameplates will consist of dark green lettering on the backs of the jersey.

The numbers on the sleeves and the backs of the sweater will be dark green with gold trim. The Stars will wear black pants, black gloves and white helmets with their new alternate jerseys.

“We are excited to unveil the new alternate jersey for the Texas Stars,” said Texas Stars President Rick McLaughlin. “The new jersey is an important extension of our brand in central Texas, using a combination of our original logo and our new secondary logo. Fans will be able to identify us in a whole new way.”

This one uses the template of the Phoenix Coyotes' third jersey. It's not a bad look and I like that they're using their actual logo on the front of this one rather than the text they use on their home and road sweaters much like the Dallas Stars.

UPDATE (9:05 PM): The Stars did not debut their third jersey during tonight's 7-0 blowout of the Oklahoma City Barons. Guess we'll have to keep an eye on them over the coming weeks to get a glimpse of it in action. Their next home game is Friday, Oct. 14.

Any AHL fans reading? What do you think of these new thirds?