Charlie from Sabres Not Slugs pointed me to a cool new video from the Buffalo-based Artvoice. Buffalo Sabres creative services director Frank Cravotta is interviewed and talks about designing the third jersey and a new line of Sabres clothing that will be available soon.
You can watch the video right here on Icethetics.
He's done some awesome work there. I look forward to seeing what else that team comes up with. Any thoughts?
I've been trying to get some concept art posted a little more frequently. So since we're lacking any real news today, I can offer you these concept designs created by some of your fellow readers.
We'll start with the Kings and some ideas for their new third jersey.
And here's a series of various Kings logos from history in black and silver on a black sweater.
They don't all work, obviously. So let's get some color back in here.
I could really get behind a jersey like that.
Got a couple of concept logos to share as well. We'll start with the Blackhawks.
You already know I'm not a fan of their Indian head logo, but you can also be assured that I don't think this is the right direction. Very clean design though.
This would only work for the Islanders if the Rangers didn't exist. But this Big Apple imagery won't fly for the team on Long Island. Still, it's another excellent logo.
And we'll finish where we started — colorless.
These are some all-star game jersey ideas. Not bad, but very plain.
Seriously, nothing seems to be going on today. Yesterday I had five posts. Seven on Sunday. Today, I'm barely going to get this one to count for Thursday. Anyway, it was a nice break and it gave me some time to start putting together next week's Icethetics Season Preview.
Anyway, just so you guys aren't left with nothing tonight, I'll respond to a few of the emails I've been getting pretty frequently these days.
No, the Detroit Red Wings are not changing the nameplate lettering on their jerseys. This is something we seem to go through every year around this time.
During the regular season and playoffs, each player has a custom made arched nameplate on his back. Obviously, something of that nature requires considerable time and effort — something wasted on the dozens of guys who are only trying out in the preseason and won't actually make the team. So a simpler lettering process is put to use.
That's a sample of what they're using for the preseason. Everything will be back to normal once the regular season begins. Count on it.
Back in July, I wrote up a bit after the draft about the Ducks enlarging the wordmark on the front of the jerseys. There appears to be new evidence of that in photos of preseason action.
It's a step in the right direction, Anaheim. Now if you just drop the UCKS, you'll have a happy camper over here.
The Ottawa Sun, who I was recently mean to has pictures of Darth— pardon, Martin Gerber's new helmet.Gerber made waves last season by wearing an unpainted black goalie helmet. It earned him the nickname Darth. Apparently he liked it because he's had his new helmet painted like Darth Vader.
During the Goalie Mask Tournament at NHLToL several months ago, he was unsurprisingly defeated in the first round, garnering only 25% of the vote against Mathieu Garon.
That's all I've got for tonight. Hopefully there's more going on tomorrow. If nothing else, I'll at least have some concept art for your viewing pleasure.
The Edmonton Oilers announced tonight during a game webcast that they will officially unveil their new third jersey for the 2008-09 season on October 7.
A couple of readers sent in screenshots of the announcement.
Rumors have indicated the Oil will be one of a handful of clubs reverting to vintage alternate sweaters. They've always managed top-notch third jerseys and I expect nothing less this time. According to information I've received, they'll debut the jersey in a game five days later on October 12 against the Avalanche.
The unveiling is scheduled for 10 AM local time on that day — that's noon here in the east for me. I'll probably hold another Live Chat for that.
Thanks to everybody who sent in emails. Let the countdown begin!
The Montreal Canadiens have announced their plans for their 100th anniversary season. They also unveiled a collection of vintage sweaters which will be worn throughout the season along with the jersey for the NHL All-Star Game which will take place in Montreal in January.
Four separate vintage sweaters will be used this season. Two will be introduced in the 2009-10 season. An image posted on their official web site shows the new duds.
According to the team, there will be eight Centennial Jersey Nights throughout the season where the Habs will don retro sweaters — two games for each jersey. Before I detail the schedule, I'll tell you about the four jerseys.
1912-13
1915-16
1945-46
1970-71
Interestingly, the jersey they seem to be indicating as the 1970 vintage style is actually just what they wear on the road currently. However, all of the Centennial Jersey Nights take place in Montreal.
The first one is October 4 against the Panthers when they'll wear the 1970 jersey. On November 15 against the Flyers, they'll wear 1945. They'll don the 1915 sweaters on December 4 against the Rangers. And on February 1 they'll wear the 1912 jerseys against the Bruins.
Those jerseys are repeated in the same order for the last four Centennial Jersey Nights on February 21 against the Senators, March 14 when they face the Devils, a week later against the Maple Leafs, and on March 31 when they face the Blackhawks.
As I said, two more jerseys will be introduced for next year from 1909 and 1910. You can see them below. Oddly, they each have 08 on the sleeves but they aren't indicated for use until fall of 2009.
It's going to be a big year for the Habs. I look forward to seeing them in all of these vintage jerseys.
