Sweater Switch '09: Part 6

Turns out the Sweater Switch series isn't quite over just yet. I realized there were some pictures I hadn't yet posted. Since it's been so long, for those of you who don't know, the Sweater Switch series is here to give you a first look at players wearing their new uniforms for 2009-10.

First, obviously, Alex Tanguay. He officially signed with my Tampa Bay Lightning back on September 1 and posed for photos with coach Rick Tocchet and GM Brian Lawton.

Rick Tocchet, Alex Tanguay and Brian Lawton

Tanguay opted for the No. 13 sweater this season, same as he wore last year in Montreal. But as he pointed out in the press conference, Tanguay's preferred number is 18. It's what he wore with the Flames from 2006 to 2008. Adam Hall has that one locked up in Tampa.

However, Tanguay may be best known for his No. 40 jersey, which he donned throughout his tenure with the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche. Another Adam (Deadmarsh) had No. 18 back then.

Mike KomisarekMike Komisarek, one of a handful of new Toronto Maple Leafs has selected No. 8, as you can see in the photo to the right.

No surprises there as it's the same number he wore for six seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. Can't say what its significance is.

The last guy for Part 6 is Mike Knuble, who joined the Washington Capitals this offseason after four years in Philadelphia. As you can see in the picture below, he will keep the No. 22 sweater he wore with the Flyers.

Knuble began his career with No. 22 in Detroit for two seasons followed by two more with the Rangers. He then strayed for five years between 1999 and 2004, wearing the No. 26 jersey in Boston. At the time he joined the Bruins, Mikko Eloranta had No. 22.

Mike Knuble

If you guys can track down any new pictures before the season starts, I may be able to get in one more Sweater Switch post before the highly anticipated Icethetics Season Preview! (Kidding, no one's anticipating it.)

One more note. I have new concept art on the way. Look for it to be posted Tuesday or Wednesday.

Amerks Unveil New Jerseys!

As expected, the AHL's Rochester Americans unveiled their new jerseys for the 2009-10 season at a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Basically, the Amerks are switching back to the same design they wore prior to the Age of Reebok. However, these are still Edge jerseys. Let's not get crazy now.

This photo was provided via the team's web site.

Rochester Americans unveil new jerseys

The Amerks were stuck with red jerseys when the change to Reebok was originally initiated.

Amerks' old red sweaterFor reference, to the right is a shot of Jason Garrison from last season. Clearly the threads above are a major improvement. Rochester has worn blue for as long as I can remember so the change was certainly odd.

Not only is the blue back, but the piping is gone from both sweaters and the horizontal stripes have returned. Guess Reebok decided to incorporate those lousy elements for no other reason than to promote themselves.

According to the web site, the blue road jerseys were last worn during the 2005-06 campaign. It's certainly nice to see that they're back.

One unrelated note now. The Icethetics Season Preview is just over a week away. It's a week-long event which you may remember from last season. Things kick off on Monday, September 21.

It's got everything you need to know to start the season — new logos, new jerseys — everything!

The next phase of the IceHL Project will be announced that day as well.

Preds 3rd Leaked at Concert

The Nashville Predators used a country music concert to leak their new third jersey last night at the Sommet Center.

According to Preds fan blog Section 303, singer Taylor Swift made a wardrobe change for her encore — donning the yet unseen alternate sweater. Preds forward Steve Sullivan even hinted at the surprise via Twitter last night.

Photo from Section303.com

Section 303 nabbed a photo from a giant video screen so obviously it lacks in quality in terms of detail. For that, we'll probably still have to wait until next Thursday.

I don't think anybody but a couple of 11-year-olds in the front row actually got a good look at it. Still, we can make out some of the basic features. It actually looks a lot like the mockup that was based off of one fan's alleged early look at the jersey.

It looks to be dark blue, with fewer colors on the crest, white stripes around the waist and sleeves, and laces at the collar. It's too difficult to make out whether that checkerboard pattern is present. (Section 303 says it's not but didn't provide any photographic evidence.)

What the earlier "leak" failed to incorporate was the the new circular logo that appears to be on the shoulders. It looks like the primary logo enclosed in a heavy circle — similar to the logo on the Wild's home jersey.

Predators owner David Freeman certainly wasn't lying about the Original Six feel of the jersey — aside from the glaringly modern logo on the front of the sweater, of course.

In fact, Jeremy at Section 303 points out, it's practically a carbon copy of the Maple Leafs' classic uniforms. That will probably hurt it's originality score.

Section 303 has more pictures. Thanks to all of the Icethetics readers who wrote in overnight with this news. My inbox was overflowing with new messages when I woke up this morning.

Remember, the official unveiling takes place at the Sommet Center this Thursday prior to the Preds' preseason game against the Thrashers. We'll have much better photos to look at then.

Winter Classic Windfall

If you've been following the comments in the previous post today, then by now you're aware of what I'm posting tonight. If you steer clear of the comments as I do, it's time to catch up on the big news of the day and it's all about the 2010 Winter Classic.

First, the Philadelphia Flyers officially unveiled their new jersey for the outdoor game.

Keeping in step with the previous four Winter Classic participants, the Flyers will don a classic look that harkens back to their earlier days. Unsurprisingly, it is simply a reversed version of the orange jersey introduced as an alternate last year. (It will become the new home sweater this season.)

Flyers players shoot at a wall of ice to reveal the jersey

Daniel Briere, Simon Gagne and Braydon Coburn were on hand today to reveal the new design by shooting pucks at a wall of ice that concealed it. The three Philadelphia skaters then modeled the sweaters for photos.

Briere, Gagne and Coburn model the Winter Classic threads

Interestingly, the biggest talker with this unveiling wasn't even the design itself — which had been rumored expected for months. From the comments and emails I read, many people could not get over the black nameplate on the back of the white sweater.

Notice the black nameplate on the white sweater...

Personally, I don't mind it. It fits well in context with the orange jersey (which features a white nameplate). It opens the door to making this the new road jersey in the near future. I know many of you are hoping for that. Maybe an orange nameplate would've been better, but black will certainly be more legible.

I recommend checking out the full photo gallery on the Flyers' web site.

The surprise of the day? The Boston Bruins third jersey was leaked online! And no, not at the hands of Icethetics. (Surprisingly.)

In fact, I'm actually not sure where this picture originated. But it clearly shows Tim Thomas wearing a yellow jersey the Bruins have never used before. (Much better than yesterday's poor excuse for a leaked image.)

Take a look.

Is Tim Thomas wearing the Bs' new Winter Classic sweater?

There's little doubt in my mind that this is the real thing — the Bs' brand new Winter Classic sweater. We'll get official word on that next Thursday when it is unveiled at the State of the Bruins event.

As far as the source of this image, the closest I could find was The Boston Sports Network blog. But I am not certain. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I certainly don't want to credit the wrong source.

Anyway, that wraps up today's big Winter Classic news. Just 110 days until the big event!

Preds 3rd Launch Date & More...

Lots to cover tonight so let's dive right in.

The Nashville Predators have revealed their plans for the unveiling of their brand new third jersey. According to the team's web site, the sweater will be introduced on Thursday, September 17.

That night the Preds face the Atlanta Thrashers in an exhibition match at the Sommet Center and fans in attendance will get their first look at the new threads during a pre-game ceremony.

Here's the text pulled from the web page.

Prior to the start of the Sept. 17 game, the Predators new Third Jersey will be revealed in a pre-game ceremony. Players debuting the new jersey will be available for autographs on the main concourse during the first intermission. 

If you're there, feel free to snap some photos and send them along. I'm sure everyone here will enjoy seeing them. Thanks to Paul for pointing out this new information.

To recap earlier news, it sounds like the third jersey will make its regular season debut sometime in November. Team owner David Freeman says it has a traditional look based on some Original Six teams. And back in July, a fan claiming to have seen the sweater, posted a description online which was followed up by a concept rendering.

Now onto the Boston Bruins.

This story may turn out to be nothing, but I got several emails so I thought I'd share it. A new video on NHL.com featuring Tim Thomas appears to show a retro-looking Bruins sweater we've never seen before.

Could it be a sneak peek at their new Winter Classic threads? Take a look at this screenshot and judge for yourself.

Sneak peek at Bruins Winter Classic sweater?

It's the yellow one there in the equipment bag. It's tough to say but it certainly isn't out the question. Like I said, I'll let you guys make up your own minds about its legitimacy. Feel free to discuss.

The design will be officially unveiled a week from tonight at the Bs' State of the Bruins event.

My final piece of news for the night is sort of a follow-up to Wednesday's late night post regarding the classic Buffalo Sabres logo continuing to appear at center ice. It's good news for fans who've been awaiting the imminent death of that awful yellow logo which debuted in 2006.

The final nail in the coffin may have come straight from the mouth of Buffalo bigwig Larry Quinn early today. Icethetics reader Kevin wrote in today with this report.

Hey Chris,

Larry Quinn, managing partner of the Buffalo Sabres was on Leafs Lunch with Bill Watters on AM 640 Toronto today. He let slip that the Sabres are migrating to wearing the retro sweaters full time. Audio isn't up on the website yet, but I'm sure it will be soon. Thought you'd like to know. Goodbye Buffaslug!

Kevin

I'm sure you guys can keep an eye (ear) out for that but it is certainly positive news. I think we'd all be better of if they just listened to John Slabyk in the first place. But we should all be grateful for the little victories where we can get them.

That's all for tonight.