On the Ice, Nothing's Scarier

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This always happens once the season gets going. I have less and less time to update the web site and I know many of you are disappointed by that. But I'm just one guy with a job and a life (sort of). Anyway, when I have time and content worth posting, I'll be here. (No plans to shut down like last year.)

All right, so here's today's content worth posting. The OHL's Kingston Frontenacs paid tribute last night to Don Cherry of all people — by wearing jerseys modeled after his trademark plaid suit.

Frontenacs' Don Cherry jerseyDoes anything make you smile more than that? It's just so ridiculous. 

The jerseys will be auctioned off online Here's the full release from the Frontenacs.

The Kingston Frontenacs are pleased to announce that on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009, they will be honouring Canadian Forces Base Kingston in their annual salute to the military and Don Cherry will be joining them at the event.

On that night, the Kingston Frontenacs will be unveiling and wearing a limited edition, one-of-a-kind Don Cherry game sweater. Each Don Cherry sweater will be autographed by the Canadian hockey legend and then made available for sale in an on-line auction, with proceeds from the monies raised to be donated to Soldier On.

Seriously, who wouldn't want one of those jerseys? Looks like they're all starting around $150. Get your bids in now!

By the way, nothing is funnier than Cameron Gaunce's face in this ceremonial faceoff photo-op. A true WTF moment.

Gaunce: Who the heck are we playing right now and why is Santa here so early?

Thanks to Carlo for sending this in.

All right, back to the NHL now for some quick updates. Yesterday, I posted a link to Twitter about third jersey article on NHL.com. It outlined a lot of information we already know and touched on a few new items — primarily with regard to the Cats and Avs.

The biggest new info is that the Florida Panthers have set a debut date for their third jersey. Ladies and gentlemen — Monday, November 23 hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This is actually the only alternate sweater in this year's batch we have yet to see. Either they are the best team in the NHL at keeping secrets... or it's the Panthers and no one cares what their third jersey looks like.

I live in Fort Myers (technically Panther territory, not Lightning) and that game will be televised on FS Florida. That means I'll be able to offer HD video of the new sweater in action.

By the way, I just realized the Panthers and Penguins play each other in Miami both on Oct. 23 and Nov. 23. Weird.

The NHL.com article is the first official confirmation that the Colorado Avalanche will unveil a new third jersey in mid-November.

Specifically, it says that the sweater "will be worn for the first time in an unspecified mid-November game. A press conference will act as the grand unveiling a day or two before the game."

The only mid-November game the Avs play at home is on Saturday, November 14 against the Canucks. That's what I call a safe bet. We should probably expect that press conference on Nov. 12 or 13.

In case you missed it, here's an unconfirmed look at that new sweater.

That's it for today. When I next have time to update the site, I promise a concept post. You have my word!

Habs Centennial Jersey Sked

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Thanks to everyone who responded to my previous post! The Montreal Canadiens' released Centennial jersey event list via their 2009-10 season pocket schedule. See it here, courtesy of Dante_X.

Five nights during this campaign will be dedicated to old-time Montreal hockey sweaters, and they are scheduled to be worn as follows.

  • Saturday, Oct. 31 - vs Toronto (1912-13/striped)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 10 - vs Calgary (1910-11/red)
  • Saturday, Nov. 21 - vs Detroit (1909-10/blue)
  • Saturday, Jan. 23 - vs NY Rangers (1910-11/red)
  • Saturday, Feb. 13 - vs Philadelphia (1909-10/blue)

Let me point out the irony is not lost on me that the Habs will don the scary striped jersey on Halloween night. Speaking of which, in case you're not up on your Canadiens history and you don't know your 1909 jersey from your 1910 jersey, here's a quick refresher.

1912-13 centennial jersey

1909-10 centennial jersey

1910-11 centennial jersey

Personally, I can't wait to see the latter two. Not sure which one I like better. They're just so unlike anything else in the NHL these days. Shame we have to look back a century to find quality hockey sweaters.

By the way, Icethetics reader and Habs fan Adam makes a good point. The actually 100th anniversary date — December 4 — isn't listed as a Centennial jersey night. Makes you wonder if they have something else entirely up their sleeve that night as they face the Bruins. (I wish the Bs would sport that Winter Classic sweater a month early.)

Anyway, thanks again to those of you who contributed to this post. I'm adding the special dates to the calendar now.

Pens 3rd Jersey Sked

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have released their third jersey schedule for 2009-10. The powder blue sweater will make its season debut when the Pens take on the Lightning this Saturday and be worn 11 other times throughout the season, including twice on the road.

Here's the full schedule, which comes from the Penguins' web site.

  • Saturday, Oct. 17 - vs Tampa Bay
  • Friday, Oct. 30 - @ Columbus
  • Monday, Nov. 16 - vs Anaheim
  • Friday, Nov. 27 - @ NY Islanders
  • Thursday, Dec. 3 - vs Colorado
  • Saturday, Dec. 12 - vs Florida
  • Sunday, Dec. 27 - vs Toronto
  • Tuesday, Jan. 5 - vs Atlanta
  • Thursday, Jan. 28 - vs Ottawa
  • Monday, Feb. 1 - vs Buffalo
  • Sunday, Feb. 14 - vs Nashville
  • Saturday, Mar. 6 - vs Dallas

The Pens aren't the only ones who've recently released a special sweater schedule. I'm working on getting confirmation for the Montreal Canadiens' centennial jersey nights for this season. Can anyone help with that?

New Minor League Jerseys

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We're taking another stab at the Icethetics Season Preview with a look at a variety of mostly horrendous minor league jerseys for 2009-10. We'll begin with the bigger leagues.

In the AHL, the Rochester Americans will be pulling out an old classic to be worn as a third jersey.

Rochester Americans' 3rd jersey

I don't know if it's better or worse than what Montreal did to us last season. As mentioned previously on Twitter, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers will take to the ice looking like the old Islanders all year.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers' new uniforms

Their new home and road jerseys are modeled after the Isles' new throwback third. Hopefully the big league club will join them soon.

In the ECHL, the Stockton Thunder recently unveiled their new third jersey.

 

Yeah, if that's not bad enough, the lightning bolt motif is even making its way into the SPHL. The Mississippi Surge will wear these this year.

Mississippi Surge uniforms

The Dayton Gems have also released designs for four different jerseys that will be used for 2009-10. There are home, road, alternate and retros. For a league that probably plays four games a year, it's probably a little much. But wait until you see them.

I'd be embarrassed to wear that in front of the home crowd. At least black road jersey has some interesting striping. That yellow jersey is just horrible. 

Here's the third to the left. Very reminiscent of our favorite Reebok Edge designs, what with the interrupted striping, curvy tails and the team name printed across the ass.

The retro's not that much better.

 

They've hidden most of the logo in the picture anyway.

I have to finish up by going back to the AHL. I saved this one intentionally. I've seen teams wear patches to commemorate a championship victory. But I have never seen an entire sweater dedicated to blatantly bragging about it.

Way to go, Hershey Bears, for being the first.

That is all I have to say on that. Feel free to share your opinions below.