Two NHL arenas get new names, new logos

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When they take the ice this fall, the homes of the Arizona Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning will have new names. And on Wednesday, the logos for both buildings were revealed.

In Glendale, Jobing.com Arena becomes Gila River Arena — with Gila River Casinos buying the naming rights through 2023. This is the "first federally recognized Tribal naming rights deal with a sports venue that houses one of four major professional sports leagues in the country."

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Times Forum was renamed Amalie Arena. The naming rights were picked up by Tampa-based Amalie Oil Company.

If you've never heard of it, you're part of a big club. I'm from Tampa and I've never heard of it. But that's their problem. They want better name recognition and buying up sports arena naming rights is good for that.

And for the record, it's pronounced like "family," not the weird French film.

Neither of these names or logos are especially interesting. But the jokes are okay.

Capitals set unveiling date for 2015 Winter Classic threads

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Today, the Washington Capitals announced the 2015 NHL Winter Classic will be held at Nationals Park on New Year's Day — Thurs., Jan. 1, 2015.

But two weeks from now — on Tues., Sept. 23 — they will hold a press conference at the ballpark to unveil their jersey for the big game.

The Blackhawks will be the Caps' opponent for the Winter Classic, but it's unclear if their uniform will be unveiled at the same time.

Also missing the Winter Classic logo itself. Perhaps we'll get that between now and Sept. 23 or they'll wait to unveil it at the press conference too.

I've heard the rumblings the Caps are considering a simple red version of the throwback from their last Winter Classic appearance. That would be the least surprising way to go.

But that's not all we got from the Capitals today.

The team announced it will celebrate its 40th anniversary this season with a special logo and commemorative jersey patch.

From the press release:

The Capitals’ Opening Night at Verizon Center ... against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 9 marks the anniversary of the franchise’s first game. ... To commemorate the occasion, Capitals legends will participate in a ceremonial puck drop, and the Capitals will wear white alternate uniforms during the home opener.

There's our confirmation that the white third will stick around at least another season, by the way.

The club has not released a third jersey schedule for the rest of the year, but typically wears the sweater for a number of road games during the season. Since it's white, seeing it at a home game is rare.

So what are you hoping to see at the Winter Classic? If you have an idea, I'd love to share it on the Concepts page!

Lightning release photo teasing new third jersey

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Photo from Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook

So it begins. The Tampa Bay Lightning started the first third jersey teaser campaign of the 2014 offseason this morning.

The team posted a black and white photo on Facebook and Twitter today with the cryptic caption "...are you ready?"

In the photo, Steven Stamkos is shown from the shoulders up wearing a sweater we've never seen before. Black seemingly. Even the template looks new to my eyes. What do you see?

By the way, I toyed with the photo a bit, adding some blue where we might expect it.

Photo re-colored by Icethetics

A full unveiling of the jersey may be coming in the next few days or so. Stay tuned!

UPDATE · Sep 10 · Turns out the unveiling seems to be set for Sat., Sept. 27 when the Lightning hold their annual Fan Fest.

A later tweet featured the same photo as before with the tag line "Black Out the Date" added. Sounds like the Bolts' marketing team will be promoting "Black Out" nights when the team wears its new sweater during the season.

The third jersey dates were already released by the team last month. The on-ice debut will be on Thurs., Nov. 13 when Tampa hosts the Sharks.

I'm told more sneak peek photos are on the way. Keep an eye on this photo gallery from the team's website to be the first to see them. Or just keep checking back here at Icethetics.

Finally, the Tampa Bay Times Forum is no more and the logo for the newly renamed Amalie Arena was released today.

Talk about uninspiring.

You might recall a couple of blog posts I did last year on arena logos. Check out the Eastern Conference and Western Conference at these links. And for the post that includes the Ice Palace, click here.

Devils will again go green on St. Patrick's Day in 2015

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It's been confirmed the New Jersey Devils will once again break out their retro green-infused sweaters for St. Patrick's Day this coming season.

Devils beat writer Tom Gulitti reported the news via his Fire & Ice blog on Sunday.

The Devils will once again wear their vintage red, green and white jerseys on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17, 2015) for their “Retro Night” game against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Devils started the "holiday" tradition in 2010 when they first brought back a color scheme they hadn't worn since 1992.

They defeated the Penguins 5-2 in the uniform's debut on March 17, 2010 — but haven't won since when donning the throwbacks. In 2011, they played on the day after St. Patrick's Day and were shut out by the Capitals 3-0.

In 2012, it was a rematch against Pittsburgh where the Pens were victorious, 5-2. Having no games scheduled on March 17 or 18, 2013, New Jersey skipped their annual tradition during the lockout-shortened season.

Last spring, they hosted the Bruins on March 18 and lost again, this time 4-2. And let's not forget they wore the throwbacks for their Stadium Series game at Yankee Stadium in January. They were pummeled by the Rangers 7-3. So at this point, the Devils are 1-4 when wearing green. Luck — to make an appropriate pun — may not be on their side here.

On March 17, 2015, they'll host the Penguins on St. Patrick's Day for the third time in six seasons. And knowing that the Pens have a new gold third jersey in the works, how cool would it be to see both teams in the sweaters they wore in 1984?

Flashback to 1984!

Flashback to 1984!

New Jersey Devils retro jersey, 2010—

New Jersey Devils retro jersey, 2010—

Arizona Coyotes to wear throwback jersey in March

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The Arizona Coyotes have announced their theme nights for upcoming 2014-15 season — including the date for the highly anticipated Throwback Night, which will be Thurs., March 5.

From the announcement:

Thursday, Mar. 5 vs Vancouver Canucks (Throwback Night): Celebrate the Coyotes history in the Valley of the Sun and watch the team play in one of the franchise’s original uniforms. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a throwback Jeremy Roenick Bobble Head courtesy of Gila River Casinos.

The Coyotes haven't yet said which of the jerseys will be worn for that game. Dark jerseys are worn at home these days, but when the Coyotes arrived in 1996, teams wore white at home.

That brings us to the Canucks. Might they wear a throwback jersey as well? This theme night is about the Coyotes, so it's unlikely. But you never know. Keep the spaghetti skate in mind next March!

Phoenix Coyotes uniforms, 1996—2003