IceCaps unveil Montreal-style sweaters for new era

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Early, very early this morning, the AHL's St. John's IceCaps unveiled their new uniforms for the 2015-16 season, their first as Montreal's affiliate.

As you can see in the photos, generously provided to Icethetics by the IceCaps, the look is not unfamiliar. The minor league club will sport Canadiens sweaters featuring their newly recolored logo.

From the press release:

“With the unveiling of these sharp, clean, classic-looking jerseys today, the IceCaps have taken another tangible step in cementing our bond with the Montreal Canadiens,” said IceCaps President and CEO Danny Williams.
“There was never really a doubt in our minds that we would incorporate our revised logo into the elegant and world-renowned jerseys the Canadiens have proudly worn for almost a hundred years. It was a no-brainer. We’re excited about our bright, new look and I’m sure our fans will be as well.” 

But eagle-eyed jersey nuts will surely notice these are not quite the same jerseys the Habs themselves will be wearing in the new season. Last month, Montreal unveiled new sweaters, which now include white lace-up collars instead of the two-tone V-necks.

The IceCaps unveiled their updated bleu, blanc et rouge logo two months ago.

Hey wait a second, you say, I thought the IceCaps moved to Winnipeg and became the new Manitoba Moose. What's going on here?!

Well, you are not wrong. The IceCaps did move to Winnipeg and they are now the Moose. The original IceCaps, that is.

The team we're talking about today used to be the Hamilton Bulldogs. They moved to Newfoundland this summer, filling that vacancy and appropriating the IceCaps name and logo.

But the Hamilton Bulldogs still exist! You're making my brain hurt.

Ah yes, that is correct as well. When the Bulldogs AHL team departed Ontario, they were replaced by an OHL junior team who, similarly, took on the pre-existing branding — and, in this case, even the jerseys.

It's all very confusing, I know. Try not to think too hard about it. All that really matters is St. John's hockey fans will now cheer on Habs prospects. For a few years, anyway. Then the franchise will relocate again, this time to the province of Quebec.

I quit.

Probably best.

So, thoughts on these new uniforms?