2013 NHL Season Preview

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After a disappointing and annoyingly long delay, the new NHL season finally commences on Saturday night. So now would be as good a time as any for the Icethetics Season Preview.

Over the summer, we talked about what a boring year 2012-13 would be for uniform changes — with almost nothing new on the docket. Turns out the higher-ups may have done this on purpose considering how close we came to not having a season at all. But here we are. Let's take a look at what little will be changing for this shortened campaign.

What's In This Season?

Our last JerseyWatch 2012 update came in late August. And what were we most excited about? The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2013 NHL Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, of course! Those outdoor games always bring awesome new retro-inspired sweaters. But then the NHL went and canceled the whole thing.

How about the 2013 NHL All-Star Game in Columbus? Those All-Star sweaters are starting to go a bit stale after two years. Maybe we'd be treated to a brand new set? Nope. That was canceled too.

That just leaves the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are expected to bring their third jersey up to date with new shoulder patches. After introducing their new logos and uniforms last season, the club ran out of time to address the outdated features of the alternate. According to Raw Charge, the team says that will be addressed this year.

In theory, it'll look a little something like this (above). So basically, our biggest uniform change of the season will be a shoulder patch. And an existing one at that. Looks like all of us jersey geeks will actually be forced to focus on the games this season — which is good, since there will only be 48 of them.

What's Out This Season?

You want a longer list? The number of sweaters being retired effective this year is higher than it's been since the Reebok jersey massacre of 2007. Granted, it's just three, but still. Lately, NHL teams have been more interested in adding jerseys than deleting them.

  • Buffalo Sabres third jersey — It was launched to mark the franchise's 40th birthday. But after just two years, it will live on only in the history books.
  • Edmonton Oilers third jersey — This sweater has a sordid past and very few of us will be sad to see it go. Its significant lack of striping and bland color scheme made it instantly hated as a home jersey. When the Oilers came to their senses and brought back their classic colors, this became the alternate. Two years later, we say good riddance.
  • Florida Panthers third jersey — JetBlue got their money's worth, but no one else did. The Panthers were never meant to be blue and they definitely weren't meant to be powder blue. The Cats brought back the red last season and wrapped things up with this alternate.

Goodbye to these three alternate uniforms.

May we never see you on the ice again. As some misguided future throwback or otherwise.

Third Jerseys in a Shortened Season

One question I've seen a few times in going through the last week of emails has to do with how often teams will wear their alternate jerseys this season — that is, if they still have them. Typically, team's wear them 12-15 times during an 82-game season. My guess is that, with just 48 games this year, we might expect to see them 7-9 times each. Better than nothing, right?

Looking Ahead

If this lack of jersey news has you feeling down, fret not. I have a hunch this summer will be much more fruitful. We already know we're getting new stuff from Dallas and Minnesota in 2013-14. And I happen to know there will be a few surprises in store that haven't yet been reported.

Stay tuned for the first edition of NHL JerseyWatch 2013 coming this week!

Icethetics Season Preview 2011, Part 2

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Hockey season is here which means this "preview" is a few days late. Still, better late than never. Most of you will certainly notice some differences on the ice this season and that might leave you asking, what are those guys wearing? That's where the Icethetics Season Preview can help.

Yesterday we reviewed last season's NHL uniforms with a complete ranking as determined by Icethetics readers. Now, settle in for a week of detailed overviews of all that's aesthetically new and different around the hockey world in 2011.

Relocation, Expansion, Transfer & Termination

It's been a tumultuous summer across all levels of hockey. We've watched a lot of teams come and go. And unlike any other year in recent memory, this one captured the attention of — not just the hockey world — but an entire nation.

NHL: Atlanta Thrashers » Winnipeg Jets

On May 31, 2011 came the official announcement that the Atlanta Thrashers were over, sold to a group that wished to relocate a franchise to NHL-deprived Winnipeg, Manitoba. For the rest of the summer, questions were more common than answers.

Biggest, of course, was the name. Rumors abounded. The owners, True North Sports & Entertainment, wanted to keep the Manitoba Moose brand they'd built in the AHL, or maybe try a whole new identity, like the Bears. But in the end, the fans were the loudest voice. On June 25, the club's new management team took the stage at the NHL draft and claimed the first player for the Winnipeg Jets.

Immediately after it was prematurely leaked online, the Jets staged a last-minute press conference on July 22 to officially unveil their new logo. 

Finally on Sept. 6, the Jets revealed their official home and road uniforms for their inaugural season.

The logos and jerseys were met with mixed reaction, but how could they not be? Every Canadian hockey fan was watching and scrutinizing every decision. For True North, it was no simple task. It was the first relocation of an NHL team since the Whalers left Hartford for North Carolina in 1998.

As for the Thrashers, the team played 11 seasons in the NHL from 1999 until 2011. They outlasted Atlanta's previous NHL franchise by four years. The Flames were founded in 1972 and moved to Calgary in 1980.

AHL: Manitoba Moose » St. John's IceCaps

The ripple effects of the Thrashers' relocation to Winnipeg were felt far and wide throughout hockey. But the most immediate impact was felt by the AHL's Manitoba Moose, who were left with nowhere to play as the Jets commandeered the MTS Centre. True North, who also owned the Moose, decided to send them east.

On July 29, the official name and logos were unveiled for the St. John's IceCaps, beginning a new hockey legacy in Newfoundland.

It seems the Moose's existence has always been dictated by the presence of the NHL in Winnipeg.

The franchise was founded in 1994 as the Minnesota Moose of the International Hockey League, playing in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. After just two seasons, they moved to Winnipeg, filling a gap left by the original Jets, who relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1996. Then in 2001, the Moose became one of six IHL teams to be absorbed by the American Hockey League.

ECHL: Comings & Goings

Every year, the ECHL is the North American hockey league that endures the most change. This remains true in 2011 as the ECHL welcomes an expansion franchise, a transfer from another minor pro league, and sees the demise of its only Canadian-based club.

The Victoria Salmon Kings will not be returning for the 2011-12 season, ending one of the longest lineages in the ECHL. And believe it or not, their demise is due in part to the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers.

In late spring, rumors were rampant the NHL was headed to Winnipeg, displacing the AHL's Manitoba Moose. Everyone wondered where would they end up. One option was Victoria, British Columbia.

The Western Hockey League had its eye on that market since its Prince George Cougars moved out in 1994. Not wanting to risk losing it to the AHL, the Salmon Kings' owner purchased the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins and brought them to Victoria, folding his ECHL franchise.

That very franchise was a founding member of the East Coast Hockey League in 1988. But at the time, they played in Pennsylvania as the Erie Panthers. They moved to Louisiana in 1996, becoming the Baton Rouge Kingfish. After sitting out the 2003-04 season, the club returned as the Victoria Salmon Kings in 2004.

Only three of the ECHL's five original franchises remain in existence today, none of which are still playing where they started: Wheeling Nailers (Carolina Thunderbirds), Greenville Road Warriors (Johnstown Chiefs), and Utah Grizzlies (Virginia Lancers).

This fall, the Chicago Express join the ECHL for their inaugural season as an expansion franchise, filling a minor hockey gap left with the folding of the Chicago Hounds of the United Hockey League in 2009.

On Sept. 21, 2010, the Express unveiled their name, colors and logos to fans. Despite using iconic downtown Chicago imagery in their brand design, the team plays in Hoffman Estates, Ill., which is about 30 miles outside the city.

A name-the-team contest was held during the summer of 2010. The finalists included Chicago Blizzard, Hoffman Estates Hammers, Chicago Knights, and of course, Chicago Express. Online voting was conducted between July 22 and August 4.

The club revealed its jerseys in late May 2011. Apart from wearing white and blue home and road uniforms, the Express will sport a grey alternate jersey featuring their secondary logos.

On May 31 the ECHL approved expansion membership for the Colorado Eagles, who transferred from the Central Hockey League.

The Eagles play in Loveland, Colo., about 50 miles north of Denver, and were founded in 2003. During eight seasons in the CHL the Eagles never missed the playoffs. They won two league championships in five finals appearances.

The new club helps the ECHL fill wide geographical gap between Salt Lake City, Utah and Cincinnati, Ohio. With the addition of the Eagles, the ECHL opens the 2011-12 season with 20 teams competing.

Trenton Devils » Trenton Titans

After losing money on their ECHL venture, the New Jersey Devils announced on July 6 they were suspending operations of the Trenton Devils, a franchise they purchased and rebranded in 2007.

However, the community wasted no time in saving the franchise as new ownership took control and revived the fan-favorite Trenton Titans identity. Many were left disappointed by the Devils' decision to rename the club four years ago.

The franchise was originally founded in 1999 as the Trenton Titans. They won their only Kelly Cup championship in 2005 against the Florida Everblades.

CHL: Change in Bloomington

The Central Hockey League lost one of its franchises heading into the 2011-12 season as the Colorado Eagles were granted membership into the ECHL. But that's not the only big change in the CHL.

Bloomington PrairieThunder » Bloomington Blaze

Following their quick exit from the 2011 CHL playoffs, the Bloomington PrairieThunder promptly folded.

Soon after, the CHL granted an expansion franchise to new owners who would put a team back in Bloomington, Illinois.

Technically, the Bloomington Blaze join the CHL as an expansion franchise rather than a continuation of the PrairieThunder — but they do replace that franchise, playing home games in the same arena.

The Bloomington PrairieThunder were originally an expansion franchise founded in 2006 in the United Hockey League, which changed its name to the International Hockey League in 2007. Then in 2010, the IHL merged with the Central Hockey League where the PrairieThunder played only a single season before folding.

The CHL will be comprised of 14 teams for its 2011-12 campaign.

QMJHL: Crossing Rivers & Borders

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will look a little different heading into the new season, with one team relocating and another taking the year off before relocating.

Montreal Junior Hockey Club » Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

The QMJHL club with the most cumbersome will move and take on a new name that's just as cumbersome.

The Montreal Junior Hockey Club, based in Verdun, Quebec, moves across a pair of rivers to Boisbriand, Quebec to become the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada for the 2011-12 season. At least now you can just call them the Armada. Before, it was always awkward.

This is actually the second time this franchise has relocated. It was originally founded in 2005 as the St. John's Fog Devils in Newfoundland. The team moved to Quebec in 2008.

Elsewhere, the Q's only American-based franchise — in Lewiston, Maine — was purchased by the league this summer and shut down for the upcoming season.

According to the league, the Lewiston MAINEiacs will be resurrected to the start the 2012-13 season in Sherbrooke, Quebec — the very town from which it was moved in 2003.

The franchise itself is actually one of the QMJHL's oldest. The Trois-Rivieres Ducs were a founding member of the Q in 1969. They were renamed the Draveurs in 1973. In 1992, the club relocated to Sherbrooke and became the Faucons for six seasons. In 1998, the name was changed to Sherbrooke Castors. There's been no word yet from the league as to what the team will be called when it returns to action in Sherbrooke in 2012.

WHL: Staking Its Claim in Victoria

We wrap up the second day of the Icethetics Season Preview on the west coast. As mentioned earlier, upon witnessing the upheaval in the pro leagues, the Western Hockey League rushed to stake a claim in a city they've wanted to take back for 17 years.

Chilliwack Bruins » Victoria Royals

On April 20, the Chilliwack Bruins were sold and relocated to Victoria, British Columbia.

Immediately, the new ownership launched a name-the-team contest. The online poll included Victoria Capitals, Royals, Dragons, Force, Tide and Thunder. Ultimately, Victoria Royals was selected and announced as the team's new name on June 21. 

Along with the name, the Royals also unveiled their logo and dark uniform, which is based on the Tampa Bay Lightning's blue third jersey. The white sweater debuted when the Royals hit the ice on September 26.

The franchise was founded in 2006 as the Chilliwack Bruins, but when the AHL's Abbotsford Heat moved to the area in 2009, it led to a diminished interest in the WHL club, paving the way for its relocation.

I think that about covers Part 2 of the Icethetics Season Preview 2011. Here's what's on deck:

  • Part 3: New Logos Around the Minors
  • Part 4: New Logos Around the NHL
  • Part 5: The Final Edition of NHL JerseyWatch 2011
  • Part 6: Tributes & More

Icethetics Season Preview 2011, Part 1

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Before we look ahead to the new season, it's worth taking a brief look back. Over the past several months, Icethetics has been conducting a series of polls asking readers to rate all of the 90 uniforms worn in the NHL during the 2010-11 season. Now here they are, in the order you chose, from best to worst:

NHL Uniform Ranking 2010-11

Icethetics Playoffs Preview 2011

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I'm sure I echo most hockey fans when I tell you this is undoubtedly my favorite time of year. I love the Stanley Cup Playoffs — whether my team is in them or not. So much drama and excitement. 

But typically, blog content dries up and I can't be bothered to peel myself away from the TV long enough to care (and now I even have CBC games!). Of course, the playoffs haven't started yet and I need to entertain myself. I don't know how Icethetics "previews" the playoffs, as it's never happened before, but that won't stop me from trying. So forgive me if I start to ramble.

Who's wearing third jerseys?

Obviously the first thing everyone wants to know: Which teams are wearing their dark third jerseys at home for the playoffs? Since the Age of Reebok, the NHL has frowned upon any team sporting more than two uniforms during the playoffs. Not sure why.

Last year the Los Angeles Kings wore the black third jersey throughout their postseason run (all of one round) — a decision supposedly made by the players. I have every reason to believe they'll do it again this year, especially considering it is supposed to become the home uniform in 2011-12.

Speaking of next season, we're all familiar with the rebranding the Tampa Bay Lightning are undergoing. Because the blue BOLTS alternate jersey is the only one of the current set that will carry over, it sort of makes sense they'll wear it this postseason. But there's been not confirmation of that yet.

One team that has confirmed intentions to wear their thirds in the 2011 playoffs is the San Jose Sharks — who did so via Facebook this week. Though it should be noted that technically they said, "Taking a lead from what the players wanted, the Sharks will wear their black jerseys when the playoffs open."

You could take that to mean they'll only wear it for the opening game then switch back to teal, but I doubt it. I think the NHL would disapprove. By the way, that brings us back to the Kings. It seems both teams will wear their black alternates in their quarterfinals series. How dull. But if it's "what the players wanted..."

The only other team I think may do the third jersey thing in these playoffs is the Boston Bruins. I may not like it, but it is popular amongst the fans. The sweater in question has been all over their playoff marketing, especially on their website. Could just be promotional, could be a subtle hint.

As for the rest, the Capitals, Flyers, Canadiens, and Red Wings are all without third jerseys. The Sabres just re-retro-branded (that's what I'm calling it). The Penguins' third is too polarizing. The Coyotes' and Ducks' alts are too blah (biting critique, I know). And the Blackhawks and Rangers are Original Six, and like all the NHL ads say, history will be made. Neither of these teams would be caught dead carrying the Cup in anything but those historic, classic threads. (Nor would we want that.)

That just leaves Nashville and Vancouver. And you know what? I wouldn't mind seeing either the Canucks or Predators in their thirds for the playoffs. Guess we'll find out for sure this week.

Cups by jersey era

The important stuff now dealt with, I asked what you guys what else should be in the "preview" post. Via Twitter on Monday, @NateBrowntown asked, "If tampa wins this year, it's 2 jersey eras, 2 cups. Any other teams that have won a cup for each jersey style?”

Indeed, the Lightning have only redesigned their uniforms once — in 2007. The team won the Cup in 2004 with the original design (except for the number style which changed frequently from 1992 to 2001). This is their last chance to win it before starting a third "jersey era" next season.

But Nate's question is a hard one to answer — whether any team has "won a Cup for each jersey style." All these uniform changes — it's really a recent development born from the marketing world along with the need to sell tickets and pay players millions of dollars.

But instantly Montreal comes to mind. The Canadiens have basically worn the same uniform since the 1920s. And they've won a Stanley Cup in every decade except the 2000s. Like the Habs, the Red Wings have hardly changed their uniform design since the 1930s. They've won 11 Cups since 1936.

The Anaheim Ducks have had two distinct uniform eras with the rebrand that came in 2006. In the first, they made it to the Stanley Cup Final (2003) and in the second, then won it all (2007). The Hurricanes have had only one uniform set since moving to North Carolina in 1997. They won the Cup with it in 2006. The Whalers never did.

The New Jersey Devils began life in 1982 with a red/green color scheme. When they swapped the green for black in 1992, they started winning championships — in 1995, 2000 and 2003. There are so many little things like this you could go on forever. But I'm ready to move on.

Playoff marketing ploys

Another tweeter called @Bazurkk asked, "What [do] teams put on the towels or t-shirts handed out to fans pre-game?"

Obviously I can't answer that myself. I don't even live in an NHL city. But I post the question here so those of you who do can answer. How is your team promoting itself? I know Phoenix and Pittsburgh are going the "White Out" route. The Lightning have a T-shirt with a dumb slogan that says "Hunt It Now." What else is out there? Add it to the comments.

A Retrospective gallery

Nate's question earlier got me thinking. Which NHL uniforms have actually skated around with the Stanley Cup? It can't be that many, can it? So I tracked down some photos. This gallery of grail-lifting captains goes back 15 years.

And let me point out that the winning jersey has alternated between darks and whites every three years like clockwork going back to 1998. This means in 2011, we're due for a dark (home) jersey win. (In 2003-04, the NHL switched the whites from home to road.) Prior to Detroit taking the chalice at Mellon Arena, the Stanley Cup champion claimed their prize on home ice for six consecutive seasons starting in 2001.

The one other thing I wanted to point out is how the reflective surface of the polished Cup seems to take on the colors of the winning team. That's just flat out cool.

Jonathan Toews / 2010 Sidney Crosby / 2009 Nicklas Lidstrom / 2008

Scott Niedermayer / 2007 Rod Brind'Amour / 2006 Dave Andreychuk / 2004

Scott Stevens / 2003 Steve Yzerman / 2002 Joe Sakic / 2001

Scott Stevens / 2000 Derian Hatcher / 1999 Steve Yzerman / 1998

Steve Yzerman / 1997 Joe Sakic / 1996

Jersey Competition Once we know which jerseys each team is wearing, I'll set up a few polls asking which jersey is better in each series. We'll see if those results are able to accurately predict the winners. But I think that's all I have for now.