Freak Out Friday XLIV

The first legitimate Freak Out Friday in nearly three months isn't even getting posted on a Friday. But I promised you guys I'd have something, so rather than waiting a week, here it is.

Obviously I have to start with something that was printed in the Vancouver Sun around the time of the Canucks' third jersey release. The newspaper asked kids to create an alternate jersey for their Canucks — and wait until you see them.

I don't mean to make fun of the kids so much as those of you that like to belittle professional artwork that isn't to your particular taste by saying it looks like a 5-year-old made it. These were made by 8- and 10-year-olds. Yeah.

But since we're on the subject, you guys like any of these for a future alternate or one-off sweater?

Only got a few more items tonight. The Icethetics cup doesn't exactly runneth over in quality Freak Out art these days, despite the public outcry for it.

I like this one, particularly because I've always been a fan of that king head logo. As much as he may look like the creepy Burger King mascot, I just feel like it's the next best representation of a team called the Kings.

Second obviously to a crown. That pretty much goes without saying.

The fact that it's on a playing card — I'm surprised something like this hasn't shown up in my inbox sooner. But this is quality work nevertheless.

I even think we could've gone with all the extra colors you see on an actual card. And throw a few suits in there for good measure.

But let's move on. The Pittsburgh Penguins are the next topic of discussion.

Sometimes a revamped logo works. Sometimes, well, I'm not one to make generalizations about the sexual preferences of penguins — but this one is so gay.

He's got the little scarf, the small but toned muscular arms, puffed up chest and absurdly skinny waist. He's even got that look like he knows I'm talking about him and doesn't like it one bit.

No disrespect to the designer or anything, of course. Just some random observations.

The last two things I have for you are photographs. One you'll quickly notice is doctored to prove a point. The other you'll wish was.

Ever get the feeling the Thrashers' third jersey looks out of place on the ice? Wonder where it belongs? Wonder no more.

I've never seen that sweater look more at home.

And finally, Sens fans, there may well be something you didn't know about Anton Volchenkov and Jason Spezza.

I think Volchenkov's face pretty much says it all.

And I'll leave you with that tonight. That visual. Try to sleep now, suckers.

Catching Up With The Minors

I've taken on a pair of minor league correspondents on a trial basis to keep Icethetics readers up to date on the state of the AHL and ECHL. Writing for the AHL is James and for the ECHL Yancy.

First, James' update. He writes in to say the AHL's all-star jerseys are now available in the league's online store.

Here, you can see the Canadian sweater...

...and here PlanetUSA's.

Not much to speak of but there they are.

Yancy writes in with news from the ECHL. On January 3, the Florida Everblades and Charlotte Checkers participated in an NHL jersey night. The clubs wore the sweaters of their respective big league affiliates.

© Al Larson Photo

Above you can see Danick Bouchard in a Hurricanes sweater and Julien Brouillette donning Rangers duds. The photo comes from Everblades team photographer Al Larson. 

Yancy points out that this gives 'Canes fans an opportunity to see what their team might look like in black pants. An unusual sight, to be sure. If you're interested in buying yourself one of Everblades/Hurricanes jerseys, the team is holding an online auction that runs through January 15.

My thanks to James and Yancy for keeping us updated. I hope to have news items from them at least once a week.

Speechless...

Hey guys. Had a chance to read some of the comments for the first time in weeks. A little speechless. I've been running this site in some form nonstop for nearly two years without a break. I think one was in order. Planning to get back into the swing of things soon. In the meantime, bear with me a little.

There's no news right now and concept submissions are few and far between as of late. I don't know what you'd like me to post. Plus, whoever said I have the attention span of a gnat got it right on. I'm usually involved in all sorts of projects at any given moment and I'm surprised I've run this site for as long as I have. Anyway, no need to go on about it.

I have a special Freak Out Friday post for you tomorrow. We'll start logo ratings for the final division of the IceHL this weekend before moving into the next phase of that project. And Featured Artists, Logo & Uniform Histories and so on as time permits.

I've also got some minor league correspondents who I'll be taking on to provide a more well-rounded look at North American hockey. Should see something from them here in the morning.

Icethetics Is Not Dead

Hi there. Nice to see you're still with us. Icethetics is not dead.

I really want to apologize for the total lack of updates to the site lately. Frankly, there hasn't been an awful lot going on and I've been extremely busy working on other things. I'm hoping to be able to devote more of my time back to Icethetics and improve things very soon.

I'm working with an artist right now to set up the beginnings of the Logo & Uniform History section of the site. I hope to be able to launch that soon and then get back into the swing of things. New tournaments, Featured Artist pages, that blasted third jersey ranking I've been promising for months, and so on.

Quick bit of news. A reader sent in this image of the Houston Aeros' new green third jersey.

He wonders whether we might see the Wild in something similar next season. It's certainly possible. From what we've heard, they have been talking about adding a green sweater to the collection.

By the way, if you plan on watching the Winter Classic tomorrow, don't forget about the Lost Logo Challenge.

Update on Wednesday · Dec 31 · 2008 | 1:46 PM PST by Chris

Sorry, Chris, but I've gotta correct an AHL post again. That Aeros jersey is neither new nor a third jersey, It's their away jersey, as it has been since 2005-06 (only the cut has changed to Edge).

Hope you aren't insulted by this, but I think you should do some more research about AHL-realted things before you post them. You seem to frequently get things incorrect when you post about the AHL.

—Alex Gerwitz

Fair enough! No, I'm not insulted. In fact I'm not even surprised. While the jersey may neither be new nor a third, my point still stands in suggesting it would make a nice addition to the Wild's set.

Thanks for checking my facts. At least somebody here pays attention to what's going on in the AHL. Anyone, insterested in being an AHL correspondent? ECHL correspondent?

If so, email me (don't leave a comment or I may not see it). Let me know why you're qualified to report on the minor leagues and what sort of writing/blogging experience you have. Obviously, I could use some new team members to keep Icethetics fresh!

Avs To Don Third Next Year?

Will the Colorado Avalanche join the third jersey ranks beginning next fall? Denver Post writer Adrian Dater seems to think so. 

In his Avs Mailbag column on the newspaper's web site, Dater responds to a question about the team's lack of a third jersey by straight up saying they'll wear one next season.

I see many teams in the NHL taking out their third jerseys. And maybe I missed something, but I do not think I've seen the third Avalanche jersey this year. Do the Avs have one? I think the Nordiques' light blue jerseys would look stunning. 
—Milan, Slovakia

The Avs will not wear a third jersey this season. There are a lot of logistical issues with teams wearing them, more than you might think. So, that's partly why they aren't wearing them this year. It creates more logistics for the visiting team.

The Avs say they will wear them again next season. And, yes, I agree it would be nice to incorporate some kind of Quebec connection on them — although I wouldn't go so far as to wear their pure light blue old colors.

That being said, I would be surprised to see them return to the burgundy sweater from several years ago with COLORADO angled across the chest. If they do introduce a new sweater for 2009, it'll likely be something entirely new.

Calgary and Minnesota have already confirmed plans for a third jersey next year. I'm just hoping the Rangers will join them.