Panthers 3rd Leaked!

That didn't take long. Remember how yesterday I said the Florida Panthers' new third jersey seemed leak-proof? Yeah, that's not true anymore.

Uni Watch, of all places, posted this sneak peek at the new threads.

Sneak peek at the Florida Panthers new third jersey

I was prepared to be disappointed by Florida this year, but based on this sliver of an image, I am only impressed. It feels somewhat like a carbon copy of the Blues' third jersey, which debuted last year, but I do like that jersey. Hopefully it can differentiate itself enough to stand out.

Looking forward to November 23 — the official launch date!

Update on Wednesday · Nov 11 · 2009 | 9:58 AM PST by Chris

Just did a quick bit of extra research. The image above actually comes directly from the Florida Panthers. It's true. 

Check out the banner across the top of the web page that reads "Don't Be Left in the Dark." It's actually an interactive flash animation. If you look to the right you'll see a circle next to where it says "Sneak Peak [sic]." Just drag that circle around and it "shines a light" on the jersey.

Avs, Cats 3rds Just Days Away

At last! Third jersey news is upon us! The final two from this year's class of third jerseys will be unveiled before the end of the month — the official word from both the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers. 

The Avs' unveiling is happening fast — on Thursday actually. According to new information posted on their web site today, Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny will be on hand to model the new alternate sweaters at a press conference.

Then on Saturday the jerseys will make their on-ice debut when the Avalanche host the Canucks. Here's the excerpt from the site regarding the big event.

Third Jersey Update

With the help of assistant captains Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny, the Colorado Avalanche will officially unveil the team’s new third jersey on Thursday, Nov. 12. The Avs will then wear the third sweater for the first time on Saturday, Nov. 14 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Check back to ColoradoAvalanche.com on Thursday afternoon for more information, including photos from the unveiling.

For sure I'll be watching that game thanks to my new NHL GameCenter account. Seriously guys, I've never wasted so much time as I have since I started having every NHL game readily available to me.

If you want a sneak peek before Thursday, Icethetics has posted a few leaked images. If you want to be surprised, don't click that link.

Thanks to Dayle and Devin for forwarding along some of the details on the Avs' third.

If you're a Florida Panthers fan, you'll have to wait a little bit longer. Yours is the only team that hasn't endured a real leak of some kind. But the wait will be over come Monday, November 23.

That night the Cats will take to the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their brand new alternate uniforms. Or so says their official web site at least, where they're offering fans a chance to pre-order the new jersey now.

However, they've also dropped a little teaser on that page.

That logo in the background seems to be yet another new Panthers mark for the 2009-10 season.

Some other observations: For one thing, it seems like a safe bet the new third will be blue — sad since the home jersey is already blue. It's been rumored the Cats will go with a template similar to the Wild's red home jersey and from this image, it appears they're joining the Predators in launching a simplified version of their primary logo. (It's missing its whiskers too!)

The release doesn't go so far as to say whether there will be an unveiling of any kind — or if the unveiling will just be the guys skating out onto the ice in the new threads. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks to Ben and Darren for sending along the Panthers' info.

Within the next two weeks, all will be revealed. Just wanted to keep you guys up to date with where we stand.

And of course, count on Icethetics for photos of the Avs jersey on Thursday.

Blues, Kings 3rd Jersey Skeds

Several teams have their third jersey schedules posted on their web sites. With the help of you, the readers, I've been trying to compile them all here in the sidebar calendar. Thanks to Icethetics reader Allan, we have two more teams to add to the list.

The St. Louis Blues, who introduced their new alternate sweater last fall, will wear it for 15 home games this season. In fact, we already missed the first two times — this past Saturday included.

Anyway, here's the full schedule for your enjoyment.

• Saturday, Oct. 10 - vs Los Angeles
• Saturday, Oct. 24 - vs Dallas
• Saturday, Oct. 31 - vs Florida
• Saturday, Nov. 14 - vs San Jose
• Saturday, Nov. 21 - vs NY Islanders
• Saturday, Nov. 28 - vs Detroit
• Friday, Dec. 11 - vs Edmonton
• Friday, Dec. 18 - vs Tampa Bay
• Saturday, Jan. 2 - vs Chicago
• Saturday, Jan. 16 - vs NY Rangers
• Saturday, Jan. 23 - vs Anaheim
• Saturday, Jan. 30 - vs Columbus
• Saturday, Feb. 6 - vs Chicago
• Saturday, Feb. 13 - vs Washington
• Saturday, Apr. 3 - vs Dallas

Basically, if you're a Blues fan and you want to catch them in the third jersey, just buy tickets to a Saturday game and you're good to go.

The Los Angeles Kings also have their third jersey schedule listed on their web site and like the Blues, introduced the new sweater last season. It was worn 12 times in 2008-09 and will see action for 15 home contests in 2009-10.

The full schedule is listed below.

• Tuesday, Oct. 6 - vs San Jose
• Thursday, Oct. 22 - vs Dallas
• Thursday, Nov. 5 - vs Pittsburgh
• Thursday, Dec. 10 - vs Phoenix
• Saturday, Dec. 12 - vs Dallas
• Saturday, Jan. 2 - vs Washington
• Monday, Jan. 11 - vs San Jose
• Thursday, Jan. 14 - vs Anaheim
• Tuesday, Jan. 19 - vs San Jose
• Tuesday, Feb. 2 - vs NY Rangers
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 - vs Anaheim
• Saturday, Mar. 6 - vs Montreal
• Saturday, Mar. 27 - vs Dallas
• Saturday, Apr. 3 - vs Anaheim
• Thursday, Apr. 8 - vs Phoenix

For the Kings, the third will see action on mostly Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and will primarily see divisional opponents. Anaheim, San Jose and Dallas will all face the Kings alternate sweater every time they visit L.A. this season.

Avs 3rd Leaked (Again... Sort of)

Received an interesting photo this afternoon. I'm not sure what to make of it. It appears to be a cell picture of the new Colorado Avalanche third jersey hanging in a sporting goods store.

Couple of problems with it thought. First, take a look, then I'll give you my thoughts. The photo comes from an anonymous Icethetics reader.

Possible Avs third jersey?

First off, the collar proves this is not an authentic or premier Reebok Edge jersey. I'd go short of calling it on a knock-off since there does appear to be a rack full of them. My bet is it's a youth jersey.

Take a look at the NHL Shop and you'll see that the collars on the kids' jerseys get a different treatment across the board.

Example of Reebok Edge youth jersey

It looks fairly close to what we see in the Avs photo above. But aside from that, the design is exactly what's been rumored in all the computer-generated mock-ups that Icethetics has posted.

As for this photo in particular, the email simply said it was from a "shop in Colorado." No specifics. (Also, it was taken with a BlackBerry.)

More or less, I say this is what the Avalanche will take to the ice wearing in a few weeks when they officially debut their alternate sweater. What do you guys think?

(By the way, I know a promised concepts for my next post, but this was actual news! You'll get concepts before the weekend is out. More than you can handle.)

On the Ice, Nothing's Scarier

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!