Icethetics Season Preview, Part VI

Now more than a week into the regular season, I'm not so sure this still qualifies as a "preview" anymore. But it required a lot of research and for each team to have played at least a handful of games. Why? Part 6 of the Icethetics Season Preview is new goalie masks!

Let's dive in, starting with the biggest and most controversial. Martin Brodeur. The man has worn the same mask design for nearly his entire career — until this season. And he only made one change.

The devil design culled from the New Jersey Devils' logo has been on his head for years. This year it's been replaced by a stylized MB30 to promote his new web site.

Still, Brodeur has one of the classic mask designs left in the league. And speaking of classic, Dwayne Roloson and Mathieu Garon will have special masks and equipment for games in which the Oilers' wear their third jersey this season.

Below you can see pictures of Garon's new regular and vintage masks along with Dwayne Roloson's new Grant Fuhr-inspired retro mask.




And while we're on third jerseys, Cam Ward has updated his mask to go with the Hurricanes' new third jersey.



He's even got the new black and grey shoulder patch logo on the back of his helmet.

Some goalies got new masks because they got new teams, like Alex Auld, Andrew Raycroft, Olaf Kolzig, Cristobal Huet and Patrick Lalime.



Some stayed with their teams but got new masks anyway, like Rick DiPietro, Martin Gerber, Miikka Kiprusoff, Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist.



Curtis Sanford let the fans redesign his mask. And Peter Budaj just likes The Hulk.



The other big one is Roberto Luongo whose design really hasn't changed, but he did add that captain's C to the chin. I posted a picture yesterday.

That's really all I thought were worth pointing out. If you think there are others, email me pictures and I'll add them to the post. In the meantime, here's that list I was telling you about.

If I missed anybody, let me know and send a picture so I can add them. And as you may have noticed, I'm not counting rookie goalies. I'm just talking about established goalies with mask changes.

And so officially ends the Icethetics Season Preview. Hopefully we'll do it all again next October!

Third Jersey Leak Tonight

During tonight's Live Chat right here at Icethetics, I'll be leaking a brand new third jersey we haven't yet seen. And since we've already seen third jerseys for 11 of the 18 teams unveiling them, that leaves just seven more.

In the poll to the right, cast your vote as to which sweater you think it'll be. I'm kind of curious to see what the consensus is. Do you think it'll be the Stars, Kings, Islanders, Senators, Coyotes, Penguins or Sharks? It will be one of them and I'm really excited about it and I think most of you will like it.

So vote and then come back tonight at 10 PM eastern (that's 9 central, 8 mountain and 7 pacific). I know it's Saturday and that usually means game night, but if you're like me, you're stuck at home anyway watching hockey on TV. (Hopefully the Lightning don't plan to go 0-5 to start the season.)

By the way. Check back shortly. Part 6 of the Icethetics Season Preview will be posted tonight!

Another Third Jersey Leak?

I've scheduled a Live Chat for Saturday night at 10 PM EDT for those of you who can make it. And this time I have something to tantalize you with. I'll be showcasing a leaked image of yet another highly anticipated third jersey. And let me assure you it'll be worth the wait.

Which team is it? That'll be a surprise. But I will tell you it's one of the teams whose jersey we haven't seen yet. Could it be the Stars, Kings, Islanders, Senators, Coyotes, Penguins or Sharks?

Be here at Icethetics Saturday night at 10 to find out and be the first to see it!

Sun Picks Up Canucks Third

Icethetics and the leaked picture of the Canucks' new third jersey has made it to the home page of the Vancouver Sun this afternoon. Check it out! And here's the full story.

I spoke with the Sun's sports editor earlier today and he told me folks in Vancouver get really pumped over stuff like this. So I was happy to provide a non-watermarked image to them.



For those in Vancouver, I'm told the image may be appearing in print tomorrow. So keep an eye out for it and be sure to buy a copy of the paper!

Helmets Fighting Cancer

A couple of people wrote in asking about the stickers appearing on the backs of players' helmets. Since the Vancouver Canucks seem to be a hot topic as of late, I'll use them in my example.

For most teams, players are wearing two decals on the backs of their helmets. On the right, the NHL shield and on the left a square logo you can only make out up close. It's the Hockey Fights Cancer logo. However, for the Canucks, they're wearing both decals on the right side while they wear a tribute decal for Luc Bourdon on the left.



That's the back side of Alex Burrows, demonstrating this quite nicely. Goalie Roberto Luongo isn't bothering with the NHL shield but he does have the HFC and LB decals on the back of his mask.



And while we're on the subject of Luongo, he's either got a second mask or he repainted it to make the C on the chin white instead of blue.



Luongo was named captain of the Canucks but league rules prevent him from wearing the C on his chest.

Back to helmets for a moment. A couple other readers noticed that the Dallas Stars have made some modifications to the logo on theirs.

The green star within the gold star appears to have gone away in exchange for a large gold star on the black helmets.



Meanwhile, I can't tell if the star on the white helmets is still green or has been switched to black. Not enough good photos out there. But many have asked whether this is a sign of things to come in Dallas. Will the green go away completely, forever severing ties with the North Stars? I sure hope not.

By the way, the wait is almost over for Part 6 of the Icethetics Season Preview. It's coming this weekend.

Icethetics on TV!

Vancouverites, I need your help!

I understand Icethetics was mentioned briefly during Sportsnet Connected Pacific with regard to the Vancouver Canucks' third jersey leak I posted the other day. I'd love it if someone could post that clip or at least send it to me. So scour those TiVo's or set them to record if the show gets aired again overnight. If you've got it, I'll be forever indebted to you!

Thanks to Shane and Trevor for letting me know about Icethetics' special TV appearance.

AHL Third Jersey Update, Part 3

Part 1 • Part 2

In my continuing effort to expand Icethetics beyond the NHL, I have a few more tidbits on third jerseys in the American Hockey League — with a nod to my buddy Mike for helping out with the research. We'll start in Binghamton.

This is kind of a funny story actually. I first reported on the B-Sens last month when an interest not-so-new logo cropped up. Did some investigating and determined it was a one-time deal a couple years ago.

Now that story's changing. Could that logo be on the new third jersey for the Binghamton Senators?



Mike, who shot this picture, tells me he's "seen it in photos on a black third jersey. But [it] looks like they have made the switch from the 'big chin' logo to that third logo on their away jerseys. I'm not sure about there home ones."

So this is a case where I'm not sure whether we're looking at a third jersey or a new logo on a regular dark jersey. Sorry to leave this one so open ended.

The Rockford IceHogs are taking the lead from their NHL affiliate, the Chicago Blackhawks, for their new third jersey. And by taking the lead, I mean copying almost exactly.

Here it is, in all its pork chop glory.



Shoulder patches are different though. Guess the Indian head just wouldn't go with the whole look. Pig gnawing on a hockey stick, etc.

Finally, the Lake Erie Monsters will allegedly have a black alternate sweater this season. No pictures at this point, though. But Mike's on the case.

He writes, "I was on the message boards for the Lake Erie Monsters. I came across a thread about their thirds for the upcoming year. Two people on there said that a photo was passed around and described it a little. It’s not too informative but I was looking around and then I remembered the Avs' Rbk [EDGE] jersey. It seems to fit the bill. So I made this concept based on the Avs' jersey. I think it looks sweet in black."



So there you have it. And as always, should any more news come my way, I will continue to use Icethetics as a proper dispersal device.

By the way, my apologies on the lack of updates the last two days. I've just been absolutely slammed with other work. But not to worry, I have big plans for Icethetics and a big change is coming. I know Icethetics has only existed for four months (technically), but it's about to get so much better. Even I'm excited about it! I can't wait to tell you all about it.

NHL.com Shop Promoting Thirds

I'm not sure how newsworthy this is, but the NHL.com Shop is now advertising third jerseys. The unveiled sweaters have been available for pre-order for a little while already but now they're actually being advertised.



Smart, putting the two best ones in the ad.