IceHL Southeast: Final Names

The final names for the IceHL's Southeast Division are in! Hundreds of you made your voice heard by rating the finalists for each franchise. So here are the winners.

• Atlanta ARSENAL
  average rating 3.19/5 by 443 people


• Baltimore BLUE CRABS
  average rating 3.4/5 by 429 people


• North Carolina NIGHTHAWKS
  average rating 3.83/5 by 448 people


• Tampa Bay BARRACUDAS
  average rating 3.79/5 by 412 people


• Washington SENTINELS
  average rating 2.95/5 by 309 people

It's a little odd to see such similar names as Winterhawks and Nighthawks along with Hellcats and Steelcats. But I've been leaving these decisions up to you guys so there it is.

Based on these names, your task — should you choose to accept it — is to brand the franchise. You choose the color scheme and design primary, secondary and script logos around that. Additional logos may or may not be included in the voting process.

Submit your logo art by email to me at icethetics@gmail.com. Do not post links to artwork in the comments. They will be deleted and not considered for use in this project. I'm also outlining guidelines for submissions below. If you don't follow them, your work will probably not be included.

Southeast logo submission deadline: November 15

If you want your submission included, follow these instructions:

• DO NOT STEAL ARTWORK. Logos copied or adapted from professional trademarked logos will not be permitted.


• Submit three (3) logos: primary, secondary and script. Use a white background. If your logo requires a white outline (think Lightning or Capitals), then use a gray background with the white outline included. ALL 3 LOGOS will be used in the voting process. If you leave out one, your work may be disqualified.


• Submit vector art if possible. I will accept .ai, .psd and .pdf files. If you cannot submit vector art, you must be able to provide high quality images in .jpg or .png files ONLY. All other file types may be disqualified.


• You must include your credit within the graphic itself as well as the email. This can be your real name or a pseudonym. I need them in both places so I can easily search my email to find your artwork and email address. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.


• By submitting your own original artwork to any Icethetics email address, you agree to grant permission of its use for online or print publication by Icethetics. Do not watermark your logos or they will be disqualified.


• No jersey concepts, please. That will be a later step in this process.

I tried to be specific here but I'm happy to answer any additional questions you may have via email. I was very clear about this but keep in mind that if you do not properly follow the instructions above, your work will likely be disqualified. So read them carefully.

Just so everyone is aware, when it comes time to choose a logo for each team, the process will work basically the same as the name ratings. Logo rating pages will be posted for each team and up to 20 logo submissions will be available to rate. I'm sorry I can't include more but this assures that all worthy submissions will get a fair shake.

The difference here is that once the rating period has ended, there will be a vote on Icethetics of the top 3 rated logos for each team. This assures that we choose the logo everyone wants.

Start submitting your logos!

Era Of Change For Hockey Uniforms

There's an article in today's Newsday talking about the lack of originality in hockey uniforms over the last several years. The column, written by Mark Herrmann, comes a day before the New York Islanders are scheduled to reveal their new third jersey.

It's an interesting enough read for anyone who's a fan of Icethetics. But the cool thing is Icethetics gets a mention and I'm even quoted in the piece. But give it a read and see what you think.

And try to look past the first paragraph which mentions the Blackhawks winning the THN logo tournament. It was actually the Canadiens, but the point about red taking over the league still stands.

By the way guys, I just wanted to address the lack of posts this weekend. Not only did I have a lot of plans, but I've been hard at work on the new Icethetics web site and all that goes with that. Hopefully all of this work will pay off and you guys will appreciate Icethetics' new home. We'll even have our own domain and everything like so many of you have been asking for!

I plan to make an announcement some time this week so keep checking back.

Winter Classic Jerseys Unveiled!

So did I fool anybody with my last post?

Tonight, the Winter Classic 2009 jerseys for the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings were unveiled. Each team will be wearing a special one-time only throwback sweater for the New Year's Day game. Have a look!



The Detroit Red Wings jersey — as modeled above by Chris Chelios — is a replica of the original Detroit Cougars jersey from 1926. In 1930, the Cougars became the Falcons and two years after that the Red Wings moniker was adopted.

The Chicago Blackhawks sweater — modeled by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane — made its original debut in 1935 but with a slightly different version of the Indian head logo. In the 700 meetings prior to the Winter Classic between these two teams, never have these two jerseys taken the ice at the same time — just another reason why this game will be special.

I've got a much better picture of the two jerseys here. You can see Bobby Hull there modeling the Hawks' new sweater.



As more pictures surface, I'll be sure to post them.

On Deck For Super Saturday

This is going to be quite a night. For one thing, it's what the NHL is calling "Super Saturday" — all 30 teams have games today. But there's some other stuff going on.

First, we've got the unveiling of the new Winter Classic jerseys tonight during the Red Wings-Blackhawks game — which will be broadcast locally on FSN Detroit and WGN-TV in Chicago. I'm also assuming the teams will have pictures or video posted on their web site at some point tonight or tomorrow.

As soon as there's something to post, I'll have it right here on Icethetics.

But we have a few hours, so why not speculate? Turning now to one of the best hockey sites on the web for some visual assistance — NHLUniforms.com. My honest opinion is they'll go with the 1991-92 throwbacks.




Classy... obnoxious... you know the drill. But a random message board post — which I can't vouch for the veracity of — suggests these as the subject of alternative speculation.




It would certainly be an interesting choice for both teams and nothing to sneeze at but that isn't even a Red Wings jersey. It belonged to the Detroit Cougars. In any case we'll know for sure tonight. Hope those of you that can watch will report back.

I also wanted to mention Thursday's Canucks post again. The date referenced in that video is tonight. And after reading all the comments and other message board posts elsewhere, I'm among those convinced this viral promotion has to do with the fans and possible the return in some form of the 7th Man campaign.

I mean the answer to all of the questions in that video is "the fans." So it makes sense. Now, having said that I'm still not discounting the possibility of a third jersey unveiling. That would be a nice gift to the fans, I'm sure. So those in attendance tonight at GM Place can report back and I'll spread the word here.

So besides, Danny Boyle bitterly returning to Tampa in a new sweater, anything else going on tonight around the league?

Pretty In Pink

I know it's for a good cause, but this amuses me. A handful of hockey teams are donning special pink jerseys in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month — which is October.

The AHL's Portland Pirates will wear this uniforms tonight when the face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.



You can even get one of your own. Detail on their web site.

The QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads wore these last night as they got blasted 7-1.




Like I said, it's a good cause but it just looks so funny.

If you guys know of any other teams that have worn pink jerseys this month or have plans to, send me pictures and I'll add them to this post.

Winter Classic Jerseys To Be Unveiled

The Winter Classic 2009 jerseys will be unveiled on Saturday night when the Chicago Blackhawks face the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center. The announcement was made this morning on the Hawks' official web site.

The unveiling will take place during the broadcast of the game tomorrow night on WGN-TV and FSN Detroit. I'm sure pictures will be posted online by both teams. If anyone can record the unveiling and post it on YouTube, I'd be happy to put your video here on Icethetics — that's assuming the teams don't beat you to it.

So anyway, remember how I told you yesterday I'd have Winter Classic news I'd get back to you on? Well there it is. I was just waiting for some confirmation before posting and now we've got it.

I'm also still working on that Penguins news. Basically, it sounds like their new third jersey might not look exactly like what they wore at last year's Winter Classic. Close, but not exact. I'll get you more when I have it.

Isles Prep For New Jersey

Hmm, that would've been a better pun if the New York Islanders had a game against the Devils in the next week or so. Instead, it's not even a pun. I'm obviously talking about their new alternate uniform.

First thing I have to address is the countdown in the sidebar. Surprisingly, I've gotten more than a few emails asking why Icethetics has a countdown of 4 days while the Isles' official web site has a countdown of 9 days to the new third jersey. The answer is simple. I'm counting down to the day the jersey will be unveiled to fans. The team's site is counting down to the day the sweater makes its game debut — five days later. Hope that clears some things up.

Speaking of which, Newsday's Greg Logan is reminding us that the Islanders will in fact unveil their new sweaters on Monday and he got a look a new royal blue helmet.

The Islanders are going to unveil their third jersey on Monday. First to see it will be the members of the Islanders Business Club who attend the meeting scheduled that evening before the Isles meet the Rangers for the first time this season at the Coliseum. Then, the jersey will be displayed for fans during the course of that game.

The first time the Islanders actually wear their new uniforms will be on Saturday, Nov. 1 against Montreal. They will wear them at all subsequent Saturday home games. Including the Canadiens game, there are 13 such dates.

I happened to see the helmet yesterday, and it’s a switch back to the traditional royal blue of the classic Islanders jersey. In the past, I heard the third jersey would be the same as the ones the team wore two seasons ago that had orange numbers. But that might not be the case. The Isles might go all the way back to their roots to wear the original blue jersey with white numerals. That was the “road” jersey way back when. But we’ll have to wait a couple days to find out for sure.

If you recall, last week I pointed out that the team's web site was saying the thirds will be entirely new which seems to indicate they won't be rehashing the past. However, everything I've read and seen seems to indicate Logan is on the money here.

I'm betting on a classic vintage look with the same logo and everything. But like he says, we'll find out for sure in a few days.

By the way, I've got some possible Winter Classic and Penguins third jersey scoop. I'll do some more research and get back to you.

Watch The Canucks' Cryptic Video

Remember that cryptic Vancouver Canucks video I mentioned last week? Now the team has posted it on their web site. It indicates Saturday as a special date for... something.

You can also watch it right here on Icethetics and it's just as cryptic as ever.



It says, "Who else suffered rejection for an NHL franchise but never quit? Who else turned a symbol of surrender into a passionate tradition copied all across sports? Who else survived the insults of the Flying 'V', the plate of spaghetti, and the skate going down? Find out October 25th at General Motors Place."

The thing that flashes up for a few frames at the end is a 7.



We're not quite sure what it means exactly, but some have suggested it's the planned unveiling of the new third jersey — which Icethetics leaked. So what do you think the 7 means and what do you think the video means?

Comment with your conspiracy theories.