Anyways, it is about time I put my degree to use and create a forum for us to talk sports. For a while, I'll be searching for my "voice" and "niche" in this ever-expanding world of blogs. If you will just stick with me that would be greatly appreciated. Rome wasn't built in a day.
You're comments and feedback are welcomed. In fact, if you would like your own voice to be heard, and to contribute to this site, feel free to let me know.
To get things rolling, I am going to dive into a part of the sports spectrum that is dear to my heart. Jerseys.
Not the GTL gorilla juice head kind.
I have compiled MY all-time top-10 list from the 4 major sports. To coincide with Game 2 of the Cup Finals, here is my hockey list.
10. Phoenix Coyotes
After plenty of failed attempts at both jerseys and logos, the soon-to-be-again Winnepeg Jets, finally got it right. The 'yotes process to find success was ass-backwards, but somehow they got it done. Atleast the few fans that Phoenix has will be able to remember the franchise by these uniforms. As you will find out I am a fan of arm-striping, simple designs and a crisp, clean logo that represents the franchise's name. This jersey has all of the above criteria and is not even comparable to the miserable rags they used to wear.
9. Los Angeles Kings
Who could forget the classic images of Wayne Gretzky donning this jersey in the timeless 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. What's that? You don't recall the Kings in the '93 Finals? Don't be embarrassed, not too many people outside of Montreal remember that series. The only thing that series did was get Barry Melrose enough publicity, mostly from that horrid mullet, that when the ownership group finally realized that he had no business coaching a team, ESPN came calling to offer that clown a job.
Enough about clowns, let's get back to the jersey. In reality it is a nice set of threads. The black and silver is a classic combo that is aesthetically appealing. The logo is ok, not sure that I even prefer it over the Kings' logo, but this jersey is in the top-10 because of the big silver numbers inside the black arm-stripe and on the player's backs.
However if the jerseys looked like the image below, it would easily be #1.
8. Buffalo Sabres
This is a perfect example of a third-jersey done right. It incorporates the franchise's vintage logo and the traditional hockey look of the stringed collar to create a modern twist on classic NHL icons.
You can't go wrong with logo, it specifically represents the team name using just images. I like the stripes on the arms and at the bottom. For this specific jersey I think the stringed collar works.
7. Minnesota Northstars
To be honest I don't know if this is a top-10 jersey, let alone #7, but the logo is the best in the NHL, so this had to go somewhere. The green is a good green, and that's enough for me. Considering the crap the new Minnesota team wears, these are impressive. Plus anytime you can use a picture of Dino Ciccerelli, you have to use it.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs
Don't know if it's the jersey or Tie Domi, but this image is the personification of class. These jerseys haven't changed much over the long storied history of the Leafs, and probably for good reason. Very simple design, arm stripes, and a good color scheme make this a winner.
5. District 5 Ducks
I mean come on, what would a hockey list be without Hans' custom made sweaters. Gordon Bombay and Cake Eater Banks, may have been Hawks, but after seeing these jerseys they were Ducks for life. They each even worked through horrific slashes to be able to throw-on these shirts. How often does a youth hockey team in Minnesota spawn a professional team in Anaheim.
Without Guy Germaine there would be no Paul Kariya.
No Goldberg, no J.S. Giguere.
, th
Without the Ducks, Kenan would still be hanging out at Goodburger with Kel.
Reed + Portman > Canseco + McGwire.
4. San Jose Sharks
I prefer the older San Jose blue than the current blue. The grey and "old" blue just go well together. Nothing is more intimidating than a shark. In fact, the Sharks wouldn't be a bad team to root for if the team didn't choke worse than Shane Falco in the Sugar Bowl.
But the team does get to come out of a shark's mouth during introductions and the crowd is serenaded by the Jaws theme before powerplays. Both positives in my book.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
Street Cred.
Gin and Juice.
Enough Said.
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Some may argue that the Red version is the better of the two, but personally I like the Hawks road whites. They just look cleaner and the logo pops off the jersey. Whatever your Chicago preference, we will be seeing a lot of these uniforms into late May and early June for many years. It's a shame that they will be raising the Pens' Cup, but atleast Mike Richards won't get his scum fingers on it.
1. Calgary Flames
Simply the best jersey I have seen in the NHL, if not the entire world of sports. The team's name is the Flames, and the jersey actually looks like fire. It's a simple but ingenius idea.
Sorta like God saying to baby Megan, "Hey you're going to be extremely hot, how would you like the last name Fox."
