JerseyWatch 2020

The 2020 edition of Icethetics’ annual JerseyWatch may have come a bit later than usual, but it’s packed with more exciting news than we’ve seen since the site launched in 2007. Read on to see why!

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The Fourth Jersey Program

Currently, 20 of 31 NHL teams employ a third jersey. The big headline for the 2020-21 season promises to be the introduction of a new series of alternate uniforms—what I’m calling the fourth jersey. Recent reports have suggested that teams will have special throwback jerseys next season.

Icethetics sources confirm this new program, describing them “throwbacks with a twist.” I’m told that what makes some of the sweaters even more interesting may be the individual match-ups, which will take place primarily in November and December.

Multiple Icethetics sources have now provided jersey descriptions that suggest the “twist” could be as simple as a color inversion (i.e.: a blue Canadiens sweater with a red chest stripe). Interestingly, a similar theme has been executed in a recent concept series by Matt Burke.

Not every team will add a fourth jersey, but many will. At this time, I don’t have a lot of information about this new set of sweaters. But my sense is it will dominate the NHL uniform conversation this summer.

Though I’m referring to it as a “fourth jersey” until something more official comes along, a team could still use one without necessarily having a designated third jersey.

The Missing Catalog

The annual debut of Icethetics JerseyWatch is usually set in motion by the release of the Adidas catalog in the winter. It’s meant to help retailers determine what new products to order. Printed copies are often photographed and find their way to me or another part of the web.

This year, that catalog apparently went digital and was only available for a limited window of time to specific users. That means our spies weren’t able to provide the usual sneak peek. So this year’s information comes from a variety of other trusted Icethetics sources and some speculation based on over a decade of experience.

Continue on for team-by-team JerseyWatch reports.