Some NHL House Cleaning

The Rbk Edge Uniform System is spreading quickly as the Washington Capitals won't be the only team in new duds on June 22. I had written about the Capitals' plan to unveil their new uniforms at the draft in Columbus, Ohio in the A Glaring Ommision article. Well, the host team for this year's draft is following suit. The Columbus Blue Jackets have made it official on their website.

"COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Columbus Blue Jackets will introduce their new home and road uniforms prior to the start of the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft at Nationwide Arena on Friday, June 22. The unveiling will include two Blue Jackets players and take place on the Entry Draft stage just prior to the start of the draft.

The Blue Jackets will join the other 29 NHL member clubs in wearing the Rbk Edge uniforms beginning with the 2007-08 season. Last January, the NHL and Reebok announced a partnership that has created the new technologically-advanced uniform system, which was worn by the Western and Eastern Conference All-Star Teams at last year's game in Dallas.

The Rbk Edge Uniform System was designed with performance and safety at the forefront. It is the culmination of more than two years of research and testing with active participation by NHL players, the NHL Players' Association and NHL team executives. The launch marks the first time in the history of major North American professional sports leagues that a league-wide uniform innovation has been established.

The 2007 NHL Entry Draft will be held at Nationwide Arena on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23. The first round will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday with rounds 2-7 beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are free for both days and are available at www.BlueJackets.com. Additional information on special events surrounding the draft will be announced in the coming days."

The Blue Jackets will feature a new logo on these jerseys as well. The rumour is that it will be their current alternate logo. In any case, we now have two teams that will be showing off their new "uniform system" in 14 days.

Hey, if the Hawks can get excited and steal Columbus' draft logo for their own personal use, the 2007 Entry Draft has to be fun, right? And nothing says more fun than seeing new uniforms and logos. Especially if they are bad. Can you imagine what may happen if the Columbus jerseys look horrible? The fans in Ohio might revolt. Maybe that's why Bob Murray declined to position of general manager in Columbus: he was afraid for his life after seeing the new jerseys.

In any case, the draft is upon us. I'll have a big AHL wrap-up tomorrow. Congrats to the Hamilton Bulldogs on their Calder Cup Championship! Until tomorrow, keep your sticks on the ice!