Islanders to keep orange and blue, add third jersey after move to Brooklyn
BROOKLYN -- There will be two more seasons of NHL hockey at Nassau Coliseum before the New York Islanders head 29 miles west to Brooklyn and play in their new home at Barclays Center. On Sept. 21, the team will play their first game in the borough during a preseason matchup with the New Jersey Devils. After likely another exhibition game next year -- and maybe a couple regular season games, according to owner Charles Wang -- they'll become full-time tenants in 2015.
Since the announcement, there has been much speculation about whether or not the Islanders will adapt the NBA's Nets' black and white color scheme. (Just taking a look at their website and you'll notice a similar design.) Mock ups have been designed by fans, but a complete overhaul in their home and away looks is not in the cards come 2015, but a new third jersey is.
As the Islanders took to the Barclays Center ice for the first time on Thursday, Barclays Center and Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark said during a media tour of the arena that the Islanders will keep their traditional home and away colors when they move and a third jersey that will "speak to Brooklyn" will be created. That could be where the black and white comes in.
"My job is to work with Charles and to make sure we stay true to the hardcore fan, the fan that has been there from day one," said Yormark via New York Magazine. "But at the same time, we also want to reach out and connect with the new fan and we're going to do it in an appropriate way."
Word of advice: do not consult the people who approved the Islanders' last third jersey and stay as far away from whoever gave the Sabres' thirds a thumbs up.
Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy
