The Tampa Bay Lightning unveiled their third jerseys tonight for their game against the New Jersey Devils at 5 p.m. (Sun Sports, AM 970 WFLA). It is the second time in franchise history the Lightning have donned an alternate jersey. The first was unveiled prior to the 1996-97 season. ?We are excited about today?s opportunity with the third jersey,? Lightning Owner, Governor and CEO Oren Koules said. ?The new ownership appreciates being able to be a part of the new design, which clearly pays homage to the affectionate name that Lightning fans have for their team. We?d like to thank Reebok, the NHL and everyone here that had a part in the design. We think our fans will enjoy the new look and identity for our team.? The third jersey is primarily blue with black sleeves. Silver and white trim encircle each forearm and the bottom of the jersey. The word ?Bolts? is crested diagonally from upper right to lower left across the jersey in white. The team?s primary logo adorns each shoulder and the rear shirt tail features the words ?Tampa Bay? written in white across a black trim. The underarms contain the team?s trademark horizontal stripes (blue, silver, white), originally added to the team?s uniform by founder Phil Esposito. Rear and shoulder numbers and nameplates match the color and font schemes in the team?s home and road jerseys. Matching socks are primarily black (upper portion) and blue (lower portion) with rings of white and silver circling to separate the black and blue portions. Existing black pants (which feature a white Lightning bolt) and black helmets will be worn as part of the third uniform system.

The Phoenix Coyotes unveiled a new third jersey Saturday during the AZ-TV television broadcast of the team?s away game at Philadelphia. The new alternate jersey will supplement the team?s current uniform on select Coyotes? home games, beginning with the jersey?s Jobing.com Arena debut on Friday, Nov. 28 when the team will wear the jersey for the first time. ?The current Coyotes uniform is considered one of the best in professional sports and has remained unchanged since its introduction in 2003,? said Coyotes? President and Chief Operating Officer Douglas Moss. ?To celebrate and help further the identity of our brand, we wanted to diversify its look, giving our fans more opportunities to experience what the Coyotes represent.? The Coyotes turned to New York-based branding firm SME to assist in the strategic branding and design of the new alternate jersey and related components. The goal of the initiative was to create a new look that gave Coyotes fans some elements they hadn?t seen in the uniform before. ?Our direction was simple: extend the current uniform look and feel into an exciting, hot new look that both the players and the fans will love,? said SME Chief Creative Officer Edward O?Hara. ?It had to be classic sports in tone and not overly trendy.? The leaping coyote logo - a full body interpretation of the Coyotes crest - was selected for the new alternate jersey, aggressively leaping forward depicting the athletic, determined nature of NHL hockey. ?Our third jersey has tried to maintain some of the traditional style of the classic NHL uniforms while maintaining the Coyotes? desert look and feel,? said Coyotes? Managing Partner and Head Coach Wayne Gretzky. ?I think it will appeal to traditionalists and new fans alike.? Two new Coyotes alternate logos have also been introduced to accompany the classic Coyotes crest and leaping coyote, including a new ?Phoenix Coyotes? script word mark and Coyotes paw print. The new script word mark provides a traditional look, while the Coyotes paw print design on symbolizes the unity of the Coyotes pack. ?It?s always exciting to bring a new jersey out,? said Coyotes? Captain Shane Doan. ?It creates a lot of hype for the team and it?s something that I know my kids, having kids, really enjoy the opportunity to get a new jersey.?