Would they rather be super models, instead of super stars?

In a league that reveres the resplendent Don Cherry and his fashion sense, it’s probably not a surprise that NHL players have taken such an interest in fashion over the last few years.

Earlier this week we were treated to the details of how Sidney Crosby had been working through the off season, to help make sure that Reebok got their new uniforms just right. It’s a pretty dedicated young man that will spend hot summer days, testing hockey sweaters but with Reebok poised to become the tailor of choice for the NHL, it’s the least that their head hockey spokesperson could do we guess.

But what’s this, even old hand Brendan Shanahan has taken an interest in NHL Fashions, Shanahan who is on the competition committee as chairman is looking at opening up an old issue of the past year, that of goaltender equipment. Shanahan offered up the following quote to Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail;

"The goalies are going to hate me for saying this, but I think we failed a bit with streamlining their equipment. So much of the focus was on the width of their pads and it's really about their upper bodies. I want to make sure these guys are protected. I just don't understand how a cop can walk down the street in a bullet-proof vest and look normal, yet our goalies have to look like lacrosse goalies or Michelin men in order to stop a puck."

Shanahan’s comments were made as the topic of larger nets came up once again; a prospect that hockey purists are not particularly interested in but still pops up from time to time.

It would be Shanahan’s preference to reduce the bulk of the goaltenders rather than expand the scoring zone behind them, which considering he’s a forward and might make good use of that extra real estate, is a rather far reaching and big picture approach for the chairman.

I'm too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt, So sexy it hurts

NHLers may be singing the vibe of Right Said Fred shortly as the new designer cut uniforms are prepared for their unveiling.

Rebok and the NHL will provide a sneak preview Wednesday in New York as the form fitting uniforms are unveiled. A full presentation is planned for the all star break in Dallas.

The new uniforms will be worn in the NHL all star game on January 24th and then go into regular use at the start of next season.

The new uniforms are sleeker, less baggy but apparently not constricting and they are water resistant, which is rather important as we head into the warmer months of the playoffs and games that go into June.

The NHL wanted to avoid the problems that Team Canada had with their new look Nike uniforms at the Turin Olympics, which were considered too tight and met with less than universal acclaim.

The uniforms were designed and refined with consultation of the players, who tested them out in training camps and at regular season practices to help Rebok get the right design for the makeover.

Of course the jury will still be out until that master of style has his say on the new look threads. We anxiously await the verdict of the NHL’s own Mr. Blackstone, Don Cherry, now a fellow that dresses like he does surely will be able to offer up the definitive word on NHL fashion!