In one of the worst kept secrets in the league, the Toronto Maple Leafs released their third jerseys for the 2011-12 season. The jersey was splashed all over the internet earlier this week and even shown on the rack in a retail store. For me, the verdict is still out on how I feel about the new look.

PHOTO CREDIT - MapleLeafs.com

Cornwall - Sep. 23, 2011 - In one of the worst kept secrets in the league, the Toronto Maple Leafs released their third jerseys for the 2011-12 season.

The jersey was splashed all over the internet earlier this week and even shown on the rack in a retail store.

Former team captains Darryl Sittler and Wendel Clark joined current Maple Leafs Luke Schenn and Colby Armstrong in the unveiling of the Original Six franchise’s third sweater Friday.

The Leafs said in a media release that "the sweater, which is blue, is an identical throwback to the 1967 to 1970 time period in team history." As many Leafs' fans know, the last time the Buds sipped from Lord Stanley's cup was in 1967. I was born in 1968 and as such, have never enjoyed watching my Leafs hoist the Cup in my lifetime. It doesn't look like I will see it any time soon either, although at this time of year there is renewed optimism that the playoffs are possible this year.

The Leafs point out some of the attributes of the sweater include; a solid, snow white, wool-felt, 11-point Maple Leaf crest similar to the Maple Leaf on the Canadian Flag as the country celebrated its centennial year in 1967, felt fabric numbers and lettering, one set of thin-wide-thin stripes adorning the waist and both elbows, no shoulder patches, and a six-eyelet lace at the front of the neck. The pants will be adorned with a new white vertical stripe along the sides will also be worn by the hockey club for games in which the third sweater will be used.

For me, the verdict is still out on how I feel about the new look. The Leafs will wear the jersey 14 times this year, under the following schedule: