Islanders to replace Ice Girls squad with co-ed crew after move to Brooklyn: Report

In a move that reeks more of political correctness than equal opportunity, the New York Islanders said they are thawing out their Ice Girls squad and replacing them with a co-ed ice cleaning crew.

The NHL hockey team is dropping the sexy, cheerleader-like team when it moves from Nassau Coliseum to Barclays Center in Brooklyn this fall, according to Sports Illustrated.

“We decided to go in a different direction,” Barry Baum, spokesman for the Barclays Center, told the magazine.

“We’ve spent a lot of time talking with Islanders fans who made it clear they wanted their favorite traditions brought to Brooklyn, and we have listened.”

The Islanders were the first team in the NHL to introduce an all-female ice cleaning squad back in 2001. Besides shoveling loose snow off the ice at stoppages, they performed various promotional duties.

Other teams — such as the Philadelphia Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings — soon followed suit.

But then came the protests from some who felt the female skaters' sometimes revealing attire was both unnecessary and demeaning to female fans.

The Flyers ended up dumping their Ice Girls after bowing to pressure, but later went co-ed  after fans booed the all-male crew at every timeout.

But Islanders fans need not despair as many members of the team will remain on the new co-ed squad.

Baum said the team will be tasked with “helping create the best ice possible as mandated by the NHL.”

Flyers Ice Girls get luke-warm reception for wearing 'sensible' outfits in return (PHOTO)

After much public jeering from Philadelphia Flyers fans when their beloved Ice Girls cleaning crew were replaced by a group of men — who were relentlessly booed between periods during preseason home games earlier this year — the team caved in and brought back the ladies for Thursday's home opener at Wells Fargo Center.

Yet, it's hard to appease those finicky Philly fans.

Flyers fans are still upset over the new look female skaters who now wear long pants on the ice:

Rather than their popular hot pants:

And to top it off, there are only four Ice Girls and twice as many male shovelers during the game stoppages.

It'll be fun to see how the evolving saga of the Ice Girls plays out. But, after dropping to 0-2 after blowing the home opener 6-4 against the Devils, Flyers fans may find other things to focus their energy on.

Anyway, here's the scantily-clad Ice Girls we had come to know and love:

Flyers bringing back 'Ice Girls,' dumping dudes: Report

There was more booing at Wells Fargo Center when the Flyers’ new all-male ice cleaners skated out with shovels during a first-period stoppage of Tuesday night's preseason game.

And then a message on the Jumbotron led to cheers. And no, Sidney Crosby didn't retire.

Bowing to pressure from the fickle fans, the team announced on the scoreboard that the Flyers Ice Girls, who were fired after last season amid reported complaints, would return for the Oct. 9 regular-season home opener against the Devils.

This apparently puts an end to the short-lived all-male sweeper era — although the team will likely mix in a few Ice Dudes with the Ice Girls when the season starts.

A new team of 10 Ice Girls will be hired from a tryout that will be held at noon on Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Flyers Skate Zone practice rink.

It seems the constant booing whenever the ice guys appeared during the Flyers’ first two preseason games led to a change of heart.

“When Flyers fans voice their concerns, we listen, because they are undeniably the most passionate and knowledgeable fans in all of sports,” Flyers COO of Business Operations Shawn Tilger said. 

And Philly fans never boo anything.

Flyers fans boo 'Ice Guys' who replaced 'Ice Girls' at Wells Fargo Center (VIDEO)

The boo-birds were tuned and ready for the Philadelphia Flyers' first preseason game at Wells Fargo Center Monday night. But most of the noise wasn't directed at any skaters during the game — it was for the dudes on the ice during game stoppages.

It became very clear early in the game that the crowd's hostility was reserved for the new all-male ice clearing crew who replaced the "Ice Girls" this season.

Wearing black pants and orange fleece jackets, the 12 young men skated out for their appointed jobs — only to be booed louder than Sidney Crosby until they left the ice — three times in the first period alone.

The change in personnel happened after the Ice Girls were replaced amid reports that they were unhappy with work conditions and pay.

A familiar lament surrounding sports these days.

Meanwhile, in San Jose, the Sharks altered the uniform for their "Ice Crew" this offseason with the girls now in skimpy outfits, while the guys remained in regular track suits. 

That move prompted protest and outrage among Sharks fans who feel the uniforms serve no purpose but to objectify women.

I don't remember any such problems when there was only the asexual Zamboni.