Wednesday: Completing the AFL

A thank you goes out to the four HJC Open semi-finalists for getting their entries in early. The Semi-Finals voting can now begin immediately because of that. Click the banner at the top of the page or you can go to the HJC OPEN tab to find the link to see the entries. Voting will run until the end of Sunday.


The Concept of the Week and June Concept of the Year votes continue. As I mentioned yesterday to Committee Members, when you email in your COTW vote take a second to also email in your June-COTY vote. Both of those votes end on Thursday.

COTY-June vote (ends Thursday @ 11:59pm EST)

COTW July 2-8 vote (ends Thursday @ 11:59pm EST)

HJC Open Semi-Finals votes (end Sunday @ 11:59pm EST)

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Sydney Swans concept (by Matt D.)

A swan is just not intimidating. It's almost like calling a team the "Fluffy Kittys". I'm also not a fan of the jersey. I personally think that this one needs to go back to the drawing board on everything. Having said that, it's really hard to hate a concept that has been executed so well. 6/10

Buffalo Sabres concepts (by WhiteLightning)

White thought it would be funny and interesting to send in his first ever concepts. They're not great and pretty pixelated, but everyone has to start somewhere. It's a good lesson for concept artists just starting, you will be terrible at first, but as long as you attempt to improve your skills then you probably will get better. There's no need to rate this concept.

Buffalo Sabres concepts (by MasonII)

This looks like Mason's attempt to improve the Buffa-slug jerseys. I said he's made a much better home jersey, but I don't feel the same about the white one. I think it's those blue sleeves that I don't like. I'd get rid of those and go with a stripe colour arrangement similar to the original Sabres' sweaters. 7/10

Ottawa Senators concept (by Matt C.)

I like where this could go, but right now it's too obvious that it's a re-coloured Wild alt. Something small needs to be added to differentiate the two. Outlines are also needed around the primary and shoulder logos as well as the numbers. The hem stripe on the front has been left as Wild wheat and not re-coloured with the rest of the concept. 5/10

Los Angeles Kings concept (by NB14)

It looks like NB14 wants the Kings to use their road jerseys from the 80's as their alternates. However, this version suffers the same as the concept above. It just looks like a purple and gold Flyers jersey. Something needs to be added to make it different. 6/10

Winnipeg Jets concept (by Tyler G.)

I posted a concept almost exactly like this one a while back. It seems as if Tyler and I both agree that the Jets should use this as a 3rd jersey. It's clearly based on the old Jets' road sweater. Tyler has simplified the colours in the logos for his concept. 8/10

New York Rangers concept (by Scott M.)

The jersey looks to be based on the blue jersey from 1978-1997, but with some inspiration from the current set of sweaters. I don't think it's better than the current alternate, but it's still a good jersey. Execution is really great as well. 8/10

Colonial Soldier concepts (by Chris Z.)

This is a neat idea and a tip of the hat goes to Chris for the creativity! There are some things that could be done to further replicate the soldiers' uniforms. Blue going down the front of the jersey, to replicate the coat flaps could be good. I also would liked to have seen white hockey socks to match the white boat covers. 7/10

Kalamazoo Wings concepts (by WinnipegJets96) *Description on concept. 7/10

Cornwall Senators concepts (by WhiteLightning)

White wants to move the B-Sens north to Cornwall, Ontario. If the big club isn't going to use that great side profile logo then the AHL club should have at it! Just like the Ottawa Senators of the early 90's, White has put the team name inside the circle of the logo. That alternate is unconventional, but I like it for some reason. COTW nom from me! 9/10

Dallas Stars concepts (by Kyle C.)

These jerseys make the Dallas Stars look like they were an Original Six club. The Rangers' yokes help with that, but it's still a smartly put together concept. I would make the outline of the star in the logo white instead of black, just to match the stripes a little bit more. 8/10

Tampa Bay Lightning concept (by Brian B.)

This concept is very cool and very well executed. If it wasn't well executed it could be a real mess, so well done there Brian! This seems like what the Bolts wanted to do with their 3rd jersey in the 90's, but this one is done properly. My only question is, are there too many lightning bolts? 9/10

Richmond Tigers concept (by Matt D.)

I like how the hockey jersey very closely matches the football jersey, it works with this team. The sublimated logo doesn't sit too well with me. It's in full colour as the shoulder patches, so perhaps having it grey and sublimated on the black jersey would be better? I would do the same thing with the player number on the chest. A big kudos to Matt for completing this series! It was creative and fun and I will remember how well everything was executed. 7/10