Friday: Back in the Saddle

Hey all, Ryan here. It's been a while since I've actually written a full concept post. This is just like old times.

The big news of the week has been the rumoured outdoor games next season. While most of the details have been covered the last few days I will predict that HJC sees its fair share of concepts for these games. How many of these games will feature new jerseys? What will these games be called? The Winter Classic Games? The NHL Outdoor Series? It will be interesting to see if each game gets its own logo too. Most of all, I am looking forward to seeing concepts from you guys. Also, I think it would be a great opportunity for those of you who are looking to dabble into the world of logo concepts to make an event logo for one of the games.

----------------------------------------------

Why am I writing this post? Glad you asked. Currently HJC is without a Friday writer. So, if you would like to fill this spot then grab some concepts from the site and create a mock post. Make sure the post is written in the same style as any HJC post would be. I still want you to write like you normally would, but with the HJC characteristics. Then send in that mock post or direct me to a link where I can read it. There is no timeline here. Once I find someone that I like I will let everyone know.

----------------------------------------------

No profile cards to post today, but keep them coming. It's really cool the "meet" people this way. If you want to send in a profile card then go to the ABOUT/CONTACT HJC tab. There you will be able to find the card so you can fill it out and email it in. It will be placed in line with all of the other concepts.

----------------------------------------------

New York Rangers entries
As of this writing, this is the only entry that came in. Kevin will have the remainder for you on Saturday.

Alex H.

----------------------------------------------

Not many votes at all have come in for the COTW and COTY Playoff. C'mon guys, we NEED you to vote!

COTY-Playoff vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm EST)

COTW Apr 8-14 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm EST)

NYR entries due (Friday @ 11:59pm EST)

 

----------------------------------------------

 

Wisconsin Badgers (by Bobby P.)

From what I can tell the Badgers wear Red Wings jerseys with tie up collars. I like that Bobby has given them something different from the Wings. I love the thick stripes on the sleeves. Several execution errors hold this concept back though. The numbers 3's on the left arms are backwards. The logo is also a different shade of red, which shows up even more on the red jersey. I can see a box surrounding the logo in the other shade. Those things need to be cleaned up. 6.5/10

 

Chicago Blackhawks (by Michael G.)

The beige sleeves here aren't working for me. Maybe it's because I'm an old man who doesn't like change, when it comes to hockey jerseys. The font used for the TV numbers looks to be different than that used on the back for no reason. The pants are pixelated and I don't understand the red stitching. I think this concept deserves a second chance after Michael takes a look at everything that is offered on the TEMPLATES page. 5/10

 

Chicago Blackhawks concept (by Josh)

Simple and effective. Over the last 18 months I have soured on chest stripes, but these don't bother me at all. I don't agree with using a single coloured collar on one jersey and a tri-coloured collar on the other. Finally execution wise, two different shades of black are being used on the jersey and the logo. 7/10

 

Chicago Blackhawks (Stephen T.)

Thin chest stripes again, but arranged differently. I like the numbers inside the stripes on both the back and sleeves. Because of the retro striping I feel like a retro logo should be used. This one seems out of place to me. Again, different shades of black being used on the logo and jersey. 7/10

 

Calgary Flames (Dylan W.)

The red jersey lures me in like a department store with a promise of "BIG SAVINGS!". Then the white jersey is like getting there and realizing those savings only kick in after buying a certain amount of merch in the first place. The red jersey looks modern and nicely thought out. Then its white counterpart looks wild and crazy. I'd remove the red cuffs and yokes and this would be a very solid set! 7.5/10

 

University of New Hampshire Wildcats (Bobby P.)

Looking at UNH's current jerseys, they look like Leafs jerseys with old Blue Jays font on them. Bobby has done a solid job here trimming the jerseys with silver while still maintaining a classic look. I would say that he could have even kept the old Blue Jays' font to go nicely with the wordmark. The logo has a few loose pixels on the blue jersey, which likely happened on a re-colour. 7.5/10

 

Buffalo Sabres (Stephen T.)

Stephen makes three small changes to the Sabres' current jerseys. He has trimmed the collars in silver. Added shoulder patches using the primary logo. And he's changed the NOB font, using the font from the Buffa-slug jerseys. In my opinion, none of these changes improve the jerseys. Only the silver collar trim makes them worse though. The other changes just seem irrelevant. 6/10

Anaheim Ducks (Kyle C.)

Maybe some are hoping that Nike gets the next contract to design and create NHL sweaters. I am not one of them. However, it is fun to hypothesize what teams would look like in Nike Swift cuts. All of Kyle's changes here are agreeable, but I do prefer the current "swooping" lines on the Ducks jerseys. They have character, while these do not. Not on these jerseys anyways. Logo choices are all good though. 7.5/10

Edmonton Oilers (Tyler G.)

Tyler intends this as a third jersey to the current Oilers set. It's essentially their original Edge sweater, but "completed". I would like it more without a hem stripe. The big bronze hem stripe is distracting, I find. If you went with thinner stripes, like on the pre-Edge jersey, then hem stripes would be needed. I would also personally use a blue outline then a red outline on the logo. Execution is stellar, as always from Tyler. Check out inside the collar. I love the accuracy!!! 8/10

Phoenix Coyotes (Mike S.)

This jersey screams "Desert!" and I love it. You may even be able to get away with not using the yokes. The leaping coyote was a good primary logo choice. I would prefer one logo on both shoulders, but that's not a deal breaker. Great looking concept and very solid execution. 8.5/10

So what did you think of today's concepts? Were they great? Why? Did they suck? Why? Do you agree with my thoughts or am I an idiot? Why?