Wednesday: Contest Crunch Time

The Stadium Series game at Soldier Field was by far the most amazing sporting event I have ever attended. Although the festivities didn't compare to the 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, something about watching my favorite professional team play in a blizzard was just an awesome experience.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet up with Dylan and Stephen as the frigid temperatures killed my phone's battery even before I got into the Stadium. The NHL may be diluting the Winter Classic & Heritage Classic with other outdoor games, take the chance to witness one for yourself before the NHL changes their mind. The experience is truly unforgettable.
   
Remember to vote this week! I'll admit that I too have been slacking on voting, so lets all get back on the voting train together.

COTW vote Feb 24-Mar 2 (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

  

REMEMBER! The Pairs Competition entries are due THURSDAY @ 11:59PM.

Don't forget! This is hyping up to be one of the best contests in HJC history, so make sure you can be part of that.

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Here are today's concepts. I am going to try my new format one more week so see if you all like it better...

     

Brady S. - Denver Stadium Series Concept

Design: After the weather that I experienced in the Chicago Stadium Series game, I am all for holding one in Denver. The Avs desperately need a new look, and I really like Brady's above jersey. The striping looks to be loosely based on the team's 2001 alternate, which in my opinion was the best striping pattern that Colorado has ever used. The Red Wings jersey is actually where this concept earns all of its points. The striping is similar to the Wings' Winter Classic striping, and Brady manages to turn one of the league's most classic uniforms into a great looking special event jersey.

    

Score: 9/10 - The detail here is incredible. I love that the Stadium Series patch is colored for each team. I though the blue patch looked funny on the Blackhawks jersey. On that note, this might be the only Red Wings jersey I would ever buy. COTW Nom!

   

   

Joelski - San Jose Sharks Concept

Design: The sharks are one of the few NHL teams that I think would look good in gray. The shield logo looks amazing as a primary crest. I also like the shark fin logo as a shoulder patch. In my opinion, I think the "sharks" emblem on the hem could go away. It looks out of place, and the concept is very cool already.

   

Score: 5/10 - The logos and jersey numbers are very pixelated. Also I would either show the shoulder patches and TV numbers on the front or back of the concept. It looks like this jersey has 2 patches on each shoulder.

   

   

Mike S. Fayatteville Fireantz

Design: When I looked up this team, I couldn't believe how much of an identity problem they appear to have. With a name like the Fireantz, the possibilities are unlimited. I like that Mike sticks with a black, red, and white color scheme as opposed to one with yellow. I never liked the Avalanche number font, but it looks really good on this concept. The striping also seems to fit the team's identity.

     

Score: 6/10 - This is a good looking concept. I would have liked to see shoulder patches and I would only stick to one number font. I would love to see the white counterpart of this jersey.

     

     

Stephen T. - Team USA Concept

Design: I like this design of Stephen's white uniform a lot better than the white jersey that USA wore in this past Olympics. I also like the idea of adding some of the country's history into the arm striping, but it seems weird seeing green on a USA jersey.

     

Score: 7/10 - Good looking concept! I wish the patch on the arms would be blown up somewhere so that they could be identified more easily. One change I would make though would be to center the crests.

    

    

Stephen S. - Team Canada Concept

Design: The same pretty much goes for this concept as well. It seems odd to me that Canada would rep the green & yellow along with the red & white. However, that's just my personal opinion. The creativity is great, and I like that Stephen mixes it up a little with often boring country concepts.

     

Score: 6.5/10 - I would center the maple leaf on the front of the jerseys as well as the nameplates. Once again, this was a very creative set of concepts.

    

    

Wings98 - Anaheim Ducks Concept

Design: First off, I love the color scheme! It reminds me of Charlie Conway & the Mighty Ducks movies. I don't know if I'd want to see the Ducks ever wear this color scheme, but I think it works for this series that Wings98 is working on.

      

Score: 6/10 - My biggest complaint is the crest. I understand it is made to look like an actual duck, but it looks very unprofessional, which is a disappointment compared to the other concepts in this series.

      

     

David P. - Netherlands Concept

Design: It seems like every country uses some combination of red, white, black, or blue. But not the Netherlands! David's concept gives international hockey a fresh color palette, and it looks great. I really like the crest on both jerseys. I also like how stripes were added to the template that Nike left blank, making for many plain jerseys. The mane around the collar adds a lot to this concept.

     

Score: 7/10 - Very well done! However, I will still be wearing the red, white, & blue come 2018.

     

     

Cole W. - Alberta Concept

Design: Cole's concept has a very classic feel to it. The color scheme reminds me of Sweden's Olympic uniforms, and I love the combination of blue & yellow. I think a tournament of provinces where NHL players represent their hometown would make for quite the show. I personally think it would have been cool if the mountains from the flag could have been incorporated into the concept in some way.

     

Score: 6.5/10 - Maybe try adding the flag or at least the shield from the flag as a shoulder patch. I think that would bring a lot to this concept. I would also give the white jersey its own pair of socks.

    

    

Rob C. - Fundy Cobras Concept

Design: Rob gives the Cobras a completely new identity. I like the fact that both arms are different. I also like the sharp angles, as they remind me of the fangs on a cobra.

     

Score: 7/10 - This concept is great on the Iceborn template. I would ditch the white pants, although I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this might be the first concept I've seen that may be able to pull them off.

   

   

Bastian - Winnipeg Jets Alternate Concept

Design: Bastian pays homage to the Canadian Air Force with the striping on this concept. I believe that the Jets alternate should use some red to tie their logo into their uniform set. The Ducks did the same with their current alternate, and that is one of my favorite alternate uniforms in the league. The lighter shade of blue also reminds me of the old Thrashers uniforms.

    

Score: 7.5/10 - The Jets alternate logo would look great as a shoulder patch, or maybe even the Canadian Air Force logo. Otherwise, I love this jersey.

   

   

Bastian - Boston Bruins Alternate Concept

Design: Last week, I saw a couple Bruins concepts with simply a "B" on the chest. This one is ny far my favorite that I have seen. Based off of nearly every former Bruins jersey, this concept would look great as an alternate. I especially like that black is completely eliminated from the color scheme. I want to see  the brown pants on the ice before I judge them, but I love the idea of the crest on the pants.

    

Score: 8/10 - I can't believe I already used my COTW nomination on a Red Wings jersey, but this is a close second. Someone help me out!

   

   

Jets96 and I are just about done with our Pairs Competition entry! Are you? The deadline was pushed back to Thursday night so don't forget. Here's a hint of what Jets96 & I are up to:

You didn't think I would actually show anything more did you? I guess everyone will have to wait until our presentation to see anything substantial.

See you next Wednesday!