Wednesday: Because It's The Cup

Another Wednesday has come, and so has another hockey season. For a while, I have been mentioning the end of the season as I love playoff hockey. The postseason represents hockey at its finest, and the stakes are high. 16 teams have a chance to win the greatest trophy in sports. What names will be added this season?
  
Here on HJC, we have 2 votes going on. One is for COTY March, and the other is for last week's COTW. Make sure you help decide which concepts will be enshrined in HJC history. Your vote counts!

COTY-March vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

COTW Mar 31-Apr 6 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

   
Yesterday, we saw Justin C.'s goalie helmet concept that was made and worn in an NHL game. I love goalie helmet designs, so I'll start today's post with one:
  
Christian L.- Ottawa Senators Goalie Helmet Concept

Design: I really like the stripe on the side that features the same pattern as the Sens' logo. I have also never been much of a fan of the "Sens" wordmark, but it works nicely on this concept. The subtle maple leaves on the crown of the helmet also add a lot of detail to this design.
  
Score: 7/10 - As I mentioned, I love goalie helmet concepts, but I wish we could have more angles or views. Putting the helmet on the silhouette is also really cool.
    
        
Alan H. - Team Finland World Championship Concept

Design: Finland's current World Championship jerseys are really plain and boring. Alan does Finland a favor by adding some striping to their uniform. I like the crest on both of these jerseys. Alan's crest gives Finland a new, bold look that even incorporated the nation's flag.
   
Score: 7.5/10 - I really like the white jerseys, but I am confused about the shape of the shoulder yoke. Would the stripe come to a point near the elbow?
   
  
Alan H. - Team Finland Olympics Concept

Design: Alan's Olympics design replaces the shoulder yoke with striping inspired by Finland's flag. The crest returns, and again looks great on the jerseys. I like how the nameplate sits on one of the stripes. It kind of reminds me of the way the Flyers' nameplate is an off-color.
   
Score: 8/10 - Nike should take notes. There is no reason we shouldn't see this jersey in 2016.
  
   
Ben S. - Anaheim Ducks Concept

 
Design: Wildwing's mask returns in Ben's not so mighty Ducks concept. I like that the "D" logo was used instead of the wordmark. I also like that all three jerseys have a similar striping pattern, as it would give the Ducks a uniform look.
   
Score: 6.5/10 - This concept would really benefit from shoulder patches, and I think that the arm striping may be a little bit too high on the arm. Also don't forget to put some sort of ID on your concepts!
  
  
David P. - Slytherin Harry Potter Concept

Design: To me, the Harry Potter series was nothing but a good series of movies. I really like the jersey striping and the shoulder patches. The concept could lose the Reebok logos above the crests. I think that it takes away from the novelty of the design. I like that the light jersey is an off-white, however I am unsure if that is due to the white background on the image or intentional. Either way, it is pretty unique.
   
Score: 7/10 - "Please, please. Anything but Slytherin, anything but Slytherin"
   
   
Tyler F. - Reading Royals Concept

Design: A purple & cream concept is familiar to me, as I got my first contest and COTW wins with a similar color palette. I like this concept as it reminds me of the Blackhawks 2009 Winter Classic jersey. I think that a black number would look cool, but I don't like how white & cream look against each other.
   
Score: 6/10 - I like that Tyler highlighted his shoulder patch in the dead space of his image. It really allows me to visualize filly what his concept should look like. I do think that the shoulder patch should be oriented with the TV numbers as opposed to the front of the jersey.
  
 
Mike S. - Flagstaff Roadrunners Concept

Design: I remember Mike's concept standing out to me in the Roadrunners Contest. I like the colors and the choice of crest. I also like how the arm striping makes a "mountain" of sorts on the sleeves. I have been to Flagstaff before, and the only thing out there is mountains, so the town could really benefit from a professional hockey.
   
Score: 7/10 - If the numbers were outlined, this concept would kill the competition. I think that the numbers look like an afterthought was they stand right now. A cool shoulder patch could also add a lot to this concept. I think the pants would also benefit from some blue detail.
   
    
Stephen T. - Minnesota North Stars Concept

Design: I can't tell you what Minnesota was thinking in 1991 when they changed to their future Dallas jerseys, but the North Stars' original striping pattern was a hit! Stephen replaces yellow with gold on Minnesota's original uniform pattern, and I can't complain. I don't think I can get behind the star being replaced with the shape of Minnesota. I think it looks out of place, and would be much better used as a shoulder patch of some sort.
   
Score: 7.5/10 - I miss the collar ties that the North Stars originally used. I don't miss the use of black in the North Stars' color palette.
 
 
Stephen T. - Team USA Concept

Design: I thought Team USA was bold in replacing the classic "USA" across the chest with the Union Pacific Railroad crest, but I was wrong. Stephen turns to rival Russia's jersey for inspiration for this concept. A very big eagle stretches across the front of the jersey and onto the arms. I love that the wings continue onto the arms. I do think that both jerseys benefit from the eagle being confined to the front of the jersey.
   
Score: 8/10 - I like the look of the concept on paper, but the abrupt blue to white transition may look funny on a physical jersey.


Stephen T. - Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens Stadium Series Concept

Design: Stephen's ideal 2015 Stadium Series match up features two teams that would be more likely to be seen playing in a Heritage Classic. Stephen does a phenomenal job of transforming classic design elements of each team's jerseys into the new Stadium Series design elements. I like that Stephen added a yoke to Toronto's jersey, because why not? It's a Stadium Series you can do anything, like put the Captain's "C" on the shoulder.
   
Score: 9/10 - COTW Nomination! I liked the Winter Classic's red vs. blue match up, and I think these colors would look good again. Maybe they could play this came at the Rogers Center with hockey being played almost directly under the CN Tower.

That's all for this week. Don't forget to vote!

"AHHHH! GOTTA GO!" - Nyjer Morgan

(Morgan was a Brewers center fielder, but actually had a minor league hockey career)