Wednesday: Hats Hats Hats

Ryan's latest weekend update highlighted the NHL's draft caps over the last couple of years, which got me thinking about my hat collection. I have always loved wearing hats, and have quite the collection. Unfortunately, I am living in an apartment for the summer and am unable to share a picture of my collection. I first saw the 2010 draft cap in my favorite local hockey store. I bought a Sabres hat because that was the year that they switched from the Buffaslug to the classic crossed swords crest. My collection of 2010 caps alone has grown to include the Islanders, Rangers, Whalers, Blackhawks Hockey Fights Cancer, Chicago Wolves, Milwaukee Admirals, and Rockford Ice Hogs. The 2011 & 2012 hats were cool, but I loved that the 2010 hats were so widely available in many NHL and AHL teams. Since then, the draft caps have gone downhill. Snapbacks are popular, but they just aren't for everyone. Ryan already asked which style hat was your favorite, but I'm curious if anyone has found a cool hat somewhere. I found my 2010 Hartford Whalers had in the Boston Airport of all places. What is your favorite obscure find?
    
As you know, the HJC Open is starting soon! I can't think of a better way to get ready than to check out the best concepts from not only last week, but all of June. While you are studying up on good technique, you might as well vote.
 

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

COTW June30-July6 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

 
Now that I am finished nerding out on hats, here are the concepts...
   
Brad M. - Columbus Blue Jackets Concept

Design: Brad goes in a drastically different direction with this Blue Jackets' concept, and I think it is much better than their current set. The blue jersey reminds me a lot of the Team USA jersey from this year. I also like the addition of gold to the color scheme. The stars on the arms are very cool, but nothing should go below the hem stripe. It looks very cluttered in my opinion. Other than that, this is one of my favorite Blue Jackets concepts that I've seen.
  
Score: 7.5/10 - This is one of the coolest templates I have seen. I hope to see more of these on HJC.
    
On a side note, Brad has recently published a sci-fi fantasy novel. He put a lot of hard work into the book, like he does his concepts. Take some time to check it out! http://www.lulu.com/shop/brad-miclette/escape-from-the-fourth-dimension/paperback/product-21684861.html
  
  
Justin S. - Binghamton Senators Concept

Design: The Ottawa Senators have worn some pretty ugly uniforms, but their 2000 alternate was one of their best. Binghamton has been mirroring the look of Ottawa, and the jersey that Justin has created could be a good break from that habit. The hem pattern is inspired by the 2000 Ottawa jersey that I mentioned, and the shoulder stripe would be a new feature all together. The number inside of the circle is something new, and makes for a good TV number/shoulder patch hybrid.
  
Score: 8/10 - There are some very creative elements. I'd love to see something like this applied to some NHL teams.
 
 
Judah P. - Charlotte Hornets Concept

Design: One of my favorite things to do when looking at a concept is trying to figure out the artist's inspirations for their design. Judah has included all of them, and I really like how this concept was designed with so many different ideas in mind. The colors are unique to the NHL, with a little more experience, Judah could be onto something.
  
Score: 4.5/10 - The crest is a little low, and the number & name are too small. TV numbers would add a lot to this concept as well. Also make sure there aren't any loose pixels in your white background.
 
 
S2dio - Finland 2015 World Championships Concept

Design: I like that Finland uses a completely different design for the World Championships and the Olympics. Their Olympic jerseys this year were pretty much a photocopy of their nation's flag, but their World Championship jerseys are a lot more like classic hockey jerseys. The "Soumi" text that normally appears on the crest is replaced with "Finland" on this concept. The only other major change from Finland's 2014 World Championship jerseys is the arm and hem striping.
  
Score: 7/10 - Finland was dealt a really good color scheme to work with. This concept utilizes that well.
   
   
Nark24 - Ottawa Silver Wolves Concept

Design: Nark24 has created a concept team from his Sim League, and the jerseys look pretty familiar to me. This concept reminds me a lot of the 1992 Hartford Whalers uniforms. Although it wasn't nearly as good of a look as their original uniforms, I liked them. That being said, I like this concept. The crest is very fierce, and is very balanced for an asymmetrical crest.
  
Score: 8/10 - The yoke on the white jersey adds a whole lot. This is an awesome "made-up team" concept.
 
 
Phil B. - Anaheim Ducks Alternate Concept

Design: The Ducks looked great in orange in the Stadium Series, and their new redesign opens the door for an orange alternate. The gold pairs well with the black & orange, and is a very nice addition given the gold being nearly wiped off of the home & away uniforms. The squared off yoke is an incredibly catchy design element as well.
  
Score: 7.5/10 - The orange background is a huge distraction, and takes away from an otherwise cool jersey. Try sticking with a white or dark gray.
 
 
Ryan H. - Buffalo Sabres Alternate Concept

Design: Ryan has decided to "fix" Buffalo's alternate uniform by doing the only thing there is to do... start over. The Sabres look awesome in gray! A lot of people didn't like the wordmark below the collar, but I don't quite mind it. As always, the crossed swords captain's patch is very cool on the jersey. The pants with the gray stripe look a little funny to me. I think some yellow trim would help tie them into the uniform a little better.
  
Score: 7.5/10 - It is interesting seeing a realistic template being meshed with the cartoon/outline template. I like it though. I also want to mention how TV numbers are done with a piece of the 3 being carried onto the other side of the jersey. This has been a focus in recent weekend updates and could be the difference between moving on in the HJC Open!
 
 
Christian L. - Calgary Flames Concept

Design: From 1998 to 2007, the Flames have used a jersey that features a "V" shaped striping pattern on their hem.  Christian moves that pattern up to the chest, to demonstrate what a half/half colored uniform should look like (looking at you Buffalo). The way that the striping intersects with the flames on the crest is my favorite part of this concept. It is like this striping pattern was made for the chest. I also like how the black number outline blends into the black on the jersey. It kind of looks like the numbers are stretching up from the black region on the jersey.
  
Score: 7/10 - I wish that there was a way to incorporate some angled striping into the socks. I think it would bring the whole uniform together better.
 
 
L3 - Los Angeles Kings Concept

Design: When the Kings and Ducks faced off at Dodger Stadium, the NHL's Stadium Series cookie cutter template didn't allow for the Kings to experiment or incorporate a little baseball into their design. This concept looks great, but it's a touch hard to feel the Dodgers' in this concept due to the double outline on the numbers & crest. I see that the Dodgers inspiration is in the crest & placement of the number below the crest, but the Dodgers' uniforms are very simple and do not have any outlines.
  
Score: 7/10 - I think the pants could use a little blue to match the jersey & socks, but otherwise this concept is a home run!
 
 
Jake88 - San Jose Sharks Concept

Design: The recent Sharks redesign was one step in the right direction, but Jake's concept finishes the deal. I'm unhappy to see the yoke return on the white jersey, but that's the only thing that I don't like here. The wavy arm stripes didn't work for the Islanders but they look great here. I also like that yellow is a lot more prominent on this concept, and it really adds quite a bit. My favorite part of this concept, however, is the pants stripe. It is very cool, and would look great on the ice!
  
Score: 9/10 - This concept is my COTW nominee this week! Awesome job!
 
 
That's all folks! I seriously need a new sign off line so ideas are welcome in the comments. See you all next week!