Thursday: Boyle Strong

Hey y'all, and welcome to another Thursday post by TC!

It is with a heavy heart that I announce probably the worst news that I have ever had to report here on HJC.  New Jersey Devils center Brian Boyle announced on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, a form of bone marrow cancer.  While it was caught early on and has been described by team doctors as "largely treatable with medications", it is still never good news to hear that a member of the hockey community is fighting such a serious illness.

Tampa Bay Times

As a Rangers fan, I have watched Boyle play in countless games, including during the Rangers' campaign for the finals in 2014.  After stints with the Lightning and the Leafs, Boyle arrived in New Jersey this offseason, and has yet to play for the Devils, but his positive prognosis gives reason to believe that we will be seeing him in red sometime in the future.  Until then, stay strong, Brian, and know that the hockey community is with you.  

In voting news,we have the regular COTW vote for September 8-14, as well as entries for the Arena Logo Competition, both of which end tomorrow at noon EST.  

COTW vote September 8-14 (ends Friday @ noon EST)

Arena Logo Competition entries (due Friday @ noon EST)

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Now on to today's concepts!

Alan H.- Detroit Red Wings

Our first concept of the day is Alan H.'s design for the Red Wings.  Alan seems to have stuck with the Wings' traditional look, which I think is a good way to avoid being murdered by the Detroit faithful.  I like the modernized D logo as a shoulder patch, it's a solid logo that I think still fits with the more classic look.  While I do commend you for using the two different coloring choices of the logo, you have reversed them from their traditional use, and it's really bugging me.  I just don't like that white wing on the red jersey.  While the number font could work with the more modern looking D logo, it's way too futuristic for such a classic looking jersey.  My main issue with this set, however, is that it's essentially just their actual set with a new font and a shoulder patch.  I think this is why we rarely see Wings concepts, it's so classic that it's seen as untouchable, and so there is little room to be creative and give it your own style.  Final verdict: not a bad take on the wings, but not that creative either.  6.5/10

Alan H.- Pittsburgh Penguins

Alan's second submission of the day is a design for the reigning cup champs, the Pens.  This set seems to be a combination of their 80s and early 00s sets, and I really like the idea of combining the two eras.  I've always been more of a fan of the RoboPen than most, so I'm happy to see it as a shoulder patch here.  The arms are essentially the 80s set with the angle swapped so that the lowest point is on the outer arm rather than closer to the body, which is a somewhat lateral move in my eyes.  While I understand the intent to match the angle of the arm striping, I'm not a fan of the triangular yoke, it never has looked good in my opinion.  The side panel striping is a good idea, but you moved it way too far up the body, and it just clutters up the design and makes it look awkward.  If you look at the early 00s set, it ends around the top of the penguin's skate, instead of here where it extends up above the logo.  Move it down to better match the original design and I think you've got a winner.  Final verdict: the idea is there, but a little better execution would vastly improve it.  7/10

Jets96- Elmira Jackals

Next up we have our very own Jets96 with a design for the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL.  I'm going to be honest, Jets, I'm surprised you did a redesign for a team whose current set so closely resembles your beloved Buffaslug design.  That being said, this is a pretty decent set for the Jackals.  The simple striping pattern works well, but I would have thickened up the top stripe that matches the contrasting cuffs and hem.  I like the collar design, but hate that collar style (it doesn't look all that great and it's harder to fit your head through).  I like the striping on the breezers, but I'm a little confused as to why you didn't use the grey instead of white as you did when it was surrounded by nave on the white set.  Final verdict: a decent set for the Jackals, but some design choices confuse me.  7.5/10

Jets96- Orlando Solar Bears

Jets' second concept of the day is a design for the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears.  As a pun enthusiast, I like the Solar Bears' identity, but their color scheme has always seemed a little too busy to me.  Their 2015 redesign did a good job of improving on their previous nightmare of a jersey,it still only used half of the color palette.  Jets does a good job here of bringing all of the colors of the Solar Bears' identity into the design.  The striping is reminiscent of a horizon at sunset, and looks really sharp against the blue.  The contrasting cuffs and hem do a good job of helping the color balance, and the gear does a good job of bringing purple into the mix.  I just wish there was a little more purple in the jerseys to tie it all together.  Final verdict: a decent set, but that color scheme is still a little out there.  7.5/ 10

Kevin D.- Tampa Bay Lightning

Next up is Kevin D. with a design for a third uniform set for the Lightning.  The Lightning look better in black.  There, I said it.  I know we talk a lot about black-for-black's-sake on this site, but the Bolts look better in black than they do in Leafs knockoffs.  Accordingly, I really like this set.  The use of the alternate logo is a good choice for an alternate, and I like the simple color blocking on the arms.  The bolt in the striping on the breezers is a must, and I'm glad to see that it's kept here.  I'm not sure how much I like the blue yoke, and I'm not a huge can of a white collar on a black jersey.  Final verdict: a good design that I wouldn't mind seeing the Bolts use as a third. 9/10 and my COTW NOMINEE!!!!!

Lucas D.- Vegas Golden Knights

Our final concept of the day is Lucas D.'s design for the Golden Knights.  I really like the sublimated star in the gold stripe, it's a nice nod to the city of Las Vegas.  The red outline on the main crest is a great way to tie in more red, and such a simple fix that I can't believe I haven't seen it before.  Font is good, and solid shoulder patch choice.  My only lament is the lack of steel grey in this design, which I think could be easily fixed by adding a thin stripe on top of the gold.  Other than that, just add a logo to the breezers and you're golden.  Final verdict: a good third design for the Golden Knights, but it needs a little bit more steel grey.  8.5/10

That's all for me today, see y'all next week!