Friday: Olympics Update

Hey y'all and welcome to another Friday post here at HJC.  Buckle up, because we're about to give an update on the jerseys used for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. 

DenverPost

They're still... just, awful.  There's really no other way to describe a cookie cutter template that misses the mark so much and yet is still mandated to be worn.  With the lack of NHL talent and the gaudy uniform designs, it's almost painful to watch these games.  Some may be saying "But that's because they're so late at night!", which would be true if it weren't for the fact that I am a writer for a hockey site, and thus a night owl by trade and definition.  I wish I could blame jet lag on the athletes' lackluster performances, but in all honesty, it's just that they're mostly names we don't recognize, and there's a reason for that.  Granted, these guys are still phenomenal athletes and could easily skate circles around myself and everyone reading this, but they're still not NHL caliber players.  Having an international event to determine which nation is the best and not allowing the top athletes to participate is akin to having a toughest dog competition and only allowing Shih Tzus.  Sure, you're going to determine a winner from the talent pool, but the talent pool has been diluted.  Many of you know of my personal grievances and conspiracy theories involving commissioner Gary Bettman, but this is by far his worst offense in my book.  He can hide behind "player safety" all he wants, but the players are just as likely to get hurt during regular NHL games.  The real reason he pulled out of the Olympics is that he saw it as a revenue drain to shut down the league for a few weeks, which in my opinion is short sighted.  Sure, it may cost revenue now, but how many casual viewers would tune into the Olympic hockey games and be inspired by the play of athletes like Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, and Zuccarello (Heia Norge) and decide to start watching the NHL to recapture that excitement? In my opinion, this is a huge missed opportunity for the league, and there are plenty of players that agree with me. So please, Mr. Bettman, if you're reading this, don't skip the next Olympics or you'll just end up with more disgruntled players and wasted chances at attracting more fans.

In voting news, we have the regular COTW vote for February 9-15 as well as The Season Week Three vote, both of which end Friday at noon EST. Check out Ryan's Saturday Rundown tomorrow to view the current standings heading into week three.

 COTW Feb 9-15 vote (ends Friday @ noon EST) 

 The Season Week 3 vote (ends Friday @ noon EST) 

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Now on to today's concepts!

Alexander W.- Sarnia Sting

Our first concept of the day is Alexander W.'s design for the Sarnia Sting.  I appreciate making a matching set, something that their current jerseys frustratingly do not do.  I also like the logo choices, taking the logos from the current home and applying to the design of the current away looks really good.  That being said, this is a bit of a basic design, and I would have liked to have seen a set based off of their current alternate, which I think is the strongest jersey design they have.   The yellow cuffs are unnecessary, as the gloves would cover them up.  I also would have liked to have seen gear for this set, just to get a better idea of the overall look.  Final verdict: a decent looking set, but a little bland for my taste.  7.5/10

Ben S.- LA Kings

Next up is the latest entry in Ben S.'s NHL Thirds Series, this one for the LA Kings.  This set is so delightfully over the top, and I love the return of the gold and purple color scheme rather than their current black and silver.  The striping that takes design cues from the crown logo is gorgeous, and even though the hem stripe isn't matching, it doesn't bug me as much as it normally would because it fits with the logo.  The contrasting upper arm and cuffs do a great job of keeping the purple from being too overpowering, so good work there.  Font choice for name and numbers works perfectly, and the breezers look great.  My only gripe is the socks, I would either flip it so that purple is the dominant color, or swap it to match the hem stripe and lower main body of the jersey.  Final verdict: a great looking third for the Kings that is somehow ostentatious without being too over the top, which is what a third should be.  9/10 and my COTW NOMINEE!!!!!

Danny R.- Camrose Kodiaks

Our next concept is Danny R.'s first of the day, this one for the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL.  I like the minimal use of bronze in this set, it's a tough color to work into this scheme, but it works here.  That being said, I'm confused as to why you would include it in the color scheme and not use the logo with the bronze in it.  I also like the consistent striping across the set, as well as the contrasting cuffs.  While I'm not usually a fan of phantom yokes, I think it works on the dark jersey because it matches the striping and it's not crowding a shoulder patch.  Gear looks good, but I wish there was some striping on the breezers.  Final verdict: not a bad looking set for the Kodiaks.  8/10

Danny R.- Canmore Eagles

Danny's second concept of the day is for another AJHL team, this time the Canmore Eagles.  Danny is obviously a regular reader of the site, as he's picked up on our two weaknesses with this set: a double blue color scheme and a white yoke.  I love both choices, and the simple striping works great.  That being said, it is not lost on me that this is just a recolored Oilers set without the yoke striping, so the lack of creativity there is a little upsetting.  Additionally, the elimination of yellow from the logo makes it almost indiscernible, it sort of just becomes a jumbled mess.  Finally, I'm not a big fan of the collar on the light jersey, it becomes too white at the front.  Make either the laces or the pentagon blue, or better yet, make the pentagon match the collar and the laces the lighter blue, and I think it would look much better.  Final verdict: while I love the double blue and white yoke, the lack of creativity and the collar issues detract from this design for me.  7/10

Noah K.- Cavaliers

Our final concept of the day is another Drum Corps International design from Noah K., this time for the Cavaliers.  I really like that the color scheme similar to the Stars didn't pull you into their design, I appreciate making this one its own.  The black yokes work well on both jerseys, and the simple striping looks good.  that being said, I'm not sure about the hem stripe being so low, that's more of a modern look for an otherwise classic looking jersey.  The logo and font choices are great, and I especially like the inclusion of information about the shoulder patch, it's a nice touch and it shows you care about the details.  Gear looks good, but I wish you had included some striping on the breezers.  Final verdict: a good looking set, and a good entry into an intriguing series.  8.5/10

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