Wednesday: The 30th

Instead of talking about the playoffs or a new jersey design, I want to talk about one of the most notable players in the league to wear number 30. Martin Brodeur has played his entire NHL career with the New Jersey Devils. In this day and age, seeing a player stick with one team throughout his entire career is very rare. Brodeur has had such a big impact on the game of hockey. He has won three Stanley Cups and has carried the Devils to the playoffs in almost every season of his career. The trapezoid rule is said to be in response to Brodeur's playing style, and who knows how much longer he has to play. He'll be a hall of famer for sure.

***EDIT BY RYAN***

Do you want to be a part of the writing team here at HJC? Now's your chance! Click here to get all the info you'll need to apply to be a HJC Writer. The deadline to apply is May 9.

I also want to remind everyone about the HJC Meet-Up happening July 12 in Toronto. More importantly I want to remind everyone of the awesome prizes that will be raffled off during the Meet-Up. A white Rangers Lady Liberty jersey, a 2014 Team Canada jersey, and a replica Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup ring. Be a part of HJC history by going to the HJC MEET-UP page for all of the details.

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Here at HJC, we have a playoff vote! This isn't something we see often here so make sure you take part! As long as you are voting for the Steel Drop Competition champion, you might as well vote for COTW as well. We are also in the middle of the Cleveland Barons Redesign Competition as well, so get your entries in before the deadline!

COTW Apr 21-27 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Oilers Playoff vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Barons ReDesign entries (due Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Before I get to today's concepts, here are the newest contest entries:

Alex J.

 
Phil B.

   
Jets96

   
Danny

  
Stuart R.

  
Caden P.

   
Finally, today's concepts...
    
S2dio - Wien Yodels Concept

Design: Today's first concepts are S2dio's last two concepts in his European Division series. This one caught my eye as one of my favorite as it has a fun look to it in my opinion. The striping is pretty unique, and I really like the crest. These remind me of a lot of some AHL St. Patrick's Day uniforms and I think those always look good.
    
Score: 8.5/10 - This concept is one of my favorite in the series, I guess I'll start today's post with my COTW Nomination!
   
   
S2dio - Zurich Swiss Blades Concept

Design: Congratulations to S2dio on completing this series! Every concept has looked great and I can't wait to see what he has in store next. This concept reminds me of a red Nordiques jersey. I really like the striping incorporating the Swiss flag. The logo that has been slightly modified from the original version looks very good on this concept. Once again, great job on this series! I know everyone enjoyed all of the concepts.
    
Score: 8/10 - A very clean concept, but I wish that the numbers would also follow the contour of the template's shading and folds.
 
  
Josiah B. - New York Rangers Home Concept

Design: We have seen some of Josiah's concepts this week, and I would like to personally welcome him to the HJC community! I really like the idea that Josiah is conveying in this concept. I think a New York City themed jersey would be a great idea for the Rangers. The color scheme looks great, but I think the numbers and "NYC" script should have a red outline to add some detail. I also think that the "New York" on the hem stripe is unnecessary and very hard to see.
    
Score: 5/10 - I know that this is one of Josiah's first concepts so I am going to give him some tips so that he can be a COTW contender in no time. I personally think that the numbers and crest are too large and the nameplate is too small. The number on the right breast is also too small. Make sure that the numbers and crest are also centered on the jersey. Also, check out the tutorial page. It has some really helpful and interesting information.
  
  
Josiah B. - New York Rangers Away Concept

Design: This design uses the same striping as the Rangers Winter Classic jersey. I think that using the phrase "Empire State" on the jersey would be pretty cool. It's kind of like the NBA's "Rip City" or "Motor City" jerseys. I think this jersey has a lot of potential, and I like bringing the Winter Classic striping back.
    
Score: 5.5/10 - The nameplate is about the right proportion to the number, but both are still a bit large. Refer to my comments above. I think Josiah is on the right track though.
 
  
Stephen T. - Czech Republic Concept

Design: As always, Stephen's international concepts are much better than the ones Nike unveiled. I really like the white jersey. I think that the arm striping and yoke make for a really good looking jersey. The thin number font is really cool on the back of this concept. The red jersey looks a little bit plain and could use something to add some detail.
    
Score: 7/10 - There are a few minor errors that detract from this concept. The crests are a little bit off center, and I think the nameplate could be a touch larger.
 
  
Stephen T. - Germany Concept

Design: I think that Stephen's second concept is a lot more interesting. I like that the white socks are very cool in that they make up the Germany flag. I like the arm striping that also makes up the Germany flag. The shoulder yoke looks very good on this concept as well.
    
Score: 7/10 - The crests are also off center on this concept. However, I do like this concept a lot.
 
  
Tristian M. - Boston Bruins Alternate Concept

Design: Ever since I attended a Bruins game, I have really liked the Bruins jerseys. Boston could really use a yellow alternate. The arm striping is a very modern approach to a Bruins jersey, and I think it would look really good with the classic home & away. The last time CCM was branded on an NHL jersey, the league was full of many classic designs. CCM has since rebranded, and a return to the NHL jerseys could be great way to implement a modern look like this one.
    
Score: 7.5/10 - Great concept! I'd drop the white on the pants though. I think a yellow stripe would look better.
   
    
Mike S. - Edmonton Oilers Steel Drop Concept

Design: I remember when the steel drop jersey first came out, as one of my friends had one personalized. I think this concept is really cool, as it meshes a classic striping pattern with a modern crest and some piping. The pants stripe is my favorite part of this concept. The number and name font is also very cool on this concept.
    
Score: 6/10 - I think the striping at the wrists is not necessary. It makes the sleeves look busy and distracted from the rest of the striping. I really like that the same striping is continued throughout the jersey, stripes, and pants. It really brings the whole concept together.
  
   
Jake88 - Bemidji State Beavers Concept

Design: Bemidji State's hockey jerseys look like classic college hockey jerseys with name arched across the front & a number below. Jake gets a little bit more creative with this concept. The wordmark looks great on the front of a jersey. The striping is very cool too. I like how it is not symmetrical on the white jersey. It reminds me of the Stars new away jersey.
    
Score: 8/10 - Great concept! The striping is unique, and these jerseys would look great against other college teams.
 
  
David P. - Los Angeles Kings Alternate Concept

Design: When the Kings unveiled their Stadium Series jerseys this season, the idea of a gray alternate for the Kings have swept through the HJC community. I think that a gray alternate would be the perfect opportunity to bring back the crown logo as a primary crest. The jersey is a very modern design, and I don't feel that the strings on the collar really fit the look. Other than that, this is a good looking design.
    
Score: 6/10 - Although this is a cool design, there are a lot of items that are pixelated. The number, name, crest, and wordmark are all pixelated. Try larger quality images in the future, because this concept is on the right track to being great.
 
 
Christian L. - NHL All Star Game Concept

Design: The NHL played a red vs. blue game for the first time in recent history. I think that the All Star Game would look a lot better if it was a red vs. blue game. I think the blue vs. white/red looks awkward, and Christian's concept looks like a great replacement for the NHL's current All Star jerseys. The All Star Game has always been an opportunity for the NHL to experiment with different designs and they have used their opportunity quite well. The NHL All Star Game has produced a couple terrible designs, but many of the jerseys have been very innovative. The diagonal striping is a very new design feature and I really like the white on the hem.
    
Score: 8.5/10 - I love when professional sports experiment with new uniform concepts at the All Star game. This would make for a great looking game! The blue is even a lighter shade of blue so that there wouldn't be any trouble viewing the game on TV.

 
That's all for today! Don't forget to vote, and best of luck to your team in the playoffs!