Wednesday: Summer Hockey?

So we've all been talking about the playoffs, but how cool is it that hockey stretches so far into the summer? I love that hockey's stretches all the way until June! My Blackhawks finally beat the Blues and are now down 2-1. I just hope they play until June...
    
I am very close to finalizing my summer plans and I am looking to see how the HJC Meet-Up fits into my schedule. I hope everyone can make it, as it would be very cool if everyone who interacts on the site could all come together in Toronto. I hope I will be able to make it, and I hope everyone will join Ryan for the best HJC Weekend Update ever!
   
Make sure to email Ryan if you are interested in going, and email him your votes while you are at it. All of the Steel Drop entries have been posted, just click on the banner to view the entries and vote! Don't forget to vote for COTW as well.
    

COTW April 14-20 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern time)

Oilers Steel Drop Top 5 votes (due Friday @ 11:59PM Eastern time

    
Here are today's entries!
   
Alan H. - Chatham-Kent Roadrunners Concept

Design: Alan has given us a concept from the Roadrunners competition. My first impression is that the colors are very unique, and look great together. I like the simplicity of the crest compared to others I have seen from this competition, and the stripe on the pants looks really good. I would pair the white jersey with a white helmet, but I understand given that this is an OHL concept.
    
Score: 8/10 - This template and striping really complements the colors of Alan's concept. I hope someone nominates this concept for COTW, but you'll have to keep reading for my pick.
   
   
Brian B. - Montreal Quebecors Concept

Design: I feel like I have seen this jersey before... Oh, it's the Spokane Chiefs! Just kidding, the Montreal Canadiens made this jersey pattern famous, and it has been a staple in the NHL nearly forever. I don't know if Brian is suggesting that the Canadiens should rebrand or if this would act as a minor league affiliate, but I think this would be a great concept for a minor league team.
    
Score: 6.5/10 - There isn't much beyond the crest that sets this concept apart from the Canadiens' uniforms. However, that crest is done well.
   
   
Brian B. - Montreal Quebecors Alternate Concept

Design: Some may say that this is a team that can't find it's identity, but I say that Brian did a great job of incorporating Quebec's hockey heritage into a single jersey. The fleur-de-lis along the hem and shoulders is an homage to the Nordiques tenure in Quebec, and the striping is a nod to the Canadiens' jerseys. Canadian hockey fans might hate me, but I would actually like to see the Canadiens try something like this. Maybe just as a one game promotion.
    
Score: 7/10 - This is a really cool concept that showcases many features from different teams from the same province.
 
  
TG - Little Rock Roadrunners Alternate Concept

Design: TG has given his Roadrunners contest entry and alternate jersey! I haven't seen anyone bring a contest entry back and add to it. I wish more people would do this. I don't necessarily like how the large diagonal stripe across the front and back of the jersey just stops at the right shoulder. I think it looks awkward where it stops. I also think the name should be black. It is pretty difficult to read white on light gray.
    
Score: 7/10 - I don't know where the phrase "keep it simple stupid" came from, because this concept is simple, but also looks really good.
  
  
Stuart R. - West Ham United FC Concept

Design: West Ham has a very unique color scheme of burgundy, gold, and aqua, but it looks really good on a hockey jersey. In fact, it reminds me of the Avalanche colors a little bit. I like the white jersey much better than the dark one. I think the chest stripe looks really good with one color on top of the other as opposed to a symmetric stripe. The gold numbers also look great on this concept.
    
Score: 7.5/10 - I have said before that I am not a huge soccer fan, but I sure do like this concept.
  
  
Chritian L. - Washington Capitals Concept

Design: I am not sure how much longer fans will let the "Weagle" logo not appear as a primary crest. I like the stars on the shoulder that come from the Caps' early uniforms as well as their Winter Classic jersey from a couple years back. The stripes on the arms and hem look really good. They remind me of wings of an eagle, but I have one major concern about this design. The stripes look good while the jersey lays flat, but I don't know how good the design will look while on a player in motion. The only way we will know is if we put this jersey in action.
    
Score: 7.5/10 - The only way we will know how this concept looks is if we put this jersey in action!
   
   
Stephen T. - Boston Bruins Concept

Design: Stephen makes some large but subtle changes to the Bruins current uniform set. The biggest change is that the yellow and white have been switched in the stripes and numbers. Boston has only worn striping similar to this in the 50's and 60's. I am not a huge fan of the new coloration, but the concept is executed quite well.
    
Score: 7/10 - I would have liked to see some more different design elements, but there isn't really anything different.
   
   
Stephen T. - Chicago Blackhawks Concept

Design: The Blackhawks wore black uniforms similar to these from 1937 through 1955. The striping on the jersey and socks was altered many times throughout this design's existence, and this concept is very similar to the version that Chicago started wearing in 1951. What is really different about this concept is the white jersey. The Hawks' white jersey was never similar to their black jersey when they wore this design. I really like this white version of the black jersey. I think it would be cool if the Blackhawks would wear something like this for a future Winter Classic.
    
Score: 8/10 - This concept would be an 8.5 but the crests look a touch small, and the crest on the white jersey is off-centered.
 
 
Dylan W. - 2016 Winter Classic Concept

Design: I'll start with Dylan's Blues jersey. The blues have had pretty much the same look up until 1995, when red took over, and then in 1997 when the two shades of blue first appeared in an alternate jersey. I really like how Dylan incorporated pinstripes into this design. I have tried to do this in designs of my own, but never really knew how to successfully integrate them. As for the Colorado jersey, I like how the colors go back to the Colorado Rockies organization. A jersey like this has never been seen in Colorado, but I think a Winter Classic would be a great place to debut this design. I also like the choice of cream over white.
    
Score: 8.5/10 - I thought that the Chicago Winter Classic was cold. I can't imagine what Colorado would be like.
 
  
David P. - Blue Mountain State Concept

Design: Blue Mountain State is my favorite TV show, and I was very excited to review this concept! BMS had an episode that featured the school's hockey team, but only their orange jersey was shown. It screamed college hockey, similar to David's blue and white concepts. I love the diagonal text, where can I get one of these? In season 3, episode 1, the Chad Ochocinco makes a guest appearance wearing an orange alternate football jersey which is much different from the design of the team's home & away jerseys. I like that David's orange alternate follows suit as the striping is very different from the other jerseys in this concept.
    
Score: 8.5/10 - If you like this concept or the show, make sure you pitch in a few dollars to their fundraiser for a BMS Movie. That should be awesome!
   
   
TG - San Jose Sharks Alternate Concept

Design: TG's second concept of the day is very different from anything I have ever seen on a hockey jersey. First, the shield logo is used as the crest, which is something that I think the Sharks should try on an alternate uniform. The striping reminds me of the MLB's Houston Astros' throwback uniforms and their current batting practice jerseys. I think this would look great on the ice, maybe for a white-out night? I would hate to reserve this white alternate for the road. The striped numbers is definitely a huge improvement from the striped numbers that the Predators wear on their jerseys.
    
Score: 9/10 - COTW Nomination! TG's out of the box thinking is what won me over. I love how orange is taken completely out of the question.
   
   
That's all for today! Remember to vote, vote, vote. And enjoy the rest of the first round!