Wednesday: Hanging Up The Skates

There comes a time in every player's career when they are forced to make the most difficult decision: when to retire. A couple of very big opportunities were presented to me at school, and I couldn't pass them up. Unfortunately, this means that I will have to leave my writing position here on HJC. Although my tenure wasn't as long as I had originally hoped for, it was by far the most fun way to collaborate on HJC. Although you will no longer see my posts after next Wednesday, you sure as will see my concepts in contests and on the daily posts. Thanks to Ryan, the rest of the HJC writers, and most importantly all of the artists for the great experience.
  
As I shift to the post, I want to explain how excited I was to see a DEL contest! I have thought for a while that the DEL features some of the best logos in all of overseas hockey. From the Red Bulls to the Roosters, there are endless possibilities for concepts. Like most contests, the entries are due on Friday before Midnight.
   
Did I mention that TG is fighting himself and Jake88 for this week's COTW crown? Check out the concepts and vote because all three concepts all have different feels to them. This is bound to be a tight battle!
 

COTW Aug 25-31 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

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

 
Here are the concepts!
 
Connor J. - Calgary Flames Alternate Concept

Design: Connor's concept uses a feature that a Calgary Flames jersey has never used before: a curved hem stripe. It looks really sharp, especially on a black jersey. I know people don't tend to like black alternate uniforms, but the Flames are a team that should definitely have one. I don't like all of the different thicknesses of yellow striping. The nameplate also looks a little bit small to me, but I think that was just font choice.
  
Score: 7/10 - Very cool concept. It gets me fired up for the rest of the post!
  
 
VKB - Bello Billionairs Concept

Design: It must be the black, red, and yellow that got hooked my eye to start the post, but this is another great looking concept. The simple striping looks great with the custom number font. I wish that all of the yellow outlines on both the stripes and number were all a uniform width. Also the hem striping would look a lot better if the thickness matched the arm stripes.
  
Score: 6/10 - Definitely add TV numbers, and I think that a shoulder patch of some sort would make this concept look really cool.
 
 
Coby S. - Team Sweden Concept

Design: Coby tries a Finland-style design, where the design of the country's flag is the uniform design. I'm not opposed to Sweden trying this as an alternate, but the 3 crowns are very absent from the design. I actually own a Team Sweden jersey, and I love the look of it. Like I said, I wouldn't want to see it go away, but this would make a great alternate.
  
Score: 7/10 - This concept is really cool, but goes way overboard with the stripes on the socks and pants. Without that striping, this concept could be an 8.
 
 
Mario A. - Denver Cutthroats Concept

Design: The Denver Cutthroats only lasted a couple of years, and in my opinion the jerseys that they wore didn't deserve any longer. They lacked a hem stripe, which made the sweaters feel very empty like the San Jose Sharks new "lightweight" uniforms. Mario has come quite a long way since his first big wave of concepts. The striping pattern on both uniforms looks very sharp, fitting given the team is called the Cutthroats. No complaints on the design of the green jersey. I like that the yoke is green, unlike the arms and hem, but I think that the other regions could use some more green for balance.
  
Score: 7.5/10 - The crest is very small, and the white rectangle wasn't removed from the crest on the white jersey. Otherwise, there isn't anything that I'd change.
 
 
J3 - Prince George Cougars Alternate Concept

Design: The Cougars currently have a very friendly looking logo, which isn't really the type of identity that you'd want as a hockey team. J3's concept replaces the old crest with a meaner, more traditional looking crest. The striping reminds me a lot of the Calgary uniforms, more specifically the alternate. This uniform would undoubtedly be a great addition to the Cougar's uniform lineup.
  
Score: 8.5/10 - I think a special shoulder crest would look better than the "PG" text, but I also like this concept exactly how it is.
 
 
Matt M. - Dallas Stars Soccer Concept

Design: Matt's take on the Dallas Stars as a soccer team is a very literal translation of the team's hockey uniforms into a soccer kit. The striping is very much the same as the home & away uniforms. There are two very big changes to the uniform. First, the sublimated stars add texture, something that is much more important on a soccer jersey than a hockey jersey. Next, unlike many hockey to soccer concepts that I've seen, the sponsor doesn't adopt the team's colors. I don't mind the look on this concept, but I don't that that approach would look good on every concept.
  
Score: 8/10 - I still think that the Stars need a number outline, but that's not Matt's fault.
   
 
Matt M. - Colorado Avalanche Soccer Concept

Design: Since nothing on the Avs' uniforms are worth transferring to a soccer jersey, (or any other kind of jersey for that matter) Matt has gone is a completely different direction with this concept. The design elements that he uses are very unique to soccer uniforms. The mountains are the best part of this concept, and I agree 100% with Matt's move to restrict the mountains to the white portion of the white jersey. Finally, the recolored Pepsi logo looks surprisingly good.
  
Score: 9/10 - Well, here's another soccer concept that gets my COTW vote! Nice work!
   
   
Well that's that. Next time I write a post, it will be my last here on HJC in the foreseeable future. See you next time!