Sunday: Traditional

Hello everyone! In a time of year typically dominated by old traditions, we have some jerseys to match! If you like concepts that have a more conservative tone, then have we got a post for you!

Speaking of traditions, do you have any hockey-related traditions at Christmas? I tried to get a tradition started a few years ago by taking my family to a hockey game in Nashville the day after Christmas against the Red Wings, but a very drunk woman got in a fight with my mother, and they didn't seem too keen to go to another one. Let us know how you incorporate hockey in the holidays!

One way you could start a new tradition is beginning a wonderful tradition of voting whenever you see the reminder bars on Sunday, when voting begins! What a novel concept...

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

Dallas Stars Concept - Jack D.

Positives: Some people want to see the gold come back into the Dallas color scheme. I'm not one, but I could see why some would want that.

Negatives: Pixelation is very heavy on the logos, which usually happens when they have been recolored. This is essentially just a recoloring of a Dallas template. *Yawns*

Overall: Not the cleanest, or most creative concept, but shows what Dallas may have looked like if they had decided to keep the gold. (6.75/10)

Reading Royals Concept - Ryan C.

Positives: I like the striping pattern on all three jerseys, but the white third is wonderful. I especially love how well the number is executed on the back of that jersey, keeping it withing the striping. Purple is an underutilized color in hockey, and this set makes good use of it. 

Negatives: There is more than one shade of black on these jerseys. The jerseys themselves are more of a charcoal black, but the logos and numbers are a true black. It's not a huge difference, but it is noticeable.

Overall: That third really elevates this set. (8.25/10)

Chicago Wolves Alternate Jersey - Kaner88

Positives: Continuing with light alternate jerseys, this one features a good striping pattern. I would actually prefer if logo didn't feature the wolf head at all, but more on that later.

Negatives: The jersey seems almost out-of-focus in comparison to the logo. It's an odd effect. I absolutely hate the Wolves' logo. It looks like a poor collection of clip art, and a wolf head borrowed from a local Junior High. 

Overall: Logo notwithstanding, this is a pretty solid alternate. (8/10)

Dallas Stars Concept - Jack H.

Positives: Execution and presentation are very good. That's been Jack's strength as a designer so far. The emphasis here is on green, as it should be.

Negatives: My main beef is this: if you take the logos off, this could be a set for just about any team. It reminds me of the cheap generic NHL jerseys they make for toddlers and small children. 

Overall: The overall design doesn't feel specific enough to Dallas. (7.75/10)

New Jersey Concept - Jack H.

Positives: I really the yoke design on these jerseys. It gives the Devils a touch of extra character to their set that they could really use. Execution and presentation are pluses as well.

Negatives: I would like to see angled striping on the hem and arms as well. People just don't get radical enough with Devils jerseys. I think people have just accepted over the years that this is a team that is never going to do anything new.

Overall: That yoke is a great design that deserves an equally fresh set to match. (8/10)

Alabama-Huntsville Chargers Concept - Brady S.

Positives: Execution is solid. Blue and black is and underrated color scheme, and these jerseys use it pretty well. Tampa Bay uses  a similar color scheme to this, and they could use more black.

Negatives: I've never liked diagonal wordmarks. I give the Rangers a pass because they've always done it, but even then, I still prefer their shield logo. The baseball-esque logo treatment of the third jersey doesn't strike a chord with me either. It's just really conservative.

Overall: This is a far from innovative, but Alabama is a very conservative place (speaking from experience) so they would probably like it. (7.5/10)

Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves - Brady S.

Positives: I love the native northwestern design in the Anchorage logo. I can't remember what that form of artwork is called. I think it starts with an H...it's driving me crazy. Anyway, I really like the color scheme here. Green and gold is one of my favorite athletic colors, and the reason why the Green Bay Packers have my favorite NFL jerseys. Execution is good.

Negatives: These are still pretty similar to the designs above. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they are recolors, but the designs are very similar. 

Overall: Love the logo and color scheme, but I wish the striping played off the art direction of the logo. That would make the set more unique. (7.5/10)

Sherbrooke Phoenix Concept - Jake88

Positive: Jake88 is one of the best improved artists on HJC this year. I've very much enjoyed some of his work recently. Presentation and execution are unimpeachable. Sherbrooke has a great logo and colors in my opinion. If they had a more unique and interesting jersey set, they could have one of the best looks in minor league hockey. 

Negatives: The design is over-striped for me. It's also very traditional, which doesn't seem to be the most natural complement to the logo.

Overall: Very well executed alternate, but a little too "1920s" for me. (8.5/10)

That's all for today's post. Sorry it was approximately 5 minutes later than normal. Holidays, finals week, (finals week is just as busy for us teachers) and whatnot. See you all back here tomorrow for Dylan's post!

(*update* 4:21: Just realized I didn't give Jake88's concept a rating. I just added that)