Wednesday: Out West

Howdy and Happy Wednesday!

So I won't be talking about the Final itself, because, everyone else this week probably will, so I won't bore you, and also because I don't wanna talk about it for reasons. But what I do want to talk about is HATS.

So, at the beginning of the Playoffs, I pointed out how much I loved the "Playoff" hats that the players had been wearing. I also pointed out that in the past, the next season's draft hats are often debuted. I had assumed that these playoff hats were the 2015 draft hats, since Reebok made a version of the hat for EVERY team...when...like...c'mon let's be real, if these were ONLY "Playoff" hats they wouldn't have even made an Edmonton or Buffalo one! I KID I KID.... kind of.

Well, as the Finals started last week, we were introduced to the actual draft hats! As soon as the players started wearing them in interviews and on the bench, the hats were listed at Lids.com as "NHL 2015 Draft w/ Stanley Cup Patch Cap"... So if these AREN'T the draft hats, then I give up.

Personally I like the "Playoff Hats" much better. There's nothing wrong with the draft hats, but I find them to be bleh. I typically don't like anything to be on the bills of my hats so that's probably why I'm very bleeeh. I'd like to see if there were other colorways on the Hawks hat because I feel like it could be better. The Bolts one is pretty decent though.

What do you guys think about the hats? Which do you prefer? Here's all of them together if that helps...

Anyway, enough about headwear... I could go on for days but I'll keep myself from boring you...

Instead, let's talk about voting! Logo voting for the HJC Open started yesterday, and don't forget about the COTW/COTY Voting going on!

DON'T FORGET! COTY-MAY VOTE IS ON THE SIDE OF THE PAGE
COTW VOTING IS STILL BY EMAIL

HJC Open Logo entries (due Tuesday @ noon Eastern time)

COTY-May voting (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern time)

COTW May 31 - June 6 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Onto the concepts...As the title of the post suggests, every team featured today, except for two, are from out West.

San Diego Gulls Concept - Dylan G.

The Gulls have an interesting color scheme. I personally really like the addition of the blue and loss of the bronze. Overall, you can see the resemblance to the Ducks, their parent club, but it is unique to themselves. With these jerseys, the color balance is off. There should be more black in the white uniform, and at least a little bit of white in the black uniform. Also, black socks for the black jersey, socks that don't match the jersey bug me, ask the Bruins. Lastly, I think the overall design of the jersey is too simple for the Gulls. I mean, I think it 'could' work, but think of their parent club and then look at their logo. They'll probably go for something more dynamic, so it'd be fun to play with that idea.

Rating: 5/10


2016 Stadium Series - Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild Concepts - J-Rob

Firstly... You don't need to have Ryan's signature. It's one thing to feature the HJC logo since the image is here, and it's cool to give Ryan credit for the template. But some people might assume Ryan made the whole concept and not you. Plus Ryan may not want people to think he's created a concept he had nothing to do with. At least I wouldn't... Aaaaaanyway

 I've been over my personal criteria for a good Stadium Series concept. Not everyone agreed with me but we're all allowed opinions. So I'll go over that again... Both uniforms follow the same design... Team specific chest stripes and arm stripes, squared off hems, arched names, and huuuuge numbers. But overall, I think the designs are too close to 2015's Stadium Series jerseys. But this is only a concept so I won't look too much into any of that. Now onto each team...

For the second year in a row the Blackhawks would be wearing a white specialty jersey. I think it would help set this jersey apart from their away jersey and 2015 Winter Classic jersey by changing up the striping. It kind of bugs me that the chest stripes are so much thicker than the sleeve stripes. Also, what's with the diagonal sleeve stripes? Why doesn't Minnesota have them? I prefer horizontal striping. Overall not bad, but could be improved and should try to look different from their past jerseys. Lastly, don't recolor the logos. I understand the C is recolored to match the Chicago flag, but the baby blue just doesn't fit in. Plus, the Hawks have what some would call untouchable logos. Odds are, you won't improve them (Or any logo for that matter) by recoloring them.

Rating: 6/10

No beige. weird to see on a green Minnesota jersey. I don't mind it, especially for an event that has used experimental/modern jersey designs. So maybe ditching the vintage looking beige color for white. I'm in. The jersey comes off as very traditional, but I think with the hem and collar, you could get away with saying this is modern. I think it would fit the bill. Lastly, I'd ditch the roundel. Just use the Bear/Animal/Thing in all of its glory.

Rating: 7/10


Colorado Eagles Concept - Brooks F.

The Eagles jerseys confuse me. They have this colorful jersey but they use Kings jerseys. Brooks wants to see the color find its way onto the jerseys. First of all, the idea of the blue/red/yellow E on the logo extends to the side of the jersey is interesting but I don't think it works here, especially since it doesn't extend to the back. I think there's too many strokes on the numbers, comes off as way too busy. The pants' stripe is nice but I think it'd be cooler if it was a little triangle with the stripes inside, like a little mountain or something.

Rating: 7/10


Vancouver Canucks Alternate Jersey Concept - Christian L.

The Canucks in green has got to happen at some point. Christian slaps Johnny Canuck onto a green jersey, as we finally saw this past season on an official fashion jersey. So not only do we see Johnny C. and a green jersey, but plaid has found its way onto a jersey! Now, while it looks good here, I think it's a bit minor league for an NHL team. I'm not a big fan of the white piping going down the sleeves. The jersey could have a very simple look but the piping kind of ruins it. It doesn't really serve any purpose I can see...At least above the striping, on the cuffs it forms a V but you could probably do with just the V. Lastly, as we saw with the Johnny Canuck jersey the team released, the full body running Johnny needs to be bigger on the jersey to look great... So either make him larger, or maybe use the Stick in Rink or the Johnny-V logo.

Rating: 7.5/10


Ontario Reign Alternate Jersey Concept - J3

J3 had a ton of great entries into the Get Your Own Jersey contest. Ontario's new identity for next season is extremely boring compared to what they've had. I mean, the jerseys are better, but they're ditching some of the coolest logos in minor league hockey. Including this bad boy. It looks so good on the front of a jersey. Hell, just use it as a shoulder patch even. It's so good. The only thing that I don't like here is the inconsistency between the jersey/socks/pants striping. Personally, I'd change the jersey striping to match the socks/pants.

Rating: 8/10


Los Angeles Kings Alternate Jersey Concept - Nick B.

Nick throws back to the days when the Kings didn't have jersey piping. The modernized 'Chevy' logo looks nice. There's really nothing here I would change... Other than ditching the wordmark in the hem stripe... but that's just because that's a thing LA did that I was never a fan of... Maybe move the logo down a bit to separate it from the captain's C and perhaps use white numbers. Pretty straightforward, good looking design here. No complaints.

Rating: 8/10

And that caps off another grand day here at HJC. I'd like to say great work by today's artists. Feel free to send me 2015 Playoff hats. K, Love you.