Thursday

Hello again everybody and welcome back to another Thursday post!

I'm not going to talk much about the RiverKings rebrand which Dylan showed us in yesterday's post, so if you haven't seen it go check out his post! But the cool thing about that in my opinion, is that the creator of Studio 1344, who designed the logos, was actually someone who worked closely with Icethetics back in their early days. Pair that with the fact that there have been a few competitions held here for teams to actually use, and it just amazes me that starting on a blog on the internet, if you love doing it and have the passion to keep at it and get better, you could very well be designing these concepts for a team to actually wear. Just my thoughts.

Also, for anyone who may be wondering what Kessel will look like in a Penguins jersey...

Cartoon/artwork/thing by myself

As usual we have our COTW vote this week, along with the COTY June vote, and the HJC Open vote! I'm really starting to regret my choice of concept I decided to send in...as of now I'm losing 10 to 2 in voting...welp...better luck next year I guess. Regardless good luck to both Jamie (my opponent) and anyone else who's still in the tournament, because by the look of it with all the great artists in the bracket this year, you may need it.

HJC Open Quarter Semi-Final entries (due Tuesday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

COTY-June vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

COTW June 28-July 4 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Insert the usual review format reminder here:

Idea: Even if the concept is bad is there still a good, creative idea at the core? 1 point

Creativity: 1 point

Execution: 2 points

Realism: Would this jersey be believable to be seen on the ice? 1 point

Pizazz, wow factor, just something that makes the concept really stand out. It's hard to do but I don't think you can have a perfect concept without it: 1 point

Other areas of the concept, or just the overall look, regardless of the other categories: 5/6 points

If I feel that one of the categories doesn't need reviewed as much as the other ones I will exclude it from being reviewed and move the points to another one. Other areas will always be reviewed, and logically the final score will just be the individual scores added up.

And now on to actually reviewing them

Ryan C. - Indianapolis Ice

Idea: (N/A/1)

Creativity: Nothing like they've worn before (1/1)

Execution: Spot on (2/2)

Realism: I could see this on the ice (1/1)

Pizazz: Close but not quite (0/1)

Other areas: 

+The purple looks beautiful

+White hem/cuffs contrasting with dark jerseys is my weakness, I love it

+Solid look all around

-While I like the idea, the purple arms on the white jersey just aren't doing it for me. I would change that to cuffs. (3.5)

Overall: (8.5/10)

Phil. B - St. John's IceCaps

Idea: Considering the AHL-copying-NHL trend, this is definitely a good idea (1/1)

Creativity: Creative concept (1/1)

Execution: Very nitpicky but on the bottom back hem of the white jersey there's a little stitching showing, otherwise spot on (1.99/2)

Realism: Definitely (1/1)

Pizazz: Again, close but not quite (0/1)

Other areas: 

+Addition of gray to the color scheme 

+Not a copy of the Habs but still has some ties with them

+The use of that alternate logo as the primary

-Also nitpicky but I think the collar insert would look better if it wasn't gray, probably red or blue (3.5/4)

Overall: (8.49/10)

Matt G. - Chelsea FC

Idea: Crossing over any other sport to hockey is a good idea (1/1)

Creativity: Considering that it doesn't directly copy their soccer kits, yes (1/1)

Execution: Numbers look slightly big and on the away and third jerseys they blend a little with the stripes (1.5/2)

Realism: I could see this on the field ...er- ice...whatever (1/1)

Pizazz: Ehhh (0.5/1)

Other areas: 

+Solid crossover

+Gives the team an identity while still remaining recognizable from the soccer kit

+Interesting glove design, yet I like it

+This part isn't graded, but I like the presentation

-Make the stripes on the third/away bolder 

-Maybe reduce to one set of pants for the home and away (the home style with a red stripe in between the white ones maybe??) (3.5/4)

Overall: (8.5/10)

Cedric C. - Simon Fraser University

Idea: Gives them a unique, non NHL* copy set (1/1) 

Creativity: (N/A /1)

Execution: 

-Logos need to be a bit smaller

-Vertical stitching should stop at the hem stripe

-The namebar (is that a namebar?) should go above the numbers

-Numbers need to be slightly bigger

-The red on the helmet is a different red than the rest of the concept 

(0.5/2)

Realism: I could see this on the ice (1/1)

Pizazz: Negative (0/1)

Other areas: 

+Looks like a school jersey set

+Simple, solid look at the core

+Aside from the flags, this jersey screams Canada with all the leaves....

-However there are too many leaves. Either reduce the number of them or sublimate them

-Arm stripes would be nice

-White pants??? (I know I've made that joke before but oh whale)

(4/5)

Overall: I feel like this deserves a bit more than that, but the execution really killed it (6.5/10)

*Mostly unrelated sidenote: Is that Johnny Canuck on the shoulder of that jersey I linked to?

Chase C. - Montreal Canadians

Idea: The Habs in a white jersey in a chest stripe would look great(1/1)

Creativity: This is just a copy of their current home jersey, and they've already done something very similar, but it makes some changes (0.5/1)

Execution: 

-Pixelation all around the concept

-Logo looks a bit small (1.5/2)

Realism: Definitely (1/1)

Pizazz: Nope (0/1)

Other areas: +Solid transition from the home jersey

+Makes improvements on the original white chest stripe jersey and improves the color balance with the regular home

-Blue numbers blend in, bolden the red outline to help

-A one color lace collar would look better and improve the classic look of the jersey, like they just did (2/4)

Overall: (6/10)

And saving the best team to be reviewed last.........

Mike S. - Pittsburgh Penguins

Idea: Both casual fans and jersey enthusiasts alike would love to see a return to the '91 set (1/1)

Creativity: As mentioned it's pretty much the '91 set, but it makes changes and improvements as well (0.5/1)

Execution: 

-TV numbers look a tad small

-The black in the logo does not match the black in the jersey

-Helmet and pants logos missing (1.25/2)

Realism: Definitely, and being a Pens fan I would love it (1/1)

Pizazz: As a concept, nope (0/1)

Other areas: 

+Solid design

+Switching the yellow and black on the white jersey looks great and balances the colors better throughout the set

-Pants are too plain and simple

-Reverse the sock striping. On the home its borderline looking like the Bruins and on the road its borderline looking like a dark jersey sock

-Logo on the away jersey should be the modern skating Penguin, the old once looks outdated

(3/4)

Overall: Another concept I definitely think deserves a higher score, expecially that I'm giving it my not biased at all...well maybe a little biased...COTW nomination to it! (6.75/10)

And that's the post! No need to give my nomination down here like usual because I already have. Did you guys disagree with me? Have something else to add? Want to nominate a concept? Or even talk about something completely unrelated to jerseys and hockey? Then leave a comment...or a few...or a lot, I won't judge! I hope you enjoyed the post, thanks for reading, and I'll see you guys again next Thursday.

Also I spelled Montreal Canadiens wrong on Chase's concept on purpose just to see how many people would notice it.....(link)