Monday: The HJC Swimsuit OR Train Issue
Welcome to this very special HJC post...it's not really a swimsuit issue, it's cold in Halifax and I left my bikini in Tijuana last time I was there.
Keep those Podcast questions coming in, the podcast will be at some point this week or early next week, so until Ryan gives the date and we start recording, keep them coming in!
As expected, after a year without a team, Worcester, MA is getting a brand spanking new ECHL team, just like Manchester, however, it'll be a fresh new look instead of an ECHL Sharks team. Of course, if you didn't know, I'm a fan of when sports team go with a rail/theme. It's an underrated idea and usually revolves around a deep historical tie to the railroads. I wasn't aware but Worcester has a deep running rail history.
Thus we get the Worcester Railers...HC
It's obvious that this is a beautiful logo. The shield is a little busy, trying to fit the mountains and a detailed train into the logo, but it works overall. The colour scheme reminds me of the Chicago Express's jerseys/Greensville Road Warriors/Swamp Rabbits. It's a very well used colour scheme, and it would have been nice to see the team try something new. The script is nice, but bland italicized stock standard sports font. The part the really stands out to me is the HC....it's gimmicky...but something the ECHL should try. Going for a Euro/football style fan base would be interesting for a hockey team to try. It might fail but since they are the only team to try this, I'm wiling to give it a chance....That W on the engine's faceplate really reminds me of a certain mediocre CFL team...oh well...
8/10
Let's look at some other current and past rail themed teams, we all know the Chicago Express & Yaroslav Lokomotiv, or at least you should, but these are some lower league teams to enjoy!
Bloomington Tunder (SPHL/NAHL)
Obviously a Kings pre-edge copy, with a less than good logo, a weak look for a team in the SPHL. It's no surprise this team only lasted on year before going into the USHL. With that move however, came something magical.
One of the best looks in the USHL, with a beautiful colour scheme and equally nice jersey. Safe to say this is the best train logo in hockey right now, and it comes from US major junior of all places!
Cincinnati Railraiders (AHL)
This was a proposed/submitted jersey to a team that never actually existed, but had a strong set of logos for 2006. This jersey fit in perfectly in the pre-edge AHL, but the organization later became the Rockford Ice Hogs, so D-bro must have been happy about that
Roanoke Express (ECHL)
A team that suffered from having a good logo for the time, but much too dark of a colour scheme. The jersey desperately needed some white to keep the green from blending into the black. The team did have a simpler logo with a different style diesel, but the jerseys did not feature that logo, but rather had a diagonal script; boring!
Fredricton Express (ECHL)
A surprisingly original jersey from a team that could have easily gone with a Nordiques copy. The logo is weak by today's standard, but for the 80s it's pretty strong. The Fredxpress would go onto play in Halifax as the Citadels, where they would wear Nordiques copy jerseys for 4 seasons
Brantford Smoke (UHL)
This team would later adopt a dragon theme, but considering this is a mid 90s UHL team, the look really works, a little Devils like but still good. In these jerseys, the team would win the 1993 Turner Cup, but use the dragon logos after 1993/94. I'd love to see some concepts with this logo!
Owatonna Express (USHL)
A team with a mediocre bullet train logo, but beautiful blue jerseys that stood out compared to the logo; notice the theme of Express as the name of teams with train logos. You might also notice that almost all these logos have the train going from left to right on almost the same angle. The Express moved out of Owatonna in 2011.
So that's a short list. I'm sure there are many more, especially in minor hockey leagues across America & Canada. Notice how there are no NHL train teams...Las Vegas perhaps? Honestly, it'd be nice to see one.
We got some voting to talk about!
Hope you all enjoyed the pairs competition, I certainly did! If you haven't checked out the entry, Caz linked to them in his post. Go check them out one more time and place your votes in both the intermediate & advanced divisions!
Don't forget about COTW
New Jersey Devils Concept (By: Lucas D.)
+ I really like how the hem stripe looks. It perfectly balances each colour, if they whole jersey was based around this look, it'd certainly be COTW worthy
+ The concept keeps a lot of features from the original jerseys, but makes the jersey simpler, a good fauxback option
+ Good execution
- I think we've seen enough of this design with the coloured upper arms and stripes from Lucas in the past week and a bit. It works, but it does look kind of templated and lazy after seeing it done 3/4 times
- This jersey would have been a great place to use the unused Devils logo from 1982
- One thing I really like about the Devils numbers is how wide they are, that's lost on this jersey
Rating: 7.5/10
Quad City Mallards ECHL Concepts (By: Ryan C.)
+ Hey, if the Anaheim Ducks aren't gonna use the angled stripes, the Mallards may as well
+ Colours are really week balanced, even with the black cuffs/hem
+ The Mallards have a lot of logo choices, but I thick Ryan chose the perfect ones here
+ Good execution
- One thing that keeps this concept from being perfect is how cluttered the logo looks under the collar with the CCM logo. It's not major but it squishes the mallard head
- I'd recommend including some gear in your concepts, Ryan. Just so that way we get a full view of how this concepts would look on the ice
Rating: 9/10
Chicago Blackhawks 2017 Winter Classic Concept (By: Gary B.)
+ This would be a unique jersey to the Blackhawks, something it looks like they'll need as they have throwback to almost every look they've had since 1992
+ Good logo choice
+ The striped yoke and striping is a good blend of 50s/60s and the original Blackhawks jerseys
+ Decent execution
- The logo is a bit too small
- The pants and helmet need a logo on them or a stripe toliven them up
- The shades of black on the logo and strip are different
- The jersey would look better with fewer black stripes and making them the same thickness as the yoke
Rating: 7/10
St. Louis Blues 2017 Winter Classic Concept (By: Gary B.)
+ If the Hawks go with that era of jersey, it only makes sense the Blues do the same
+ The yoke striping is a really nice touch, the best pre-red jersey the Blues ever wore was the one with the large yellow yokes
+ The perfect amount of dark blue in the striping and numbers
+ Decent execution
- The blue note is just a little too large
- The numbers on the back begin to blend into themselves the way the outlines are ordered. White numbers or swapping the navy and white outlines would help
- Don't forget the helmet logo
Rating: 7.25/10
Northern Michigan University Wildcats NCAA Concepts (By: Taylor R.)
+ Any concept with this much green I'll be a fan of; this certainly would stand out
+ Striping pattern reminds me of a slightly altered version of what Providence wears, which is what Acadie-Bathurst/Winnipeg wear, but it's unique to the Wildcats
+ I really like the font Taylor has used jersey
+ Perfect execution
- While the Wildcat head logo certainly isn't the best looking thing, it would be better than using a redone Clemson paw print. The cathead would add some yellow to the jersey
Rating: 9.5/10
Hershey Bears AHL Concepts (By: Josiah B.)
+ It's funny how well the modern Bears logo works with this striping pattern better than the previous vintage logos
+ The Bears are the only team in the AHL that can pull of a whiteless set, take advantage of it
+ This template really works in Josiah's favour, he;s using it well
+ Good execution
- The striping pattern is really Blackhawks like, It isn't necessarily a bad thing but a little noticeable
- The hem striping should be thicker
- The tv numbers are a little to small
- Same thing I said to Ryan about including the gear
Rating: 8.25/10
Atlanta Thrashers Concepts (By: Brooks F.)
+ This would be the first jersey I've seen to make really good use of the overhead Thrasher logo.
+ The colours are balanced really well, especially on the maroon jersey
+ That maroon jersey would be a perfect alternate if the Thrashers were still around
+ Fantastic execution
+ The amount of Vs on the concept would make this the modern Flying V, but this works way better imo
- The blue jersey needs more maroon not it, not a ton, but just a little more
Rating: 9.5/10 COTW Nom from me!
Keep those Podcast questions coming in, the podcast will be at some point this week or early next week, so until Ryan gives the date and we start recording, keep them coming in!
As expected, after a year without a team, Worcester, MA is getting a brand spanking new ECHL team, just like Manchester, however, it'll be a fresh new look instead of an ECHL Sharks team. Of course, if you didn't know, I'm a fan of when sports team go with a rail/theme. It's an underrated idea and usually revolves around a deep historical tie to the railroads. I wasn't aware but Worcester has a deep running rail history.
Thus we get the Worcester Railers...HC
 |
| Photo from echl.com |
It's obvious that this is a beautiful logo. The shield is a little busy, trying to fit the mountains and a detailed train into the logo, but it works overall. The colour scheme reminds me of the Chicago Express's jerseys/Greensville Road Warriors/Swamp Rabbits. It's a very well used colour scheme, and it would have been nice to see the team try something new. The script is nice, but bland italicized stock standard sports font. The part the really stands out to me is the HC....it's gimmicky...but something the ECHL should try. Going for a Euro/football style fan base would be interesting for a hockey team to try. It might fail but since they are the only team to try this, I'm wiling to give it a chance....That W on the engine's faceplate really reminds me of a certain mediocre CFL team...oh well...
8/10
Let's look at some other current and past rail themed teams, we all know the Chicago Express & Yaroslav Lokomotiv, or at least you should, but these are some lower league teams to enjoy!
Bloomington Tunder (SPHL/NAHL)
 |
| Photo by Alan Look Photography |
Obviously a Kings pre-edge copy, with a less than good logo, a weak look for a team in the SPHL. It's no surprise this team only lasted on year before going into the USHL. With that move however, came something magical.
 |
| Photo from wjbc.com |
One of the best looks in the USHL, with a beautiful colour scheme and equally nice jersey. Safe to say this is the best train logo in hockey right now, and it comes from US major junior of all places!
Cincinnati Railraiders (AHL)
 |
| Photo from CCSLC forum user deked73 (Chris W.) |
Roanoke Express (ECHL)
 |
| Photo from gamewornauctions.com |
Fredricton Express (ECHL)
 |
| Photo from dropthepucks.com |
Brantford Smoke (UHL)
 |
| Photo from caldercup2000.com |
Owatonna Express (USHL)
 |
| Photo from austindailyherald.com |
A team with a mediocre bullet train logo, but beautiful blue jerseys that stood out compared to the logo; notice the theme of Express as the name of teams with train logos. You might also notice that almost all these logos have the train going from left to right on almost the same angle. The Express moved out of Owatonna in 2011.
So that's a short list. I'm sure there are many more, especially in minor hockey leagues across America & Canada. Notice how there are no NHL train teams...Las Vegas perhaps? Honestly, it'd be nice to see one.
We got some voting to talk about!
Hope you all enjoyed the pairs competition, I certainly did! If you haven't checked out the entry, Caz linked to them in his post. Go check them out one more time and place your votes in both the intermediate & advanced divisions!
Don't forget about COTW
COTW Mar 27-Apr 2 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)
Pairs Competition vote (ends Friday @ 10:59pm Eastern)
-------------------------------------------------------
On to the concepts!New Jersey Devils Concept (By: Lucas D.)
+ I really like how the hem stripe looks. It perfectly balances each colour, if they whole jersey was based around this look, it'd certainly be COTW worthy
+ The concept keeps a lot of features from the original jerseys, but makes the jersey simpler, a good fauxback option
+ Good execution
- I think we've seen enough of this design with the coloured upper arms and stripes from Lucas in the past week and a bit. It works, but it does look kind of templated and lazy after seeing it done 3/4 times
- This jersey would have been a great place to use the unused Devils logo from 1982
- One thing I really like about the Devils numbers is how wide they are, that's lost on this jersey
Rating: 7.5/10
Quad City Mallards ECHL Concepts (By: Ryan C.)
+ Hey, if the Anaheim Ducks aren't gonna use the angled stripes, the Mallards may as well
+ Colours are really week balanced, even with the black cuffs/hem
+ The Mallards have a lot of logo choices, but I thick Ryan chose the perfect ones here
+ Good execution
- One thing that keeps this concept from being perfect is how cluttered the logo looks under the collar with the CCM logo. It's not major but it squishes the mallard head
- I'd recommend including some gear in your concepts, Ryan. Just so that way we get a full view of how this concepts would look on the ice
Rating: 9/10
Chicago Blackhawks 2017 Winter Classic Concept (By: Gary B.)
+ This would be a unique jersey to the Blackhawks, something it looks like they'll need as they have throwback to almost every look they've had since 1992
+ Good logo choice
+ The striped yoke and striping is a good blend of 50s/60s and the original Blackhawks jerseys
+ Decent execution
- The logo is a bit too small
- The pants and helmet need a logo on them or a stripe toliven them up
- The shades of black on the logo and strip are different
- The jersey would look better with fewer black stripes and making them the same thickness as the yoke
Rating: 7/10
St. Louis Blues 2017 Winter Classic Concept (By: Gary B.)
+ If the Hawks go with that era of jersey, it only makes sense the Blues do the same
+ The yoke striping is a really nice touch, the best pre-red jersey the Blues ever wore was the one with the large yellow yokes
+ The perfect amount of dark blue in the striping and numbers
+ Decent execution
- The blue note is just a little too large
- The numbers on the back begin to blend into themselves the way the outlines are ordered. White numbers or swapping the navy and white outlines would help
- Don't forget the helmet logo
Rating: 7.25/10
Northern Michigan University Wildcats NCAA Concepts (By: Taylor R.)
+ Any concept with this much green I'll be a fan of; this certainly would stand out
+ Striping pattern reminds me of a slightly altered version of what Providence wears, which is what Acadie-Bathurst/Winnipeg wear, but it's unique to the Wildcats
+ I really like the font Taylor has used jersey
+ Perfect execution
- While the Wildcat head logo certainly isn't the best looking thing, it would be better than using a redone Clemson paw print. The cathead would add some yellow to the jersey
Rating: 9.5/10
Hershey Bears AHL Concepts (By: Josiah B.)
+ It's funny how well the modern Bears logo works with this striping pattern better than the previous vintage logos
+ The Bears are the only team in the AHL that can pull of a whiteless set, take advantage of it
+ This template really works in Josiah's favour, he;s using it well
+ Good execution
- The striping pattern is really Blackhawks like, It isn't necessarily a bad thing but a little noticeable
- The hem striping should be thicker
- The tv numbers are a little to small
- Same thing I said to Ryan about including the gear
Rating: 8.25/10
Atlanta Thrashers Concepts (By: Brooks F.)
+ This would be the first jersey I've seen to make really good use of the overhead Thrasher logo.
+ The colours are balanced really well, especially on the maroon jersey
+ That maroon jersey would be a perfect alternate if the Thrashers were still around
+ Fantastic execution
+ The amount of Vs on the concept would make this the modern Flying V, but this works way better imo
- The blue jersey needs more maroon not it, not a ton, but just a little more
Rating: 9.5/10 COTW Nom from me!
-------------------------------------------------------
That's the post
Have a great week!
Don't forget to vote for COTW & both votes in the pairs competition
Go Jets, Moose & Mooseheads!
Monday: The HJC Swimsuit OR Train Issue
Reviewed by winnipegjets96
on
April 04, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by winnipegjets96
on
April 04, 2016
Rating:
5 comments:
Wow, I forgot I made that when the team was announced with the intention of submitting it. I found out they failed to get the minimum of season ticket holder commitments and thus went on the shelf.
I want to nominate Ryan C's QC Mallards concept
I'll 2nd Brooks for COTW.
I laughed so hard when I saw the title for you post. I put that in there yesterday to see if anyone would catch it. Thanks for playing along with the joke.
Love Brooks Thrashers set. My only complaint is that it would make more sense on a nike template rather than an edge template. COTW nom to Brooks
@Chris If I were ti use any concept I've seen of this team, I'd use yours, it's beautiful and fits totally in for 2006
@Caz, haha no worries, I got a laugh out of that it'd be a shame not to continue it
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