The Winter Classic 2009 has a logo!
Big thanks to Mike for the find!
I ran across a post on the Canucks' official message board with some interesting information. It actually links back to NHLToL but that's not the interesting part. Apparently there's someone claiming to have had a look at new NHL logos for use this season. You can see the original thread here or catch the highlights below.
First of all, Boston, St. Louis, Nashville, and Florida have all changed to the same yellow Pantone color. The sharks also changed their teal. I think that is all for color changes.
Now for the more exciting stuff...
Boston: new wordmark in the same font as the B in the primary logo.
San Jose: Added a secondary logo with the letters SJ and the old unused shark fin logo from last year at the bottom.
Phoenix: Pretty much all new logos except for the primary, including a new full body coyote as a secondary.
Buffalo: Added a slightly redesigned version of the classic logo with the new navy blue. I looked at the two logos more closely together and it is pretty much the same with a Very minor tweak in the sword handle, and the addition of silver outlines around everything. It also has the red eye.
Vancouver: Added the Johnny Canuck logo with his head in the V back to their identity.
If I get any confirmations or looks at these logos, you can expect to see them posted right away.
Interestingly, but unrelated, in the same thread was an amazing concept logo I just had to post. You guys know how much I like the Canucks' new V logo. Well someone on that site created one that's even better! It's got a roughness and an edge to it that's lacking in the original logo.
Two weeks ago I posted the new name and logo for the AHL's Iowa franchise — the Iowa Chops. While the name remains an abomination, someone actually came up with a decent concept logo.
For reference, this is what the Chops are actually using.
Thanks to Charlie for the tip!
Your favorite Icethetics partner artist is back tonight with another concept for his series, Rebranding The NHL. I know you're excited! Matt is taking his shot at the Dallas Stars and it's quite likely one of his best yet. But first, read his explanation in his own words.
After my exhaustive research into the Dallas Stars, many of the Stars fans really like their new uniforms. So taking cue from that, I ended up removing green from the color scheme. Why? Because the time has finally come to put the North Stars days away for good. This is the Dallas Stars. Minnesota has their new team. Time to turn the page in Stars history and embrace their home.
The goal of this new identity is to embrace the new "Lone" Stars. The completely custom wordmark is styled after an old saloon sign. The new secondary logo is a much better attempt to symbolize Texas than the failed "Mooterus" from a few years ago. The striping on the home and away feature barb wire lining the jersey, and the alternate jersey design resembles the horns of a steer...
As usual, it's truly great work and that secondary logo is just downright scary. Like a lot of you, at first I was concerned with the lack of green. But after reading Matt's explanation, I think it's perfect. A true, individual branding for a great team.
Naturally, he's done uniform concepts to go with it.
I'd buy that gold jersey in a heartbeat.
But for all the fans of Matt's work, he's donated a neat little surprise for. A lot of folks have asked about getting a copy of Matt's uniform template. He's now generously offering it for the first time. Enjoy!
So what's next? Matt tells me he's hard at work on a new rebranding of the St. Louis Blues. But he's a little stumped. He says, "The only thing is I have no idea how I can give them a better identity than the Blue Note. So I would like to call out to all Icethetic-ites for aid in coming up with ideas for Blues logos..."
For one thing, he needs help determining a secondary color. And who better to ask than the awesome readers of Icethetics? In the sidebar is a new poll where you can voice your opinion. Choose between navy blue, yellow and red to go with the primary color of blue.
And if you have any brilliant ideas for a new direction for the Blues' logo, you can post them here in the comments or contact Matt directly by emailing him at gfb_designs@yahoo.com. Voice your thoughts and get ready for an exciting new look for the Blues!
One of our regular artists who designs under the moniker Sigma Kappa is back with another great design. Most recently he gave the Red Wings a new look. Before that came the Devils, Predators, Senators, Flyers, and Coyotes. Tonight we've got a logo/uniform makeover for the Florida Panthers.
That is one fierce logo. As with most of his designs, the logo is based off of the original to some extent but it's a rather unique take. In the secondary logo, the cat is calmer but no less fierce.
And below are the jersey designs he came up with.
Overall, it's outstanding work and I love it when I can post such an excellent concept. What do you think of it? Sound off in the comments.
One new artist I've been receiving concept designs from signs his work Ivall. His first submission was a Blackhawks logo that was met with a lot of praise. His followup was a Sabres logo that landed in a Freak Out Friday post.
In the last few days he's been hard at work on new logos for the Penguins and Maple Leafs. We'll start in Pittsburgh.
You know, of all the Pens artwork I've been sent, I think this is the first time I've seen a forward-facing penguin. Despite its intricacies, it's a pretty well-drawn logo. Check it out on a jersey.
He also made five attempts at a new Leafs logo.
It's hard to say which is my favorite but I think I'd have to go with either the one on top or middle-right. Thoughts?
By the way, we've got new sweater designs from Paul (aka capn89). He's made Philly, Columbus, Washington and one other team — got to leave something to the imagination. Check back tomorrow for that!
I've been going though my computer to clear off a bunch of old files when I came across an interesting video clip. It was posted on the Phoenix Coyotes web site a few years ago when they unveiled their new (current) logo. As a person who comes from the video/animation world, I was fascinated by it and I thought I'd share it on this Sunday morning.
Now, just to be clear this video is property of the Coyotes hockey club and I have nothing to do with it. I'm just a fan and I wanted to share it with you guys. Someone obviously put a lot of effort into it.
But what sort of person would I be if I didn't also have concept art for you?
These two logo sets come from the same designer and I think they're equally cool.
This one I felt was confused. You're either using the moon as a C or not — you can't have it both ways without it being weird.
And to finish... this is something I don't really like to do, but I'm making an exception. Occasionally when I post a concept logo, I'll get emails from people with adjustments to that design. And I tend to not post them because I feel like it takes away from the original artist's work. Here, I believe it helps it.
Back on NHLToL, I posted this Coyotes logo set by designer Sigma Kappa. But one reader made some tweaks to the second logo.
I like this one just as much as the original. Both have their pros and cons but I figured I'd post it so you guys could decide which you thought was better.
Following Matt's rebrand this week, many of you have been hard at work on your ideas for what sort of logo and uniforms the Sabres should really have. Reaction was mixed with many people looking for something completely new...
...while others enjoyed the update on a timeless symbol. And there's more where that came from.
By the way, you've seen other work from this designer. He's quite talented. Here are the jersey designs that go with his logo.
I've got another, more unique logo to share.
It has jersey designs as well.
In addition, I have more unrelated sweater concepts.
Interesting image. And this I believe is similar to concepts we've seen before, but it does tend to be one of the favorites.
I've got a big project in the works here at Icethetics. This goes out to all of the talented artists and designers who submit artwork on a regular basis: How would you like to brand an entire league? (And it's not the NHL.) Details to come.
Maple Leafs fans, yesterday I promised you some concept art and I'm making good on it. I've gotten half a dozen different jersey designs over the past few weeks and today I'm happy to share them with you.
The first one here is a take on Minnesota's home sweater crest. It's cool even if it's somewhat unoriginal.
But if originality is what you're looking for, see the graphic on the right. It's probably a little too awkward to make for a solid design what with the unbalanced logo, no striping on the white and too much striping on the blue. But maybe I'm just being critical.
These two are cool if Toronto were to add black to the color scheme. But obviously as a Lightning fan I would be somewhat opposed to that.
And finally, on the current jersey design is an interesting logo I've been waiting to see someone make — the CN Tower in the veins of the leaf.
It's not perfect but how cool is that?
You know what tomorrow is. Yes indeed, another Freak Out Friday is nearly upon us. Stay tuned for that.
concepts, fan art, jerseys, logos, maple leafs So the American Hockey League will have a new team this fall based out of Iowa which will serve as the Anaheim Ducks' minor league affiliate. And they're called the Chops.
Yes, the Iowa Chops. I'm not even making a joke here. And if I was, it would be a bad one. What is a Chop? See below for the logo.
All right, now that you've peeled yourself off the floor, wiped away the tears of laughter and stumbled helplessly back to the computer, take another look at it.
Still bad, isn't it? I'm surprised because nowadays I think we've come to expect more from new expansion clubs. Better names, better logos. I mean, consider the Ontario Reign of the ECHL. Great name, great logo — though I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't initially realize Ontario was a city in California. Despite living in an ECHL town, I pay almost no attention to that league.
Anyway, I'm eager to hear what you guys think of the Iowa Chops and their new logo. I'll be putting together new logo tournaments for the AHL and ECHL some time this year, by the way.
