New Icethetics Features

Quick note about some new features I'm trying out.

As many of you have noticed that you can now post comments while on the same page as the post you're commenting on instead of going to a completely separate page. Figured it might be helpful. The "subscribe to comments" link doesn't exist anymore but my solution to that is at the bottom of the sidebar on the right side of the page.

You can choose to subscribe to all posts or all comments on all posts via RSS. Unfortunately you can't subscribe to a single post's comments as far as I know. If nothing else, it gives you a reason to keep coming back, right?

Also, I've added a star rating system. You can now rate individual posts from 1 to 5 stars. I don't know how you'd decide what to rate a post given the number of concepts I might include in one. I guess it's kind of like voting on which logo is better. Just go with your gut. You can even rate this post. I dare you!

My next step is determining a way to build a concept art gallery where you can rate the designs. I'm not sure where we'd go with that, but I think just having it would be a nice start. It would give everyone an idea of where the majority of visitors stand on the various works of art. If anyone has any suggestions or knows of any great sites that might be able to easily accomplish this, I'm all ears.

That's all for now. I'll be posting those new uniform concepts from Paul shortly.

“Official” Oilers Concept Jerseys?

Apparently some Oilers jersey designs have been floating around recently. I guess the claim is that they're official concepts being considered by the team as a potential alternate or home sweater replacement. Have a look at see what you think.

Like I said I can't vouch for the veracity of these images. Just take them for what they are.

I like them both but the first one would be my favorite. Express your thoughts in the comments below.

Thanks to Zac for the tip.

Bolts Go Photoshopping

First, yes Vinny signed an 11-year contract with my Tampa Bay Lightning and I couldn't be happier. But it's actually Steven Stamkos that has me writing this evening. It appears even official team web sites aren't above Photoshopping jerseys onto players who haven't actually worn them yet.

This ad is currently appearing on the Bolts' home page.

At first you may think nothing of it. But look at the guy on the right. Is that Stamkos? In a Lightning jersey? When would he have had occasion to don a Bolts jersey in game action? Any graphic artist worth his salt should be able to tell in a second that it's not a real photo based on the lighting and shadows alone.

If you're not sold, consider this: Even when training camp rolls around, they don't wear full-on game sweaters. They have practice jerseys for that. So I'm led to the conclusion that his head has been pasted on someone else's body. And, of course, the numbers have been added because no player to my knowledge wore #91 for the Lightning last year.

Wow! Maybe I'm the only one intrigued by this, but I figure if I'm not alone, you guys would be the only other ones who care. So speaking of which, if anybody happens to run across a free agent signee already in his new team's uniform on an official web site, shoot me an email.

I'll leave you with this question: Who was that originally a picture of and how do you think he feels about having his head chopped off and his number changed?

Leafs Making Announcement

According to a new video sent to Maple Leafs fans, the team will be making a "fan-related announcement" on Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre. Seen in the video is Matt Stajan and if you want to watch it, it's right here.

I guess the reason I mention this at all is that there appears to be some speculation that the announcement is jersey-related. The Leafs are one of the teams rumored to have a third jersey ready for 2008-09. It's four days away so we'll find out soon enough. I'll of course have it posted here should it be related to the uniforms or logos.

I'd thank the reader who sent in the tip, but he didn't give his name.

By the way, I apologize for the late posts today but I got my new iPhone 3G this morning so I've been a little preoccupied. Plus I went to see Hancock. It was a fun movie. I liked it. Anyone else seen it yet?

Sweaters In NHL 09

Got a few emails today about a new promotional video EA Sports has released for NHL 09.

Evidently, there's some question as to whether a green jersey seen in the video is a leak. You can see the screenshot below but to me it looks like a regular Minnesota North Stars sweater.

Now I personally have never played any of these video games so correct me if I'm wrong, but do they not often include vintage uniforms for use in the game?

My assumption is that this is merely a "vintage alternate" available for the Dallas Stars in the game. Let me know if I don't have this right because I don't want to be misleading people. Just hoped I could clear up some confusion.

In any event, for what it's worth we actually got our first look at the new Rbk EDGE jerseys as a whole last year via an NHL 08 leak. I'm guessing it's possible the same thing could happen with third jerseys this year. We'll just wait and see. And if you guys find anything, feel free to email me and I'll spread the word.

Iowa Chops? No, I'm Not Kidding

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.

My NY Times Shoutout!

Got a very cool mention today on Slap Shot the New York Times' hockey blog. I'm very proud. Who knew people were actually reading this drivel? But I certainly appreciate the attention.

Blog writer Stu Hackel writes:

Here’s something to help you enjoy: One of our thousands, er, hundreds, er, dozens, er, two or three regular readers, Ms. Conduct, has her own site and one of her other fave blogs is Icethetics where the proprietor, Chris, has been engaged in inventing imaginative re-designs of NHL uniforms.

Hockey fans have always been proud of the game’s jerseys (or sweaters, or shirts or whatever you wanna call them). They are the best in sports. Some are better than others, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them all. So if you’ve got the time and inclination, these are worth checking out and checking back periodically to see the new ones.

In case you wanted to check out Ms. Conduct's blog, click here. It's a good read.

Anyway, pardon the vanity but sometimes its nice just to talk about something cool that's happened to me. Though it's not really just me. You guys are the reason I bother to do this in the first place — you keep coming back for more. With daily hit counts higher than I could've possibly imagined before I began doing this, I'm definitely proud.

Again, thanks for continuing to visit and submit the best fan-made hockey concept art on the web!

Getting Some Work Done

As you guys may have notice I'm finally getting some things done here at Icethetics. You can thank the weekend for that. While I'm working, I thought I'd talk about a few things briefly.

THIRD JERSEYS
I've transferred the list of confirmed third jerseys from the sidebar at NHLToL. I'll update it as I learn more. I have to say I'm really surprised at the lack of information about the new jerseys so far this summer. But at the same time I'm not. We spent a lot of time last summer just waiting for the smallest bits of news to trickle out about the Rbk EDGE jerseys.

If you want my input, don't expect to see a whole lot of unveilings until the season gets really close (meaning training camp) or actually underway. If I ran a team, I might want to wait and unveil a new third jersey at my team's season opener to the home crowd. Maybe even as one more way to sell tickets. You know, "Hey, show up and you'll get to be the first to see our new sweaters!"

Don't forget too that some of the teams on the list may not actually unveil alternate jerseys until halfway or more through the season as a way to reinvigorate a fan base. I may be full of hot air (and I often am) but these are just things to consider as the summer progresses. But just remember, any news that should surface will of course be posted right here.

FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
I got an email from a reader who had a good suggestion earlier. With so many players — big name players at that — changing teams this offseason via free agency, we might be tempted to get an early glimpse at what some of these guys might look like in their new uniforms. So if anybody wants to paint some new jerseys onto recently signed players, I'd be more than happy to post them.

One example someone made and sent in features former Pens Gary Roberts and Ryan Malone in Lightning sweaters.

As a Tampa Bay fan, I think it's pretty cool.

ToHL LOGO TOURNAMENTS
As mentioned, I'm moving all ToHL content to Icethetics as well. That means the QMJHL Tournament of Logos and the CHL Memorial Cup poll will finish up here. If you scroll down you'll see that today's poll has been posted and you can vote for the Huskies or Oceanic.

Basically, for those of you that haven't been following that site, when we finish with the QMJHLToL, the champion logos from each of the CHL leagues will go head-to-head to determine the overall champion. The Swift Current Broncos and London Knights won the WHL and OHL, respectively.

CENTER ICE TOURNAMENT
I don't have a start date set for this tournament yet but I anticipate getting it going before the end of the month. It'll probably happen after or at the same time as the final CHL poll.

That's all for today. Gotta get back to work now.

Preview Matt's Sabres Rebrand!

Aw, you didn't really think I'd do a launch with nothing more than a post about things you already know, did you?

Icethetics partner artist Matt (aka GhettoFarmBoy) has been hard at work on his latest design in the Rebranding The NHL series. And today, as we launch the new blog, he's offering up a preview of his new Buffalo Sabres logo.

It's looking good. He assures me that the final design will be ready soon.

But just so you don't walk away empty-handed, he's sharing with us one of the logos that didn't make the cut in his final Washington Capitals rebrand.

So I hope it was worth it on moving day. And I've been reading some of the comments posted so far. Here's some quick responses. The logo at the top is not final. It's a placeholder. I understand you like/dislike the color scheme (we can hold a poll on that if you want). The center ice tournament will feature "natural" logos — no all-star or anniversary symbols. We'll get to the mascots but I wanted the first Icethetics tournament to feature all 30 clubs.

Think that answers everything so far. Got any other questions? Feel free to email me or leave a comment.

Icethetics Launched!

Hey everybody! Icethetics is officially here and I know you're excited about that. It's a little bare right now, but give it time.

If you're new to this, Icethetics is a brand new blog born from the merging of the NHL Tournament of Logos and Tournament of Hockey Logos blogs. Icethetics will feature the same great combination of reader-submitted concept art and logo voting as well as so much more!

Over the next few weeks I'll be rolling out all the new features and additions including a brand new concept art gallery, an artist partnership program and a brand new tournament for you to cast your votes! And actually, I'm announcing the new tournament today. It's something I've been talking about for several months at NHLToL.

Get ready for the NHL Tournament of Center Ice Logos! (I know you saw that coming.) Each team has in their arena a unique design painted onto center ice — usually incorporating their primary logo — so in this tournament, you'll be voting on whose is the best.

Last year around this time we did a primary logo tournament which was won by the Montreal Canadiens. It'll be interesting to see if they keep that title for another year.

Anyway, I've got a lot going on today as I get this blog up and running. And like I've said, NHLToL and ToHL aren't going anywhere. But as of today, they will no longer be updated. All of your concept art and logo voting needs will have to be fulfilled by the brand new Icethetics blog!

By the way, my email address is not changing. It will continue to be nhllogos@gmail.com.

Enjoy!