IceHL: North Preview

Over the weekend, logo submissions for the North Division ended. More impressive logos here. There were a total of 31 eligible logo sets submitted. And just like last week I'm going to give you a sneak peek at all of them.

Below are the primary logos from each set. When the ratings begin, you will see the entire set of logos in full detail along with the artist's credit.

CALGARY CAVALRY (4 eligible logos)

EDMONTON KODIAKS (8 eligible logos)

REGINA RENEGADES (3 eligible logos)

SASKATOON SHARPSHOOTERS (4 eligible logos)

WINNIPEG WINTERHAWKS (12 eligible logos)

The Winterhawks were almost as popular as the Huskies to design a logo for. But I'm definitely glad we had so many more submissions for this division. Keep them coming!

If you do not see your logo here, one of two things happened. Either your submission was ineligible based on one or more of the reasons I outlined when I began taking submissions — or your email failed to get to me. I will entertain questions via email.

And just so you know, logo voting should begin in a week or two.

IceHL Southeast: Final Names

The final names for the IceHL's Southeast Division are in! Hundreds of you made your voice heard by rating the finalists for each franchise. So here are the winners.

• Atlanta ARSENAL
  average rating 3.19/5 by 443 people


• Baltimore BLUE CRABS
  average rating 3.4/5 by 429 people


• North Carolina NIGHTHAWKS
  average rating 3.83/5 by 448 people


• Tampa Bay BARRACUDAS
  average rating 3.79/5 by 412 people


• Washington SENTINELS
  average rating 2.95/5 by 309 people

It's a little odd to see such similar names as Winterhawks and Nighthawks along with Hellcats and Steelcats. But I've been leaving these decisions up to you guys so there it is.

Based on these names, your task — should you choose to accept it — is to brand the franchise. You choose the color scheme and design primary, secondary and script logos around that. Additional logos may or may not be included in the voting process.

Submit your logo art by email to me at icethetics@gmail.com. Do not post links to artwork in the comments. They will be deleted and not considered for use in this project. I'm also outlining guidelines for submissions below. If you don't follow them, your work will probably not be included.

Southeast logo submission deadline: November 15

If you want your submission included, follow these instructions:

• DO NOT STEAL ARTWORK. Logos copied or adapted from professional trademarked logos will not be permitted.


• Submit three (3) logos: primary, secondary and script. Use a white background. If your logo requires a white outline (think Lightning or Capitals), then use a gray background with the white outline included. ALL 3 LOGOS will be used in the voting process. If you leave out one, your work may be disqualified.


• Submit vector art if possible. I will accept .ai, .psd and .pdf files. If you cannot submit vector art, you must be able to provide high quality images in .jpg or .png files ONLY. All other file types may be disqualified.


• You must include your credit within the graphic itself as well as the email. This can be your real name or a pseudonym. I need them in both places so I can easily search my email to find your artwork and email address. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.


• By submitting your own original artwork to any Icethetics email address, you agree to grant permission of its use for online or print publication by Icethetics. Do not watermark your logos or they will be disqualified.


• No jersey concepts, please. That will be a later step in this process.

I tried to be specific here but I'm happy to answer any additional questions you may have via email. I was very clear about this but keep in mind that if you do not properly follow the instructions above, your work will likely be disqualified. So read them carefully.

Just so everyone is aware, when it comes time to choose a logo for each team, the process will work basically the same as the name ratings. Logo rating pages will be posted for each team and up to 20 logo submissions will be available to rate. I'm sorry I can't include more but this assures that all worthy submissions will get a fair shake.

The difference here is that once the rating period has ended, there will be a vote on Icethetics of the top 3 rated logos for each team. This assures that we choose the logo everyone wants.

Start submitting your logos!

IceHL: Southeast Voting

You can now begin rating the names for the franchises in the Southeast Division of the IceHL. Links can be found in the pollbar. Happy voting!

IceHL: Central Preview

Over the weekend, logo submissions for the Central Division ended. Again, we've got another impressive set overall. However, this batch is much smaller. This time, only 23 eligible logo sets were submitted in total. And just like last week I'm going to give you a sneak peek at all of them.

Below are the primary logos from each set. When the ratings begin, you will see the entire set of logos in full detail along with the artist's credit.

CHICAGO HITMEN (5 eligible logos)

DETROIT MOTORHEADS (5 eligible logos)

MILWAUKEE LAGERS (4 eligible logos)

MINNESOTA MAMMOTHS (4 eligible logos)

ST. LOUIS ARCHERS (5 eligible logos)

The Motorheads and Hitmen certainly have a running theme. I was a little disappointed by the drop off in submissions for this division. I hope we can get the numbers back up for the next one.

If you do not see your logo here, one of two things happened. Either your submission was ineligible based on one or more of the reasons I outlined when I began taking submissions — or your email failed to get to me. I will entertain questions via email.

IceHL: Slight Change In Plans

Just wanted to update everyone on the status of the IceHL project. As you've seen, the final names for the South Division have been posted. You've got the next three weeks to design and submit your logos for that division.

Which brings me to why I'm writing tonight. I expected to have the logo ratings pages posted for the Pacific Division this weekend. Obviously that hasn't happened. The trouble is figuring out the best way to present and rate the logos that have been submitted. The idea I had in mind fell through.

Ideally, you'd be presented with a slideshow which would display each logo set one at a time. You'd rate it and move to the next one. Unfortunately, without some sort of automated process, that is going to take me quite a while to build and I just don't have the free time for it.

So I'm exploring new ideas. That means the logo rating process will not begin this week. It may be next week or later. But in the meantime, we've still got other things to do. Keep the logo submissions coming for the three divisions that are open. I'll be posting the name ratings pages for the Southeast Division tomorrow at some point — haven't had time to build those pages this weekend.

If anyone out there has any ideas for me, I'm all ears. Just drop me a line.

And tomorrow I'll be offering a preview of the logos available for the Central Division. Surprisingly, there were a lot fewer submissions for this division. There were 42 submissions for the Pacific Division yet only 24 for the Central. They're quality designs for the most part but it just means you won't have as much to choose from.

While I'm here, I thought I'd address a minor issue that seems to have popped up regarding team names. I mentioned earlier not using the Houston Apollos because there was an old Central Hockey League team with that name. Others have asked why I didn't disqualify the Montreal Olympiques for a similar reason — the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. The answer is in the city. It's that simple.

I'd prefer not to use the same identity of a team that already exists whether it be pro or semi-pro — especially in the hockey world. You can complain all you want about how the rules don't seem to be evenly applied — and I know there are those of you that will, but I don't look at things as black and white. I look at what's relevant to a situation.

I hope that helps explain things. I'd be happy to answer any other questions by email.

IceHL South: Final Names

The final names for the IceHL's South Division are in! Hundreds of you made your voice heard by rating the finalists for each franchise. So here are the winners.

• Boulder BEASTS
  average rating 3.19/5 by 305 people


• Dallas OUTLAWS
  average rating 3.53/5 by 368 people


• Houston HELLCATS
  average rating 2.84/5 by 371 people


• New Orleans GATORS
  average rating 3.51/5 by 309 people


• Salt Lake City SCORPIONS
  average rating 2.96/5 by 347 people

I would like to point out that the Houston name with the highest rating was actually the Apollos but upon further research I discovered a couple of teams, including a past Central Hockey League team with the same name. Hellcats was the second highest rated.

Based on these names, your task — should you choose to accept it — is to brand the franchise. You choose the color scheme and design primary, secondary and script logos around that. Additional logos may or may not be included in the voting process.

Submit your logo art by email to me at icethetics@gmail.com. Do not post links to artwork in the comments. They will be deleted and not considered for use in this project. I'm also outlining guidelines for submissions below. If you don't follow them, your work will probably not be included.

South logo submission deadline: November 8

If you want your submission included, follow these instructions:

• DO NOT STEAL ARTWORK. Logos copied or adapted from professional trademarked logos will not be permitted.


• Submit three (3) logos: primary, secondary and script. Use a white background. If your logo requires a white outline (think Lightning or Capitals), then use a gray background with the white outline included. ALL 3 LOGOS will be used in the voting process. If you leave out one, your work may be disqualified.


• Submit vector art if possible. I will accept .ai, .psd and .pdf files. If you cannot submit vector art, you must be able to provide high quality images in .jpg or .png files ONLY. All other file types may be disqualified.


• You must include your credit within the graphic itself as well as the email. This can be your real name or a pseudonym. I need them in both places so I can easily search my email to find your artwork and email address. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.


• By submitting your own original artwork to any Icethetics email address, you agree to grant permission of its use for online or print publication by Icethetics. Do not watermark your logos or they will be disqualified.


• No jersey concepts, please. That will be a later step in this process.

I tried to be specific here but I'm happy to answer any additional questions you may have via email. I was very clear about this but keep in mind that if you do not properly follow the instructions above, your work will likely be disqualified. So read them carefully.

Just so everyone is aware, when it comes time to choose a logo for each team, the process will work basically the same as the name ratings. Logo rating pages will be posted for each team and up to 20 logo submissions will be available to rate. I'm sorry I can't include more but this assures that all worthy submissions will get a fair shake.

The difference here is that once the rating period has ended, there will be a vote on Icethetics of the top 3 rated logos for each team. This assures that we choose the logo everyone wants.

Start submitting your logos!

IceHL: Pacific Preview

The IceHL project is really starting to get interesting. Last night I accepted the final logo for submission for the Pacific Division. I'm very impressed with some of what I've seen. In all, 42 eligible logo sets were submitted. Today I'm going to give you a sneak peek at all of them.

Below are the primary logos from each set. When the ratings begin, you will see the entire set of logos in full detail along with the artist's credit.

ALASKA HUSKIES (12 eligible logos)

CALIFORNIA WAVE (9 eligible logos)

PORTLAND PIONEERS (6 eligible logos)

SEATTLE AVIATORS (10 eligible logos)

VANCOUVER LUMBERJACKS (5 eligible logos)

Obviously the Huskies were the most popular team to design a logo for. I'm not sure if that's because of its name or because it was first on the list. The Lumberjacks got the fewest entries. But overall, I feel each team has at least one or more very strong potential logos.

Starting this weekend, there will be a week long rating period — just like the name ratings — followed by a week long poll of the top 3 rated logos. This way we can make sure the logo you guys really want gets used.

If you do not see your logo here, one of two things happened. Either your submission was ineligible based on one or more of the reasons I outlined when I began taking submissions — or your email failed to get to me. I will entertain questions via email. Questions in the comments area will be ignored.

IceHL Northeast: Final Names

The final names for the IceHL's Northeast Division are in! Hundreds of you made your voice heard by rating the finalists for each franchise. So here are the winners.

• Boston COLONIALS
  average rating 3.84/5 by 479 people


• Hamilton STEELCATS
  average rating 3.03/5 by 321 people


• Montreal OLYMPIQUES
  average rating 3.47/5 by 371 people


• New York GUARDIANS
  average rating 2.99/5 by 309 people


• Quebec ARMADA
  average rating 3.26/5 by 347 people

Based on these names, your task — should you choose to accept it — is to brand the franchise. You choose the color scheme and design primary, secondary and script logos around that. Additional logos may or may not be included in the voting process.

Submit your logo art by email to me at icethetics@gmail.com. Do not post links to artwork in the comments. They will be deleted and not considered for use in this project. I'm also outlining guidelines for submissions below. If you don't follow them, your work will probably not be included.

Northeast logo submission deadline: November 1

If you want your submission included, follow these instructions:

• DO NOT STEAL ARTWORK. Logos copied or adapted from professional trademarked logos will not be permitted.


• Submit three (3) logos: primary, secondary and script. Use a white background. If your logo requires a white outline (think Lightning or Capitals), then use a gray background with the white outline included. ALL 3 LOGOS will be used in the voting process. If you leave out one, your work may be disqualified.


• Submit vector art if possible. I will accept .ai, .psd and .pdf files. If you cannot submit vector art, you must be able to provide high quality images in .jpg or .png files ONLY. All other file types may be disqualified.


• You must include your credit within the graphic itself as well as the email. This can be your real name or a pseudonym. I need them in both places so I can easily search my email to find your artwork and email address. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.


• By submitting your own original artwork to any Icethetics email address, you agree to grant permission of its use for online or print publication by Icethetics. Do not watermark your logos or they will be disqualified.


• No jersey concepts, please. That will be a later step in this process.

I tried to be specific here but I'm happy to answer any additional questions you may have via email. I was very clear about this but keep in mind that if you do not properly follow the instructions above, your work will likely be disqualified. So read them carefully.

Just so everyone is aware, when it comes time to choose a logo for each team, the process will work basically the same as the name ratings. Logo rating pages will be posted for each team and up to 20 logo submissions will be available to rate. I'm sorry I can't include more but this assures that all worthy submissions will get a fair shake.

The difference here is that once the rating period has ended, there will be a vote on Icethetics of the top 3 rated logos for each team. This assures that we choose the logo everyone wants.

Start submitting your logos!

IceHL Northeast: Runoff Poll

I was tallying up the ratings to determine the names for the IceHL's Northeast Division teams when something strange happened. Two names on the Toronto page tied for the top rating. So how do we solve that?

There's a new poll the IceHL section of the pollbar. Choose between the Hamilton Steelcats and Toronto Tritons for the name of that team. It will be open until Wednesday. Shortly, I'll post the other names for this division.

By the way, in the event this poll ends in an exact tie... I don't know. I may just have to flip a coin. Happy voting!

IceHL: Pacific Deadline

Just reminding everyone that this weekend is the deadline for logo submissions for the IceHL's Pacific Division. Get your artwork in by Sunday at the latest if you want it considered in the voting process!