NHLPA Logo Change Coming?
Will the NHLPA soon be represented by a new logo?
Last week during E3, an eagle-eyed reader spotted something interesting in the demo of the upcoming NHL 14. Well, "interesting" may be a strong word. But painted on the digital ice appears to be a redesigned single-color logo for the NHL Players' Association.
Photo from Frozen Faceoff
You know me. Normally I brush off anything seen in a video game. But there's more to this one. Check out the NHLPA's official website and you'll notice the new skater silhoutte icon at the top of the page. And it looks just like what's visible in the NHL 14 screen shot.
Logo from NHLPA (official website)
The fact that the old one is gone from the header of the organization's official website says a lot. It actually disappeared back in the fall during the lockout when it was replaced by the hashtag, #ThePlayers. But perhaps they're working on a new image that they're not quite ready to run with yet.
Other parts of the website still feature the blue and red logo. I wouldn't expect any big unveiling when they do implement the new design, but it's something to keep an eye on throughout the summer.
Chris
Here's a better look at the NHLPA's forthcoming new logo. When I wrote the original post late last night, I forgot to check to see which logo was used on the most important NHLPA document of the year — the new CBA. A handful of you guys pointed out to me that the new mark is in fact right there on the cover. That pretty much makes it official.
So now that you have a better look at it, what do you think? I like how the letters better align with the skater above. Though I don't get the feeling of him being in motion as much as the previous logo.
Reader Comments (17)
You can also see it on the cover of the publicly released PDF of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and on the fronts of the jerseys worn by players during unofficial practices during the lockout.
If you download the new 2013 CBA pdf, the new NHLPA logo is right there on the cover.
The "favicon" of the NHLPA's website is also the new silhouette..
Yes, this is true. I have inside info on this. They're going with the new "Sumo" logo. There was a lot of controversy over the logo change because the old logo is such a classic, but "a new look" prevailed. I'm not sure when it will become official but it is going to be changed.
From that image it also appears that NHL 14 will be the first to feature "TD Garden" on the ice for the Boston Bruins.
Surprised it took you this long to notice. The players wore it all throughout the lockout.
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1204145/8009416908_9561a3ae88_medium.jpg
If this is the "new" logo; it is NOT an upgrade. The silhouette looks stiff and kid-like!
The funny thing is, as smart as it is to be skeptical about new logos showing up in video games, more often than not it turns out to be accurate. Carolina's reebok edge uniforms, Calgary's sock striping...just a few examples that jump to mind.
@Pete: I would probably call it 50/50. But that's not reliable enough for me to rely on it. The example that jumps to mind for me is this. Point is, I won't use a video game as my only source.
His head appears to be facing downward... gotta keep your head up
The negative space for the skate blade in the old logo is really striking when juxtaposed against the solid skate in the new one. But really, the most jarring aspect is the incongruous font - 'NHL' looks fine; 'PA' are another different font, but the 'P' looks italicized, while the 'A' looks upright... odd
Both logos are cheesy if you ask me, but it's not like anyone is flocking to the stores to buy NHLPA jerseys is it? A business like logo for an organization that sort of resembles something like a business. My choice would have been a silhouette of Don Fehr in a carriage, whipping a bridled Gary Bettman.
Don't care much about the NHLPA logo though certainly miss the old black and orange NHL shield logo. And@ BRADY SUF: would be nice if ALL arenas had the real name. One would think EA would get the rights easily since 27 out of the 30 are advertising for the corporations such arenas are named after. Unless one of the parties including EA are actually charging in each case and want too much money.
The old NHLPA logo is a classic example of great design. It's hard to explain, but I think it's a classic, timeless logo that should never be replaced. Very sad to see it go. It's all but official, it seems, so I guess it's gone for good.
It's not bad, but certainly not an improvement. But really, what's the point of having an NHLPA logo, and changing it? it's not like the NHLPA is a brand that needs to be marketed or anything. Was there like a meeting one day where someone was like "we need to change the logo. Reinvent the NHLPA to attract a younger crowd. " ?
The weird thing is, I've seen a few different ads during the Stanley Cup that involve the NHLPA in some way, but accompanying the legal fine print in these ads is the old logo. I have a hard time believing those ads were produced before the ratification of the new CBA though…
The new logo looks horrible. it looks like a seven year old did it at camp with a crayon. the old logo was a classic - this new one looks like a change for the sake of change. Bush league move.