Hockey for Haiti

Georges LaraqueGeorges Laraque may no longer have an NHL team, but now he has a new team. Team Haiti.

Laraque joined IceJerseys.com in promoting their new line of Hockey for Haiti gear, the proceeds from which all go to benefit relief efforts in the devastated nation.

Details can be found in the press release:

On Tuesday, February 2, Georges Laraque visited the English Montreal School Board’s LaurenHill Academy Senior Campus in St. Laurent to accept a cheque for $6,506 for his World Vision project to build a new hospital in Haiti.

During the event, IceJerseys.com unveiled its Hockey for Haiti jersey, featuring a logo designed by Icethetics artist Gary Cekus, and presented it to Laraque on stage. Cekus was the winner of two recent Icethetics logo design contests — both IceJerseys.com's KractIce brand and the USF Ice Bulls' hockey club as well.

Hockey for HaitiIf you've been thinking about donating money to Haiti's recovery, as a hockey fan, there's no better way. People in need get help and you get a hockey jersey! Plus, it's only $75.

In the photo above, you see Georges Laraque in a white jersey, but a blue one is also available as are a handful of t-shirts and even a hoodie. Plenty of options in every price range.

Laraque is of Haitian descent and still has not heard from some family members living in Haiti at the time of the January 12 earthquake.

Icethetics concept artists recently submitted 15 different designs for a Haiti hockey jersey in an effort to bring awareness to the tragedy.

Hope for Haiti

While we're on the topic of charity today, one of the worst natural disasters in history happened on Tuesday. I can't begin to imagine the devastation and despair in Haiti right now. That being said, Icethetics is making a modest donation to the recovery efforts in the island nation. I'd encourage you to do the same if you haven't already.

I also figured that one way we can keep Haiti in the thoughts of Icethetics readers is by putting together some kind of design contest. There'd be no prize (so "contest" may be misleading). It would just be a way to bring continued awareness to the tragedy.

So if you're an Icethetics concept artist (or not), think about designing a Haitian national hockey team jersey. Obviously, the country's never fielded an actual team, so you'd have to start from scratch. It would be like the Jamaicans having a bobsled team— Wait...

Anyway, I just thought this would be something nice to do for a good reason. Send in your concepts by email and I'll add them to this post. Here's a graphic that might help you get started.

Haitian national flag

For a better look at the seal that adorns it, click here.

Update on Sunday · Jan 17 · 2010 | 6:20 PM PST by Chris

Just posted a handful of the Haiti concept art I've received on the Concepts page.