Reworking NHL Uniforms

There's another new artist I've received several submissions from but he's not looking to redesign team logos league-wide — just the uniforms. His sets include a home, road and alternate jersey for every club. On Sunday I posted his Ducks set (it's the first one in the post). But he's been working his way through the NHL alphabetically and I have a few more to share with you today.

We'll begin with the Thrashers.

I have yet to see a design from him that I don't like. And that streak continues with the Bruins.

If you scroll down to the bottom of the post you'll see a bonus alternate sweater design. But first, the Sabres.

A very unique set here mixing old with new in terms of logo design — a rare example of the designer going with a completely new logo. The Flames are next.

In this design he reintroduces the horse head secondary logo (which I always liked) while keeping the jerseys mostly unchanged except for the striping patterns.

And finally, here's a look at that bonus Bruins alternate design.

It's basically a black version of the yellow one above.

I'm enjoying very much being able to post some outstanding work lately from some very talented artists. I look forward to being able to share more with you as ICETHETICS launches in just one week.

Just To Freak You Out XXXVII

Two weeks have elapsed since the last Freak Out Friday, so right on time it's here again. And oddly enough, we're starting where we started last time — with the clubs from New York.

I think that needs no explanation. And sticking with NY for a moment, check out this Buffalo Sabres logo concept.

Yeah it takes a minute to really realize what you're seeing. At first you're thinking, "yeah, that classic '70s logo... but wait, something is a little off about it — aside from the buffalo being yellow, that is." Oh that's it! It has a slug head.

And just when you thought the Sabres hadn't been through enough for one Freak Out post, just wait for this.

Perhaps if the Bills played hockey... No, just no. And while we're on the topic of odd jerseys, we have another.

I believe we've seen something of this nature before, but it's still funny to me.

Now we're heading out west for the rest of the post — starting with a very strange Vancouver Canucks concept logo.

The whale is diving into the "C" ... get it? (Say it out loud if you haven't gotten it yet.)

And with the QMJHL logo tournament in full swing over at ToHL, a reader sent me this logo crossing the Rimouski Oceanic with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Finally, on a completely different tack, someone has not only created a brand for a team, they've created a brand new team. I'm told the Florida Panthers should move to Seattle to become the Totems.

Now I'm no fan of the stinkin' Panthers but if this is the only option, I can't say I'd wholeheartedly support it. The design comes complete with jerseys and everything.

So keep your freaky artwork coming so I can keep this series going. Check back in two weeks for the next Freak Out Friday.

Oh, and to anyone out there who doesn't believe in the evil powers of Friday the 13th, consider this: Tim Russert dropped dead in the NBC newsroom today, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake rattled Japan, Iowa is under water and a tornado just tore off a bunch of roofs and wiped out a Wal-Mart down here in my part of Florida.

Yeah, but that Wal-Mart had it coming.

Wallpaper Wednesday I

As I've mentioned, today I'm launching a new series called Wallpaper Wednesday. In the middle of each week, I'll be showcasing some of the best desktop background artwork that's made its way to my inbox. I've already posted a few wallpapers over the last few days and one of the first was a great Bruins design.

It was created by a reader named Patrick, who is continuing a series based on the original. I've already posted the Oilers and today we have a couple of new ones. First, the Sabres.

I'm sure you Sabres fans love that he used your classic emblem. Also, the Flyers.

Now based on the recent poll, we know that the team with the largest percentage fan base visiting NHLToL is the Vancouver Canucks. So naturally, they've got to be included here. And I really like this wallpaper.

It's designed for a widescreen display yet at the same time compatible with standard screens. To those of you submitting wallpapers, I (and many others) would be forever grateful if you could work with this in mind.

This Thrashers wallpaper is also designed for widescreen, except in this case it's not completely compatible with standard monitors because of where the NHL logo is placed in the corner.

Finally, this one is absolutely stellar and while the focus isn't a logo, I can't pass up the chance to post it.

That's all for this week. If you sent something and I haven't posted it yet, don't worry, I'll get to it eventually. Thanks to everyone who has submitted!

Just To Freak You Out XXXVI

Time this evening for a Freak Out post. I know you've been waiting eagerly for two long weeks. We'll kick things off in New York. What do you say we mix all three NY clubs? And then do it all over again?

The things people come up with. Now if we head west you might find the odd Mighty Ducks jersey with interesting striping.

But staying out west things only get stranger.

I don't think I even need to say anything about that. It's just weird.

Got a couple of crazy logos to share as well. It's Phoenix — in its mythical sense, I suppose.

To finish off tonight's Freak Out Friday, we'll dive into the Stanley Cup series and look at the only two clubs still playing hockey this season.

Folks often try to "update" the Red Wings logo yet it never seems to take.

I can't imagine why. And I'm all about the powder blue Penguins jerseys allegedly making a return in the fall...

...but make up your mind at least. It's gold or it's blue. It obviously can't be both.

Join me again in two weeks for another edition and keep sending in your freaky artwork and I'll keep posting.

Speaking Of The Sabres...

First thing: don't forget to vote to help Matt choose the color scheme for the Sabres rebranding. Second: I have Buffalo concept art to go along!

I know you guys have been eagerly awaiting the new batch of concept art and I apologize for the delay. I've been focusing my attention on the launch of Icethetics. I'm anticipating having it ready at some point in the next few weeks. At some point I should probably explain how that's going to work but that's not what this post is about.

We've got a very nicely designed blue sweater there with the old "goathead" logo on the chest. Nice color/logo mix there but probably not something we're apt to see at any point the future.

We've also got a nice shield which accents the "sabres" part of the design a little better.

And this would be a great throwback concept if Buffalo didn't already have the perfect vintage jerseys with the 1970s look.

Then, going totally off the beaten path is one of the coolest looking jersey concepts I've seen in a long time.

I know it's out there and it's contrast makes it difficult to place as a home or road sweater, but I love this idea. It's done so well. The design is based off of a logo created by John Slabyk.

All of these make for great artwork but will likely never see the light of day. However, that hasn't stopped a few fans from making their dreams come true. Recently, if you did an ebay search, you might have come across this gem.

You could even find it in white.

I'm not sure that what you see here is available anymore or even legal under copyright laws. But it's a beautiful design and I'd be willing to bet there are countless Sabres fans who would die for that logo to don that jersey on NHL ice.

So I hope you guys enjoyed the return of the concept art. I plan to have more up this week. You guys have been submitting some really great work! And stay tuned for a Freak Out Friday at the end of the week!

Poll: Guide GFB's New Rebrand

By about a 100 votes, you guys chose the Buffalo Sabres as the subject of Matt's concept series, Rebranding The NHL. The point of my partnership with him is to allow you guys to guide the direction of his work since, after all, this is for the fans anyway. You guys know what you want and Matt knows how to make it look great.

So as he gets started on creating a new look for the Sabres, let him know what color scheme he should go with. Do you want the royal blue, yellow and white of the '70s? Should it be the new navy, yellow, silver and white of the Buffaslug era? Would you want to see something more along the lines of what John Slabyk introduced with navy, gold and white? Or did you love the "goathead" era of blue, red, silver and white?

Place your vote and then feel free to leave a comment about your decision. Get your friends to drop in and vote too! The more voices heard, the more accurate the results!

This poll will close at 6 PM a week from today on Tuesday, May 20. So get your votes in now.

If you're thinking Matt should go with an entirely new color scheme or you have other suggestions regarding logos, uniforms, or the general direction of this new design, you can even email him directly at gfb_designs@yahoo.com.

Happy voting!

Fan Art To Finish Your Weekend

I think I promised you guys a concept post before the weekend was out, so here it is. I've assembled some of my favorite designs from my stash. There's a lot of quality work, so let's dive in.

First, an interesting new look for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I'd like to see the jerseys that go with it. If nothing else, the production value is through the roof on this one.

But if you want to talk excellent concept logos, look no further than this one for the Washington Capitals.

I admit I had to stare at it a while, but there it is, a "W" and a "C." And I don't know why it took us so long to realize that if you put those two letters together the right way, it forms a star! However, I'm not sold on the wordmark. I get the whole Declaration of Independence thing (been watching John Adams today), but for a sports team it's not a good idea.

I like that Thrashers jersey as well. With much thanks to Jacob at We're Revolting! for that one.

You guys always give me trouble for my aversion to yellow jerseys, but I've come across a bunch that I actually like — despite their resemblance to what I can only assume is Hillary Clinton's favorite suit.

Well, it's the Boston Bruins of course. Can any other team really do a yellow sweater?

This second set wouldn't work because yellow is still a light color. It wouldn't work as a dark home jersey. However, I am intrigued by the use of the secondary logo with a black background and yellow text.

Up next are the Chicago Blackhawks.

All those stripes do weird things to my brain. And there's not enough contrast in the other one. But I don't know, either could work as a temporary third jersey.

Finally, it's the Buffalo Sabres.

It's a nice logo on a traditional uniform design. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find nay-sayers.

That's good for now. Stay tuned for new polls going up tomorrow both here and at ToHL. Here, we'll have Cam Ward and Josh Harding going head to head and for the WHL Tournament of Logos, it'll be the Calgary Hitmen and the winner of the Americans/Thunderbirds poll which closes tonight.

New York Fan Art

Today's concept post theme is the great state of New York. Mostly we've got Buffalo Sabres artwork, but we'll kick things off with the New York Islanders.

That's a fan-designed logo I posted a while back. I like the orange jersey.

This Sabres design makes an attempt at a new logo.

Quite unique, I must say. Also got a pair of Sabres pieces, one of which involves John Slabyk's logos.

That's all for tonight. Get your votes in by tomorrow for the goalie mask tournament. It starts soon!

Guitar Logos, Part 2 of 10

Last week I posted the first in a series of designs for guitars based on the shapes and designs of the various NHL team logos. We're going alphabetically and so began with Anaheim, Atlanta and Boston.

Today, we start with the Buffalo Sabres.

I think the primary would've worked better on the other end. You'll see what I mean in a minute.

The Calgary Flames is cool. But you've got a big hole under the strings and the logo on the other end is no longer used.

The Carolina Hurricanes is by far one of my favorites to this point.

And this is what I meant about the Sabres.

This design was submitted by a different reader but it's very effective. I like the hockey stick used in it. More guitars are on the way so keep an eye out for that.

This last thing is a quick note about the upcoming goalie mask tournament. I've got 66 mask graphics made so I'm thinking we'll do a two-poll preliminary round to decide which two goalies make the final cut for the 64-goalie competition. It's going to be the biggest thing we've done here yet. Can't wait to get it started!

Voting ends Friday. At that point we'll know which 32 goalies will be placed in the bracket first. I'll announce their opponents over the weekend and I'm anticipating posting the first poll on Monday.

Just To Freak You Out XXX

LIVE FROM VANCOUVER!

Unfortunately I didn't have time last night to post the 30th Freak Out installment. So here it is a little belated. And I've got to start out with something just downright ridiculous. As you know the Quest For The Worst ended this week with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks' third jersey logo taking the cake. It faced the Boston Bruins' secondary logo from the '70s and '80s. Imagine those two logos getting together.

Pretty horrific, eh? (When in Canada...)

Anyway, we've got all American team artwork for this Freak Out post today, by the way. We continue on with the ultimate American team — the Rangers. Where do they play again? Could it be the... "big apple"?

It's the logo I'd envision for a team made up entirely of elementary school teachers. And skylines across jerseys never seem to work.

And they have a better Statue of Liberty logo than that. See previous.

Up next: the St. Louis Blues who happen to be in town tonight facing the Canucks. Couple of really freaky concepts here.

Yet another yellow jersey.

And a sweater which uses old colors and an even older logo.

I'll finish things off with a logo that I debated posting here. On the one hand it's an abstract, unique design. On the other hand, it's abstract... very abstract.

Very abstract.

And so ends another episode of the Freak Out series — live from Vancouver. I've got a couple more days left here in town. We went up to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain today. Best day of the trip by far!