PuckDrawn

Totally WWII - Imperial Japan Hockey Jersey Concept

Team Imperial Japan is my first entry into the Totally WWII War-Time Hockey Jersey Concepts project.

An important thing to understand here is that this concept theme is not based on any kind of exhaustive research into the hockey history of each country during the war. There were no fabric samples or forensics involved in getting these designs to be historically accurate. Quite simply, this is an American perspective on how I think hockey jerseys should have looked if we fought the war on ice rather than with bombs and bullets. (And no, I'm not a tree-hugging hippie!)

In doing the quick research, the coolest design and inspiration came from the Japanese Zero fighter plane. There is just something about WWII fighters and bombers that are just bad-ass.

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At first glance, these designs are distinctively American, and may come off as 70's style, but are actually modeled after the 1945 Saint Paul Saints club. Like I said, this is my movie, so I'm willing to suspend reality a little bit.

The main inspiration for these jerseys was the Japanese Zero fighter plane - as well as other Japanese fighters that people confused with the Zero.

From wikipedia: When it was introduced early in World War II, the Zero was the best carrier-based fighter in the world, combining excellent maneuverability and very long range ... The A6M is universally known as the Zero from its Japanese Navy designation, Type 0 Carrier Fighter, taken from the last digit of the Imperial year 2600 (1940), when it entered service. In Japan it was unofficially referred to as both Rei-sen and Zero-sen; Japanese pilots most commonly called their plane Zero-sen.

So, for me, the strongest image of Japan is that of a dog-fighting Zero.

Griffins Logo Sans Stick

Chad Stilson sent in this series of Griffins logos after reading the comments about his previous submissions and the use of a hockey stick in the logo.

A lot of people have commented that they would like to see a version without the stick. Here it is, so what do you think?

Normally I would be all over this stick, but I don't have a problem with this one so much. I think it has something to do with it looking more like a font tail as seen in your traditional baseball logos. Now if the Griffin was biting the stick in half ...

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Grand Rapids Griffins - MORE!

UPDATED:
Griffins concepts submitted by Derek Yoder.

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Chad B. Stilson sends in an alternate version of his previous designs.

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Maple Leafs Concepts

I received some Toronto Maple Leafs concepts today from Mike Ivall. I posted this one on the front page in order to get some discussion from Maple Leafs fans. How would you feel if the Leafs added a black third? I'd be outraged! But then again, it's no secret that I hate jerseys where black is the primary color. Comments?

Click image for larger view. View the rest of Mike's concepts HERE.

More Grand Rapids Griffins Third Jersey Contest Submissions

Well, I certainly didn't expect this much action on a Friday, but I'll take it! This contest is really starting to get some outstanding designs here at the last minute. Another Grand Rapids Griffins concept was emailed to me today by Six Zero. I like this submission; strong image and color scheme. The rich red and blue color combo reminds me a little bit of the Canadians color palette. The griffin image is very illustrative without being too cartoony. (Hey, it's no stick-wielding, angry horse!) Your thoughts?

Click image for larger view.

UPDATE:

Just got this third Griffins submission from Six Zero. Here's what he writes about this submission:

"As we all know, minor league hockey loves special interest night, complete with special on-ice uniforms-- St. Patrick's Day green sweaters, camouflage Veteran's Day sweaters, even the K-Wings Ronald McDonald jerseys are all very memorable. 

In that spirit, I decided to design a sweater for a night, or perhaps several nights, where the would honor the most Griffinsfamous player of their parent club, if not hockey altogether. That's right-- Mr. Hockey-- Gordie Howe, is literally rendered as a sweater crest and paid homage in a modified Red Wings template. I also created a special commemorative patch that would double as shoulder logos on this design."

Comments?