Totally WWII - Team USA

Disclaimer: 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. No, I'm not a tree-hugging hippie.

Independence Day is upon us and it is, by far, my favorite holiday of the year. So, it's only fitting that the next team to be unveiled in the Totally WWII concept is Team U.S.A.

Click image for larger view.

This concept was really a lot of fun to do. I was inspired by a few things here, so let me show you what I found.

The home jersey was inspired by this fantastic Kansas City Americans beauty that I found while looking for jersey styles between the years 1939-1945. I found the image shown here on the blog site Hockey-Blog-In-Canada. This is what the blogger had written about the KC Americans in his post:

"The 1940-41 Kansas City Americans of the American Hockey Association wore these patriotic sweaters before the outbreak of World War II. They only lasted as a franchise for two seasons before the war started, but did return to the league as the Pla-Mors after the war in the newly-formed USHL."

I changed the bottom portion of the home jersey a bit so it would match closer to my new away jersey, which was inspired by the 1932 U.S. Olympic hockey team.

I grew up in the 70's, so there was a lot of fantastic looking patriotic art all over the place at that time. Living in Philly during the bi-centennial, you can imagine all of it. Also, as a kid in the 70's, Evel Knievel reigned supreme! Remember his helmet and suits?? Fantastic! And we can't forget the American Flag boxing shorts that Apollo Creed gave to Rocky. (In Philadelphia, Rocky is real, dammit!)

All of those images came flooding back to me when I saw this jersey, so I had to style my Team U.S.A. after this.

Yes, I understand that the bi-centennial, Rocky's boxing shorts, and the Evel Knievel era occurred decades after WWII, but this is how I want the jerseys to look in my re-imagined movie. Sorry, but I constantly have to remind the haters of that.

While I was trying to figure out what to do for the away jersey, someone sent a link to the '32 Olympic hockey jersey of the Americans (featured here). I decided that my dark jersey would resemble this one a little bit. I wanted a full blue front with a white hem stripe, all while keeping the giant stars on the upper portion of the jersey. I also wanted to make sure I didn't create anything that looked like the stinkin' Rangers.

You'll notice that the new crest was inspired by the '32 Olympics version, but with some obvious modifications. One, it's a larger crest on the jersey. Secondly, I changed out the 13 red and white stripes for the bigger stripes. I wanted something in the crest to match the boldness of the stars and the big sleeve/hem stripes. Also, the shield is a little pointier and the updated "USA" letters sit on a banner.

Ok, that's it.

Again, Team USA was a blast to design. I almost wanna go out and buy War Bonds right now!

Any suggestions on which team you'd like to see next? Feel free to leave your suggestions and comments in the, uh, comments section.

Have a great 4th of July weekend everyone. I'll be in Winston-Salem, NC with the band, rocking the Heavy Rebel Weekender.

Oh, hey, while you're here, why don't you digg this or stumble this blog post. Thanks.

Comments

[MikePho3niX]

You should have posteded Canada's yesterday. It was our Birthday. 142 years.

[johnny griswold]

I didn't know it was Canada Day until it was Canada Day.

[MikePho3niX]

Oh by the way i really like those jerseys, i think it would be a awesome update for them in the olympics coming. I wonder if the Nationl teams have to run the designs by NIKE first like the NHL AHL, and not OHL have to with Reebok.

[Veritas1325]

Looks great! I'd absolutely buy one (I have always loved USA hockey jerseys and own a bunch of them). This has a very Captain America feel - which I actually like a lot.

So, here's a few questions for you: any significance in the 8 stars? Are there five on the back of the jersey to make 13 total / what does the back look like? Why a white color on the white jersey but not on the blue? I think the small addition of white to the blue jersey would look great.

I really love the use of the laces - I wish more teams (especially the Flyers) used them. Maybe for the Hockey Classic this year!

Anyway, really great work on these!

[johnny griswold]

Veritas,

There's no significance to the number of stars. The original Kansas City Americans jersey has nine stars. I got rid of the middle star to make room for the crest. My thinking is, just because you have stars or stripes, doesn't always mean you have to have 13 of them. However, if you can make it work, go for it. If there were 13 stars on the front of this jersey, it would mean they'd have to be a little smaller to fit into the area. I like big and bold!

As for the blue jersey, there is a little bit of white. The bottom hem stripe is white. I wanted the away jersey to look a little like the '32 Olympic jersey.

The one thing I plan on changing now is the collar on the away jersey. It probably should be white.

[Adam]

I definitely think this concept looks better than any real USA jerseys in recent memory (including the 1980). I could see how the stars might be a little too much on the international ice, but the crest is spectacular. I think it looks about 1000 times better than the USA wordmark and circle logos we have been using. How can we get team USA & Nike to buy the rights from you and use it?!?
Making it fit the WWII theme even more, the crest kind of has a bomb shape to it. That looks unintentional, but completely awesome! Best concept EVER.

[johnny griswold]

Hey, thanks Adam. And you're right, it does kinda look like a bomb, now that you pointed it out. (because, honestly, i was seeing an acorn!!)

[johnny griswold]

Oh, and Adam, you're right - this would never fly on international ice! haha. But would be fantastic if it did!

USA! USA! USA!

[Ryne]

Sweet work man.

I generally dont like jerseys that are too busy, but this one works.

[johnny griswold]

Thanks Ryne.

[Koho]

Very Nice!

[will]

very nice - something they should use for the olympics.
better than anything the u.s. has put on the ice in a long time. many of them in the recent past have been too bland.

i don't see why it wouldn't fly on international ice; after all the states used one with more stars and stripes for the 1976 Canada cup series (one of my personal favourites). that one some might think too much to bring back for int'l play.

if you are thinking of doing any more teams for the WWII section - perhaps China or Australia.