Iowa Chops? No, I'm Not Kidding

So the American Hockey League will have a new team this fall based out of Iowa which will serve as the Anaheim Ducks' minor league affiliate. And they're called the Chops.

Yes, the Iowa Chops. I'm not even making a joke here. And if I was, it would be a bad one. What is a Chop? See below for the logo.

All right, now that you've peeled yourself off the floor, wiped away the tears of laughter and stumbled helplessly back to the computer, take another look at it.

Still bad, isn't it? I'm surprised because nowadays I think we've come to expect more from new expansion clubs. Better names, better logos. I mean, consider the Ontario Reign of the ECHL. Great name, great logo — though I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't initially realize Ontario was a city in California. Despite living in an ECHL town, I pay almost no attention to that league.

Anyway, I'm eager to hear what you guys think of the Iowa Chops and their new logo. I'll be putting together new logo tournaments for the AHL and ECHL some time this year, by the way.

My NY Times Shoutout!

Got a very cool mention today on Slap Shot the New York Times' hockey blog. I'm very proud. Who knew people were actually reading this drivel? But I certainly appreciate the attention.

Blog writer Stu Hackel writes:

Here’s something to help you enjoy: One of our thousands, er, hundreds, er, dozens, er, two or three regular readers, Ms. Conduct, has her own site and one of her other fave blogs is Icethetics where the proprietor, Chris, has been engaged in inventing imaginative re-designs of NHL uniforms.

Hockey fans have always been proud of the game’s jerseys (or sweaters, or shirts or whatever you wanna call them). They are the best in sports. Some are better than others, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them all. So if you’ve got the time and inclination, these are worth checking out and checking back periodically to see the new ones.

In case you wanted to check out Ms. Conduct's blog, click here. It's a good read.

Anyway, pardon the vanity but sometimes its nice just to talk about something cool that's happened to me. Though it's not really just me. You guys are the reason I bother to do this in the first place — you keep coming back for more. With daily hit counts higher than I could've possibly imagined before I began doing this, I'm definitely proud.

Again, thanks for continuing to visit and submit the best fan-made hockey concept art on the web!

Sens, Wild Sweater Art

Remember that video I posted over the weekend teasing the new Senators jersey designs from capn89? — a guy named Paul, actually. Anyway, the final designs are done and ready for posting.

You can't deny the awesomeness of those. I personally love the third jersey. There's even a set of three with lots of crazy stripes.

I have some more stuff you need to think back for. About a month ago I posted a bit about what the new Wild third jersey might look like. A reader submitted a few designs based off of what was seen at the event.

And just for good measure, there's even this one.

Short post today, I know, but you've got wallpapers too. Maple Leafs fans, I've got some great stuff for you tomorrow. And don't forget, this Friday brings another edition of the Freak Out series — not to mention the new iPhone 3G. I think it's about time for me to upgrade my $15 cell phone. Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me over the weekend. It'll be because I'll have a new toy.

Wallpaper Wednesday V

Today's edition brings us seven new wallpapers to choose from. But before I get to those, I wanted to address something about artwork submission. I don't want to call anyone out, but you guys can't be sending me stuff to post that doesn't belong to you. It's not fair to the artist. I know sometimes you might find great artwork on another web site that you want to share with everyone here. That's fine and I'm willing to make an exception so long as you attribute the source so I can link back.

Now onto today's wallpapers. We'll begin with one for Bruin Marc Savard.

I like this one a lot — which is why I'm posting it first. Not to be outdone, a couple of Flyers fans put together some cool designs.

Above is Daniel Briere. Below, Joffrey Lupul.

And we can't leave out the league's rising stars including Minnesota's Marian Gaborik...

...as well as Washington's Alex Ovechkin.

I think we'll finish out the post with a couple of logo-based backgrounds.

If you're not a fan of the Islanders, what about the Hurricanes?

One last thing. A couple weeks ago I posted some beautiful Ducks-themed wallpapers that originated at a site called AllDucksGraphics.com. If you're a Ducks fan — and even if you're not — you will definitely want to check it out. Well worth the time.

New Logos For Windy City & Big D

You know I had another Sabres concept logo to post today but considering the reaction in the comments to yesterday's post, I think I'll hold off.

Instead, I've got concept logos for other teams out west. Well, I don't know, Chicago's west of something, right? We're starting with the Blackhawks and you know I'm always up for a good 'Hawks logo. Take in this one.

Here's how it looks on a jersey.

It's really quite something. It might be a little too intricate to make a good hockey logo, but then you could say that about the current Blackhawks logo. Anyway I enjoyed it and I figured you guys might too.

But moving on now to Dallas. I have a few Stars concept designs.

And on a jersey, it may look something like this.

These designs are of a lesser quality, but you get the idea.

And finally, one more logo from the same artist as above — I think an alternate incarnation of the tertiary from that logo set.

I know I didn't have much to say today but it was another one of those long days. Started work at 3:30 AM. Finished at 5 PM. Not exactly my idea of fun, but I'll live. Enjoy your night. Wallpapers tomorrow!

UPDATE (7/15 2:15 AM): As has been mentioned in the comments, the Stars logo above is actually the logo of the Texas Stars, a new AHL franchise set to begin play in 2009 as a Dallas affiliate — and not original concept art.