My logo redesign for the Big Ern's Boys hockey club

Back in 2004, I designed a logo for my Uncle Ernie's hockey team, Big Ern's Boys. Based on the old Ottawa Senators logo, it featured my Uncle Ernie's handsome, mustachio'd mug, circa 1982.

That logo served the team well for almost a decade. They had a chance to get some brand new, and more importantly CLEAN uniforms, and with that, a chance to redesign the logo. I was honoured to have the chance to be involved.

The uniforms look sharp! I was very happy that the team decided to spend the money to keep the original logo in the design, including it as a shoulder patch as a nice tribute to the past.

As for the front, well, it now features a new design that pays tribute to the old Hartford Whalers logo. The Hartford Whaler's logo is universally lauded as being nothing short of genius, featuring a hidden "H" in the whitespace formed between the "W" for Whalers and the giant blue whale tail that forms the upper half.

In the Big Ern's tribute, the W is duplicated and rotated to form a stylized BE, for Big Ern. Underneath that, the whale's tail was turned upsided down and modified to represent the mustache my Uncle made famous in the early 1980s.

Nowhere near as genius as the logo that inspired it, but I'm pretty proud of it nonetheless.

For those curious, the jerseys were produced by All Canadian Emblem, at 447 Bannatyne Avenue in Winnipeg.

Currently playing: TSN Radio 1290 - Hustler & Lawless
Proudly in my seventh Cola free year!

Tim Stapleton, or "The One That Waved To Me"

Although a win in regulation would have been ideal, there is still a bit of "joy in Joyland" here in Winnipeg tonight, after Jets forward Tim Stapleton scored in overtime to win a critical game against the Washington Capitals.

I noticed Tim Stapleton's speed and skill early on in the season, and I liked that he seemed to be a very down to earth, likeable human being.  But it wasn't until I attended the Jets game verses the St. Louis Blues on February 25th that he became one of my favourites.

It was Madelyn's first Winnipeg Jets game.  A moment of pride for any father. We got there as early as we could, and went down to ice level to get as close to the players as we could during their pre-game skate.  She was a little bit awestruck as she caught a glimpse of her favourite player, Dustin Byfuglien.  

While she stood at the edge of the glass watching the players go round and round (including Pavelec, or to her, "That Guy With Pillows On His Feet"), a blue shadow zipped up to her on the other side of the glass.  It didn't even phase her, as she was focused on the players at centre ice.

Her concentration was interrupted by the 'tap-tap-tap' of a stick on the glass.  Slightly startled, she looked up to see #14 Tim Stapleton standing right in front of her.  He put is hand up and waved at her.

She was stunned!  She quickly composed herself, and waved back.  A big smile played across his face, and she responded with a nervous, but excited giggle, and a huge smile herself!

And like that, he was gone, leaving Madelyn still waving at him.

She had found a new favourite player for the game.

Tim Stapleton.

Or as she referred to him, "The One That Waved To Me".

The entire interaction took all of 10 seconds, far too quick to get a photo, but I did get this shot of her about 5 seconds after Stapleton skated away. She was glowing.

I'm sure Tim Stapleton will never read this. In the unlikely event he does, thank you. You made my daughter's first Jets game memorable.

Currently playing: Run DMC - Rock Box

Currently colouring: An as yet unsolicited Marvel Masterwork! 

Proudly in my sixth Cola free year!