NHL PROTOTYPES 2: Designing the ’90s

From the creation of the NHL’s original third jersey program to the birth of several expansion teams, join me for an inside look at prototype logo and jersey designs like never before-featuring in-depth interviews with the designers!
In the 1990s, The Mednick Group was one of the NHL’s top design agencies-charged with developing new team identities and some of the league’s first alternate uniforms. Dan Simon and Ken Loh were among the creative forces behind those designs and are sharing the inside story!
▪️ CHAPTERS ▪️
00:00 - Introduction
00:51 - Meet Dan Simon & Ken Loh
03:10 - The Florida Blockbusters
05:25 - Birth of the Burger King
06:34 - Trying Teal in Philly
08:29 - Replacing the Whalers
09:45 - Collaboration for Columbus
11:05 - Bonus: Developing the Wild
11:54 - Bonus: Sabres Sneak Peek
This video showcases a variety of rejected designs created under the guidance of NHL franchises. Enjoy more from this series:
Part 1: What Might Have Been ▸ • NHL PROTOTYPES 1: What...
Part 3: Gone But Not Forgotten ▸ • NHL PROTOTYPES 3: Gone...
Special thanks to Dan Simon of www.studiosimon.net and Ken Loh for taking the time to share their experiences while working for The Mednick Group in the 1990s.
Featured teams include the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes (Hartford Whalers), Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Includes original artwork by The Mednick Group, Dan Simon, Ken Loh, Van Duong, Peter Thornburgh, SME Design, and Steve O’Laughlin.

[@connorbaetzhold2669]

Wish the Jersey concept community was bigger. These videos are SO interesting and well made, deserve more views and likes

[@mattnorris7124]

I feel like I have a lot of good design ideas, just no way of bringing them to life because I'm severely, physically artistically limited

[@TheHeston83]

wish Teams would give them more looks as well

[@gabuz672]

It’s so weird how this is best quality stuff you could get yet there’s only 5k subs

[@icethetics]

Thanks, Gabriel! We just gotta keep spreading the word, right?

[@ianf9253]

@@icethetics I didn’t even know you had a KZbin channel-this stuff is fantastic. All of your work is fantastic-THANK YOU.

[@evanbenetti7952]

Honestly, he makes super high quality videos

[@evanbenetti7952]

I’m here before he blew up🙌🙌

[@josephbarkley3301]

I agree I love this stuff

[@astrotopia1417]

I feel like I’m watching NHL Network, well done!

[@johnf6063]

This is better than NHL Network

[@hehehe4364]

Insanely high quality!

[@zaedrah3378]

dude Ken Loh's Panthers design is seriously so sick. Looks like it could have been their look in another life

[@subraxas]

I think that they could still use it as a shoulder patch on one of their future third jerseys.

[@RB-ll8qc]

This could be a mini series 10 hours long and I would watch every bit of it.

[@CreightonRabs]

I remember being a sports editor of a small college newspaper in New Hampshire in the 1990s and we were lucky enough to be one of the first publications to publish the new Patriots logo in 1993. We might have actually published it on the same day in was released (our newspaper had a Tuesday deadline for a Wednesday publication) but I can't recall off the top of my head. That was a pretty cool moment for us. Yes, I know this is about hockey logos, but the fact that you featured the guy who designed the Pats logo triggered that memory for me.

[@stephenhawkingsfootballboo7885]

I also seem to remember watching a Pats halftime show where they brought out huge versions of the then current 'Pat the Patriot' logo and the one they have now. They asked fans to applaud to show which logo they liked the best. Pat the Patriot was the clear winner, but two years later they came out with the new one anyway!

[@StingWrayMedia]

I've never clicked on a video so fast. I love this

[@jreiland07]

Logos like those of the Flyers and Habs are iconic because they don’t try to do too much. No more than two or three colors and a shape that can be drawn from memory. Being associated with a successful era in a team’s history also helps.

[@ethanhatcher5533]

Winged Liberty Bell logo was kinda sick ngl And at the same time, full body Stinger is beyond cursed

[@scootscootriot1020]

Stinger was an absolute horror show. I love the current logo. Which was their third jersey at the time. I was so happy they kept it.

[@mattnorris7124]

That font type for the Flyers was also dope, it stands up even against what we have being produced now

[@emmettjenkins6122]

If the NHL itself tried to create a video on this topic, it would not even touch the quality and depth of this video. Perfection.

[@icethetics]

Thanks Emmett! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DJVexillum]

I was actually at that event in the old Aud where the new logo concepts were being previewed. I was just a kid back then but it was very sneaky that there was absolutely no red and black on display.

[@kevinhover461]

Black and Red was to appease John Rigas since he was taking a minority stake (at the time) in the team.

[@Becksy_93]

Okay, but seriously. The quality, entertainment factor and the communicated amount of information in these videos is insane! I’m not even that hugely into hockey, like I’d consider myself a casual watcher, but as someone who is greatly into sports and jerseys in general this channel is a revelation! Keep up the fantastic work!

[@icethetics]

Thank you for the kind words! Happy to hear you're enjoying the videos.

[@scottwunder9473]

Love these videos Chris , can you pleeeeasse do a full video on the Vancouver Canucks logo history ..I would love to see prototypes from 1970 to other ideas before they switched to the Flying V and before the orca.

[@Rockman_Halo]

GOD these videos are so cool. That flyers logo with the wings and the unused word mark are rad

[@jgp7414]

Wow I never realized that the wild logo was a head!!

[@nickjones9304]

being a wild fan, I hear this a lot. I think that is the beauty of their logo though. still catching people by surprise 20 years laters!

[@BiG_JJ227]

Sup. Can you do a brand history vid on the canucks? I thought Vancouver is a interesting one to do.

[@iBendThings]

That Flyers jersey design feels like it would work well with almost any logo. Love that design. Good job, Ken.

[@koteras1284]

If I could buy stock on youtube channels I'd be all in on this channel. Love the content & production value!

[@Sarkono13]

I have never seen a channel with such a high production quality, most nhl teams don't have production quality for their videos be this good.

[@icethetics]

Thanks Andrew! Very kind of you to say.

[@SolidSnake684]

Amazing video! I could watch stuff like this for hours. Logo and jersey design has always been a key factor in my love for hockey, and videos like these make me feel like less of a weirdo for talking my family's ear off about jersey design in the middle of a game.

[@johnwayne6654]

This channel is unfuckingbelivably great...it’s hard to find videos on this level of excellence for any sport as a whole, let alone hockey... Thank you for the amazing content!!

[@icethetics]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@mcj88]

I know the Blue Jackets' stinger logo is oft-maligned, to the point that the team scrapped it before they ever played a game, but honestly I really like it - it's certainly more _interesting,_ IMO at least, than the "CJB" initialism that replaced it.

[@crowblade211]

Wow!! Another great video keep up the good work!

[@keenans.gaming2778]

Omg I was waiting for a new video. This is awesome thank you such well done

[@andrewclarke8630]

Incredible work Chris! Been a fan since NHLToL...keep it coming !!

[@BoggsProductions]

Love the vids keep it up!

[@Super_Mega_Huge]

Hell yeah, y’all are back with another one of these ! Of all the great content y’all have been dropping, these vids are my favorite, no doubt.

[@moron95M3]

This is amazing work! Great to hear from the designers, well done!

[@tatuhiltunen8172]

Chris, thank you! Even long time followers get a little bit of new info every episode, and the quality of your content blows my mind. Keep it up, the jersey community is behind you.

[@SageShark]

Amazing stuff as always, Chris goes far beyond any level of production we’ve ever seen on this topic 👍🏽

[@TheKillerCack]

Love these, keep up the awesome work!

[@icethetics]

Thanks! Will do!

[@BrazFencil]

That Carolina CH anchor logo with the subtle “W” Whalers call back is freaking siiiiiick. I still think they should use it.

[@thekeegster6278]

Logo designs are low key my favorite aspect of sports. The amazing attention to detail and the colors and the amazing art people can come up with for teams really intrigues me! I’m so excited for more! Thank you, Chris!

[@snipewa4]

Very well done. Really great production value and delivery here wow.

[@mikesmith-mt8oc]

Another great video, Chris!!!!

[@harrierjames7727]

Wonderful, quality video as always! Loved seeing that C/H Carolina Hurricanes logo... very different to another logo in the league that incorporates a C and an H!

[@christianmyers9958]

These videos are SO well done, can’t believe they don’t have more views.

[@arcsine]

These are awesome. Just needs to get spread around more and subs and views will go up. Like the quality is better than 90% of whats out there too. Please keep at it because I absolutely love this kind of thing. I literally had no idea there was a CB in that CBJ ribbon logo until this video lmaooo

[@JoeyB-2001]

This video blew me away with the quality. This is amazing!

[@pizzazombie5209]

Seeing that scrapped Carolina anchor logo hurts so much. It's so much better than their current identity.

[@YouTube.Algorithmic.Nonsense]

The production quality of this video is off the charts.

[@jgagnier]

3 days into this video's life, not a single dislike. Indeed, what a great job you've done.

[@nathanstone6408]

This is so professionally done that I am shocked at how little love this channel has. I am now subscribed and I hope you find the million plus more subs that you deserve!

[@icethetics]

Thanks, Nathan! I hope so too!

[@idontgivetkachuk]

Very enjoyable!! Great job!!

[@lukeheaton5336]

I’ve watched two of these videos and they are so informative and well crafted that I had to smash that “subscribe” button. This is such a fertile topic, there can be a lot more similar videos. Keep up the great work, don’t sacrifice quantity for quality and I look forward to seeing more of these great videos in the future.

[@icethetics]

Thanks for the kind words, Luke!

[@CKdunno]

I love it when y’all do these stuff

[@bwgraphics6540]

Loving these vids!

[@alexnizzardo5639]

As a sports designer this channel is a gold mine!

[@TrevorAWilliams]

The production value is incredible! The content is fantastic! One suggestion - music during the interviews - the mix isn't working for me. I wonder if the music volume needs to be lowered or music removed entirely.

[@philipl5458]

Love this series!

[@robbiebalboa]

I’m a soccer Fan but I’m a sucker for Hockey Logos & These rejected concepts are fascinating. Love the content.

[@arjundhatt]

What a top-quality video!

[@michaelmessina1509]

i genuinely thought i was watching a tv documentary then the video ended. amazing stuff you got going!!

[@orionataylor]

Another great video. I'm loving this series as there has been a ton of concept art / logos that I've never seen before! Thanks for all the hard work you're putting into these. Top notch!

[@icethetics]

Thanks Orion! I always love digging up work that hasn’t been seen before.

[@paxhumana2015]

@@icethetics , on 1:13 in the video, I know that the first two logos are the current Los Angeles Kings logo and the Nashville Predators logo, but what team had the logo that is to the right of the Nashville Predators logo? Please let me know the answer to that question. Thank you.

[@ediaz951]

I love this channel so much

[@Canucksfan43]

Love your vids!

[@betaraycomics9072]

Wow man, your channel is great!

[@54CA]

Love this series

[@Windyyyyyyyyy]

i remember there was a hint at the islanders having multiple more concepts for their 90's jerseys, and they were claimed to be better than the fisherman as well by chris king. I wonder if those design sheets will ever come up again, because im curious what those designs looked ike

[@thatguyiguess2694]

dude, the consistent quality in these videos is astounding, great work!

[@icethetics]

Much appreciated!

[@LucasGates92]

As always Chris, well done.

[@nickjones9304]

absolutely awesome video!

[@icethetics]

Thanks, Nick! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@chevelle1]

Excellent channel, subscribed

[@christophermulligan3258]

Your videos are fantastic.

[@davidstraub7295]

this is one of the best hockey channels on youtube

[@stenzo101]

absolutely fantastic

[@holdynryan8240]

Keep doing these !!

[@wdnicolson]

Great content 👏👏

[@baloothepibble8421]

I love logos and the entire process

[@duckattak]

Love this series you can tease us with part 73 right now and I’ll be hyped

[@willthatcher9686]

As a designer and sports fan. love this channel so much. Bless you

[@icethetics]

Thank you for watching! 💙

[@rileymoses4311]

good videos man i like it

[@MoneyPheneTV]

Love this content

[@shanielcabral]

Cycling through those 90’s logos makes me realize how much better they were

[@Typokeke]

Wild logo is one of the best!

[@RabidGolfclub]

This guy’s awesome! Can’t say I’m the biggest hockey fan, mostly due to exposure and I really have to go out if my way to watch hockey. But these videos are super interesting and I’d love to see similar stuff about other sports!😅😁

[@edwardburek1717]

This is absolutely amazing!! Please tell me there's a blog accompanying this epic series!!

[@icethetics]

You can always drop by www.icethetics.com!

[@BlueShoeMagoo]

Been following Icethetics since the .info days. Great content as always! 👍

[@icethetics]

That's a long time! Thanks Paul!

[@tintinsimon]

Amazing content

[@Dyl72]

These vids are so cool

[@joshualanders6779]

Love how he is wearing a admirals jersey ! One of my favorite all teams!

[@icethetics]

Yeah, Dan designed that jersey as well as the team’s logos. Ads will be the subject of a future video!

[@marcluu2433]

The quality of the video is very impressive

[@pa_whitecar]

Nice video! Talk about the Sens!

[@Youre-Welcome]

Jeez there is SO MUCH to unpack about the Wild logo, and it got glazed over 🙆‍♀️

[@icethetics]

Right?! I could go back an do an entire video on the Wild alone.

[@Feurmc_]

Part 3 please‼️

[@tgs2141]

I know Ottawa’s original Jersey was to have the Parliament Building on it

[@Blades500]

I believe green was one of their primary colors

[@tgs2141]

@@Blades500 Well the jerseys had a Red, White and Black

[@Blades500]

@@tgs2141 oh shit you're right...my bad. I thought there was more green

[@tgs2141]

@@Blades500 it’s ok😊

[@Hockeygabe]

Best videos on KZbin!

[@BarberSpider8]

We need more prototype videos!!

[@francisforte4782]

Thanks!

[@ianwatling3930]

woah i thought this was some huge channel wtf this quality is great

[@icethetics]

Thanks, I'm justing getting this channel started. Hoping more people keep finding it!

[@ClipsThatTakeUpStorageOnMyXbox]

8:05 that is SICK

[@Jhudson5150]

Best jersey content on the planet

[@icethetics]

Thanks Jason! Glad you're enjoying it.

[@commandershepard1838]

I really liked those old blue jackets and Sabres logos (the red, black, and grey one).

[@bruhbruhbruhbruh7137]

this is so good

[@icethetics]

Thanks Greg!

[@mmilesQ]

Love it!

[@icethetics]

Thanks Miles!

[@matthewduffy3075]

Great video

[@icethetics]

Thanks Matthew!

[@Habu12]

I used to do this as a kid, redesign stuff. Wish I had kept the work! I sort of made it a career, becoming a draftsman for many years. But I never got to work on big names.

[@0yal569]

better quality than NHL channel's stuff

[@othertwishart]

Not gonna lie, this is phenomenal editing. Your channel should be MUCH bigger.

[@icethetics]

In time, hopefully. Thank you!