IceHL: Slight Change In Plans

Just wanted to update everyone on the status of the IceHL project. As you've seen, the final names for the South Division have been posted. You've got the next three weeks to design and submit your logos for that division.

Which brings me to why I'm writing tonight. I expected to have the logo ratings pages posted for the Pacific Division this weekend. Obviously that hasn't happened. The trouble is figuring out the best way to present and rate the logos that have been submitted. The idea I had in mind fell through.

Ideally, you'd be presented with a slideshow which would display each logo set one at a time. You'd rate it and move to the next one. Unfortunately, without some sort of automated process, that is going to take me quite a while to build and I just don't have the free time for it.

So I'm exploring new ideas. That means the logo rating process will not begin this week. It may be next week or later. But in the meantime, we've still got other things to do. Keep the logo submissions coming for the three divisions that are open. I'll be posting the name ratings pages for the Southeast Division tomorrow at some point — haven't had time to build those pages this weekend.

If anyone out there has any ideas for me, I'm all ears. Just drop me a line.

And tomorrow I'll be offering a preview of the logos available for the Central Division. Surprisingly, there were a lot fewer submissions for this division. There were 42 submissions for the Pacific Division yet only 24 for the Central. They're quality designs for the most part but it just means you won't have as much to choose from.

While I'm here, I thought I'd address a minor issue that seems to have popped up regarding team names. I mentioned earlier not using the Houston Apollos because there was an old Central Hockey League team with that name. Others have asked why I didn't disqualify the Montreal Olympiques for a similar reason — the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. The answer is in the city. It's that simple.

I'd prefer not to use the same identity of a team that already exists whether it be pro or semi-pro — especially in the hockey world. You can complain all you want about how the rules don't seem to be evenly applied — and I know there are those of you that will, but I don't look at things as black and white. I look at what's relevant to a situation.

I hope that helps explain things. I'd be happy to answer any other questions by email.