This week i bring you guys the Springfield Falcons. They play in the AHL and are based out of Springfield, MA and currently play at the MassMutual Center. The team began play in the 1995 season. When first introduced into the AHL they had Hartford Whalers and Winnipeg Jets affiliates. Up until last year team was an affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers. Starting in the in the 2010-2011 season the team is going to play under the Columbus Blue Jackets for a one year deal. They also have a one year option. Stay tuned for more Springfield Falcons in the new team colors.

Granted the NHL may not as be a popular sport as the NBA, MLB, and NFL, But it does have a strong following and people like to represent their teams. Being Located in New Jersey and Home of the Devils we understand what it is to be fans. With New York a short drive away we get alot of requests for New York Islander New Era Fitteds. Recently we started dropping more starting with the 2 most recent in O.G. color schemes. The 1st being in Blue Azure and Orange and the 2nd being in Navy, Aqua and Orange.

In 1972 an advertising executive named John Alogna from East Meadow created the original version of the Islanders logo with the NY over a shadow of Long Island. The current logo has pretty much stayed the same but features a darker shade of blue, a smaller outline of Long Island with a blue and orange border.

Before the 95 – 96 season the Islanders tried to update their look. What came from that was a Longshoremen holding a hockey stick infront of a goal post. The logo was a terrible move and the reaction from the fan base was so negative that management announced it would change back to the original logo as soon as league rules allowed them. The traditional logo returned as part of 1996-97′s alternate jersey, and then became the main jersey the following year. I know i may be alone in this, but I personally thought the Gordon Fisherman Logo was pretty cool along with the color scheme.

Probably one of the most favorite and requested logos. Also one of the most recognizable logos. The San Jose Sharks logo is one of our best sellers. A few years ago with Ecapcity.com was first starting we began using the older San Jose Sharks logo at the time to push slowly in the NHL teams and just overall a different feel. Many years later and a team logo change the Sharks logos is still a fan favorite. I’m not sure if you remember but we were one of the first to post the new logo on a New Era Fitted a couple years back on the popular “Grape” colorway. The Sharks came about in the early 1990s when the NHL and Gund Brothers wanted to bring back the NHL to the bay area. The team name was supposed to be the “Blades” but due to fear that people would associate it with violence the team choose the 2nd place name of Sharks. I sometimes find it funny how a simple decision completely changes the outlook of a team. At this point and time we could be talking about the “San Jose Blades”, funny isn’t it?

Ecapcity.com will continue to release San Jose Shark New Era Fitteds. Recently we restocked on the Team Colors of it which always seems to sell out. Hopefully this summer we’ll have some more color ways available.

This week I bring you a little story on the Hartford Whalers, don’t ask me why but the team has a huge following considering the little success they had in the city of Hartford. The team was introduced in 1972  and were known as the New England Whalers while they played with the WHA (World Hockey Association).  The New England Whalers were in the WHA till the 1979 season when them and 3 other teams (Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets) join the NHL. The original Hartford Whalers logo (1979–1992) was designed by a Connecticut-based graphic designer. The logo combines a green “W” with a blue whale’s tail to create the letter “H” in the white space. This logo was updated in 1992, the most noticeable change being the darkening of the colors and the addition of a silver background along with small changes to the shape of the whale’s tail were also made.

When the moved was finalized the Boston Bruins insisted on one condition, that the New England Whalers drop “New England” from their name, Thus the Hartford Whalers were born. The team stood in Hartford till 1997, when the teams owner (Peter Karmanos) moved the team down to Raleigh, NC and became the Carolina Hurricanes.

Keep an eye out for more Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes New Era Caps from Ecapcity.com.

This week I introduce to you the Vancouver Grizzlies Logo. One of my all time favorites and a hugely popular logo. We used to get OD requests for this logo. Recently, the NBA and the Memphis Grizzlies decided to release the logo and allow it to be used.

Here’s some backstory on the team incase some of you readers don’t know.  They came into the league in 1995 along with the Toronto Raptors.  They were the Vancouver Grizzlies until the 2001 season when they moved to Memphis. From their first season in the league (1995) they used the same jerseys up until the move the Memphis in 2001. The only change was “Vancouver” to “ Memphis” while they kept the same colors and logos schemes. Then in 2004/2005 season they made the switch to the new jerseys and colors they’re currently using.

When we first received word that Grizzlies logo could in fact be used the first step was to figure out what the consumers would want. So we went with the Team Color way at first. We also made a color way to match the popular Air Jordan 11 “Spacejam” which sold out in about 2 days. We currently have 3 – 5 in production will we be released at later time. Also in working with New Era and the NBA we “reworked” one of their logos for use which should be arriving in a few Months. Here’s a small preview of a Vancouver Grizzlies New Era Fitted that *hopefully* arrive for the Air Max Neon 95 release in March.

Stay tuned for more Vancouver Grizzlies New Era Fitteds.

-Da New Era

This is the first article in a series of weekly ones I’m going to be writing. Basically what I’m going to do is just go in depth on logos and designs and the team themselves. Show the inspiration behind the designs and what goes on in the process.  Possibly, in the later articles give the readers a chance to have input on hats or vote accordingly. Also sneak peeks on products before they release, from the design phase all the way to production. This week is just gonna be this intro. Starting next week we’re going to go in-depth on a few of my favorite teams and their logos and popular logos, But as promised here’s a small sample of some hats that still haven’t release yet.

-Da New Era