Hello,

 

I wanted to share some thoughts regarding the new jerseys you are working on for the PeeWees and Bantams this year. 

 

First, I would suggest that the kids be more involved in the design of the jerseys. I'm not suggesting that they have not been up to this point: I am sure that many voted if they attended registration, and you probably shared the logo designs with some of the kids as they were being developed.

 

I think an organized cross section of kids from different levels (PeeWees, Bantams; with kids who have played A's, B-1s andB-2s) could provide great input to this, and would help come up with jerseys the kids take pride in. I make this suggestion based on the experience the Bantam B-1s had last year. They had a third jersey made that was based on a design the kids came up with. These were great jerseys, and from everything I have heard from the kids, they loved them. In fact, there are some teams this year that are using a similar design and format. Great opportunity to build on that and give all the kids this experience.  

 

Second, I understand that East End Hockey is the name of this organization, but it seems like we are trying to create another identity by putting it on the jersey. Maybe I am missing something here, but there is already a great tradition and legacy that exists: Duluth East. That's what we are really known as around this area, and across Minnesota. People don't know who or what "East End" is.

 

The kids take pride in putting on that Duluth East jersey. I know for my own son, getting to PeeWees and putting on that jersey with Duluth East on the front was a great part of his youth hockey experience. It takes a lot of time and effort to develop the tradition and pride that exists in our program. I would encourage you to celebrate this legacy and build on it. If the name creates some kind of a problem, then why not use the dog with the stick and no name? That's a great logo, the kids like it, and people associate it with East Hockey. It seems as though we are inventing something that doesn't need to be invented.

 

I applaud the initiative and your efforts to deliver new jerseys for the program. It is not an easy task and it is important to the kids. I know the process has started, but I would ask you to consider what you have at this point. These jerseys will be around for a long time, and I just want to encourage you take the steps necessary to make sure the kids and the program are satisfied with the result.

 

Thank you.

 

Mike Armstrong