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Fabric of the Game

The Stories Behind the NHL's Names, Logos, and Uniforms
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( 197 ratings, 35 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Fabric of the Game offers an in-depth exploration of the origins behind every NHL team's name, logo, and uniform design. Written by renowned experts Chris Creamer and Todd Radom, it reveals the fascinating stories and historical decisions shaping the National Hockey League's visual identity. Through interviews with key creators and archival research, readers discover why teams like the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings sport their iconic branding, and learn about both historic franchises such as the Quebec Nordiques and lesser-known teams like the Kansas City Scouts.
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Format: Hardback
$7100

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for dedicated hockey fans, sports historians, and enthusiasts interested in sports branding and design. It appeals to readers who appreciate detailed storytelling and the cultural significance behind NHL teams' identities.

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"An in-depth look into the origins of how each NHL team was named, received their logo and design, with interviews by those responsible. Written by those most knowledgeable, you'll learn why every hockey team to every play in the National Hockey League looks the way it does."--

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An in-depth look into the origins of how each NHL team was named, received their logo and design, with interviews by those responsible. Written by those most knowledgeable, you'll learn why every hockey team to ever play in the National Hockey League looks the way it does.

Nothing unites or divides a random assortment of strangers quite like the hockey team for which they cheer. The passion they hold within them for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Boston Bruins allows them to look past any differences which would have otherwise disrupted a perfectly fine Thanksgiving dinner and channels it into a powerful, shared admiration for their team.

We decorate our lives with their logos, stock our wardrobe with their jerseys, and, in some cases, even tattoo our bodies with their iconography and colours. They're so ingrained in our lives we don't even think to ask ourselves why Los Angeles celebrates royalty; why Buffalo cheers for not one, but two massive cavalry swords; or why the Broadway Blueshirts named themselves for a law enforcement agency in Texas (or why they even wear blue shirts, for that matter).

All that and more is explored in Fabric of the Game, authored by two of the sports world's leading experts in team branding and design: Chris Creamer and Todd Radom. Tapping into their vast knowledge of the whys and hows, Creamer and Radom explore and share the origin stories behind these and more, talking directly to those involved in the decision processes and designs of the National Hockey League's team names, logos, and uniforms, pouring through historical accounts to find and deliver the answers to these questions. Learn more about the historied Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, as well as the lost but not forgotten Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques, all the way to the lesser-known Kansas City Scouts and Philadelphia Quakers.

Whichever team you pledge allegiance, Fabric of the Game covers them in-depth with research and knowledge for any hockey fan to enjoy.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised for its extensive research and engaging storytelling, Fabric of the Game has been described by Paul Lukas of Uni Watch as a "sensational book" packed with archival quotes, colour photos, and fascinating logo sketches. Nick Faris of The Score calls it a comprehensive resource for NHL franchise histories, including current and defunct teams. Mike Harrington of Buffalo News highlights the inclusion of both historic and modern teams, noting the detailed coverage of the Seattle Kraken's unveiling. The book is recommended for those keen to deepen their knowledge of hockey team branding.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781683583844

Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 03 November 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Sports Publishing LLC

Illustration: full-color photographs and illustrations throughout

Contributors:

  • Foreword by Lanny McDonald

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 228.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 1122g

Pages: 280

About the Author

Chris Creamer is a writer, historian, and world-renowned expert on sports logos and uniforms based in the Toronto area. His passion for logos resulted in the creation of SportsLogos.Net, an ongoing 20+ year project dedicated to the history of team logos and uniforms. He has worked closely with the National Hockey League acting as a historical consultant for their centennial season celebration, written for NHL.com, the Buffalo News, and has been featured or quoted in several publications including The Hockey News, Washington Post, Toronto Star, and Sporting News.

Todd Radom is a graphic designer, sports branding expert, and writer. His work includes the official logos for Super Bowl XXXVIII, the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, the graphic identities of multiple Major League Baseball teams-including the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels-and league and team identity and branding for the BIG3 basketball league. He has provided commentary about sports logos and branding for ESPN, National Public Radio, and the New York Times. In addition, he has been profiled or quoted in numerous publications including the Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, and Sporting News. Radom is the author of Winning Ugly: A Visual History of Baseball's Most Unique Uniforms.

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