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Recently a channel on YouTube called IceWyre featured our rinks in a Center Ice Ranking video. Take a look and see what you think of his rankings! Also check out his other videos on his channel here: IceWyre - YouTube

There was always a specific moment when the regular season felt officially over. It wasn’t just the jerseys off the player's backs or the increased intensity; it was the visual transformation of the rink itself. For decades, seeing the Stanley Cup Playoff logos painted into the ice just beyond the blue lines was the ultimate signal that the quest for Lord Stanley’s trophy had begun. Today, if you look at that same patch of ice through your TV screen, you’re more likely to see an ad for a sportsbook or a car insurance provider. The physical logos are gone, replaced by a digital frontier that has fundamentally changed the aesthetics of the postseason. A Tale of Two Eras: The Logo Traditions The history of playoff branding on the ice is a story of two distinct eras. The Neutral Zone Era (1989–2007):   For nearly 20 years, the NHL painted two Stanley Cup logos in the neutral zone, but only for the teams that reached the Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final. It was a badge of honor—a visual reward for making it to the final four. The Blue Line Era (2008–2020):   Starting in the 2008 Playoffs, the league expanded the tradition. Every team that made it to the post-season had the "Stanley Cup Playoffs" fabric logos installed into the ice just outside the blue lines. This era became the visual gold standard for fans, lasting through the 2020 "bubble" playoffs in Toronto and Edmonton. The Great Ad Swap While the logos were the most visible change, another shift happens in the corners. During the regular season, the ice in the corners usually feature local sponsors—the hometown pizza shop or a regional law firm. However, once the playoffs hit, the league takes over. These prime "high-impact" corners are swapped out for league-wide sponsors. Because the camera spends so much time following the puck into the corners during puck battles, these spots are some of the most expensive real estate in sports. The Rise of Digital Advertising So, why did the logos disappear after 2020? The answer lies in virtual on-ice overlays. The NHL realized that the white space just beyond the blue lines—exactly where the playoff logos used to sit—was the perfect "canvas" for virtual ads. By keeping the physical ice clean, the league can superimpose high-value, rotating digital ads for the television audience. For the league, it’s a massive revenue win. For the fans in the arena, it’s a bit of lost magic. The ice no longer "feels" like the playoffs because the broadcast technology treats the playing surface as a dynamic billboard. How to Bring the Magic Back The good news? We don't have to choose between revenue and tradition. There is still plenty of "dead air" on a sheet of ice where digital ads don't usually live. The NHL could easily restore the playoff atmosphere by getting creative with placement: The "Mirror" Placement:  Move the playoff logos up or down to align with the existing ads just on the other side of the blue lines. Behind the Nets:  The trapezoid and the area directly behind the goal line are often underutilized. Placing a "Finals" logo there would be visible during every wrap-around attempt and goal celebration. Just Outside the Center Circle: Just two small unassuming Stanley Cup logos to each side of the center circle would be better than nothing and would stay out of the way of advertising. Some arena's might need to adjust this however to accommodating their existing arena logos if they stick out too far from the circle. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are about history and prestige. While the digital age is here to stay, bringing back those iconic on-ice markers would go a long way in making the "Quest for the Cup" feel like the special event it is.

Check out Brodie Brazil's Top 5 NHL center ice designs, and his thoughts on some of our concept designs. Check out more videos on his channel here: Brodie Brazil - YouTube Note: The Red Wings ice in his video is missing the Hockeytown text. This was not his fault. There was a glitch on our site for a brief time where the logo was not showing up on the downloadable link. He pulled graphics during this brief time. I apologize for the error on our site.

The 15th-anniversary celebrations at TheFaceoff.net are in full swing! While we kicked things off last week with a few surprises, today marks a significant milestone in our journey. We aren’t just looking back at where we’ve been; we’re sharpening our edges for where we’re going. Today, we are thrilled to unveil a refreshed brand identity that brings us back to basics. After five years with our previous logo, the time felt right to simplify. In the fast-paced world of sports design, it’s easy to get lost in the "new," but we wanted to stay grounded in what we do best: delivering the most accurate center ice graphics in the game. I didn't want to reinvent the wheel. Instead, I wanted a visual identity that felt like home for long-time followers while providing a clean, modern strike for the years ahead. Merging the Past with the Present The new logo is a tribute to our history. It thoughtfully incorporates elements from our previous three logos, bridging the gap between our humble beginnings and our current status as a premier rink archive. The new design features two core pillars: The Faceoff Dot:  A complete, symmetrical faceoff dot serves as our foundation—the heart of the rink and our namesake. A strong, distinctive "F" that represents our site. Long-time fans might notice a familiar "vibe." The new look intentionally echoes the classic aesthetic of our earlier days when we were known as Frozen Faceoff. It’s a nod to our heritage, refined for a new era. The Road Ahead: Precision and Expansion A new look is only as good as the work behind it. As we move into this refreshed era, our mission remains focused on the details. What’s coming next? Deepening the Archives: We are committed to building out our rink database to include more historical seasons for lower-level leagues—the unsung heroes of hockey history. Unrivaled Accuracy: We are constantly auditing and enhancing our existing rinks to ensure every line, logo, and sponsor placement is pixel-perfect. Thank you for being part of the first 15 years of TheFaceoff.net. We’ve got a lot more ice to cover, and we’re glad to have you on the wing. Check out the new look across the site and stay tuned—we aren't done with the anniversary surprises just yet!

Welcome to the first entry in our special anniversary celebration series! If you’ve watched a game recently, you know the drill. Most arenas feature one massive primary logo, stretched across the circle, bisected by the center red line. While this "Big Logo" era looks great on a 4K TV broadcast, many purists argue that something has been lost in the transition. For decades, the standard was the dual logo layout. Two identical team crests sat mirrored on either side of the red line, untouched by the paint of the center stripe. It was a look that respected the integrity of the logo and ensured that fans on both sides of the arena had an upright view of the team’s identity. Today, the Philadelphia Flyers stand alone as the only team in the NHL keeping this tradition alive. For everyone else, the red line cuts right through the heart of the brand. In this feature, I’ve decided to play "Ice Crew" and reimagine what today’s NHL would look like if the dual logo layout made a league-wide comeback. I’ve taken the current branding for teams that have long since moved to the single-logo format and applied the classic "Flyers-style" spacing. Why does this look work? No Interference:  The team crest remains "whole" and unblemished. Visual Balance:  It creates a symmetrical aesthetic that feels more like a classic sporting cathedral and less like a billboard. Nostalgia Factor:  It immediately evokes the 1980s and 90s, the golden era of center ice design. So here they are all the current NHL teams with the dual logo layout. The Flyers are not included because they already have the dual layout. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Welcome back to our 15th Anniversary celebration! In our last entry, we took a trip down memory lane by restoring the classic dual-logo layout to the modern NHL. As part of our decade-and-a-half milestone, we wanted to go beyond just reimagining current teams. We wanted to pay tribute to the franchises that helped build the visual history of the league, even if they no longer take the ice today. Here are a handful of old teams brought back to modern day rinks. What teams would you like to see return to the NHL, either in their previous city or in a new one?

Fifteen years ago this April, this project didn't start with a grand ambition to catalog the history of hockey rinks. It didn't even start with a deep knowledge of surface designs. Honestly, back then, I assumed every team used the same generic checkered or diamond red line patterns. It all began simply with a passion for the St. Louis Blues and graphic design. In late 2010, I just wanted a desktop wallpaper for my computer that matched my home team's playing surface. By today's standards, that first 1280x720 pixel graphic was pretty amateur—just a sliver of the faceoff circles and a generic bold font for the arena wordmark. But a friend noticed it, asked for a Detroit Red Wings version, and soon I was sharing a handful of designs on Facebook. That led to requests for Philadelphia and Anaheim, and eventually, I sat down and created a graphic for all 30 pro teams. I hastily uploaded them to a simple Blogspot page. I figured that was the end of the adventure. The 30 teams were done, they were out there for anyone to use, and it was time to move on to other things. Then the new season rolled around. People started reaching out on message boards asking for updated graphics. I was confused—there were no new teams or major rebrands that I knew of. That was the exact moment I learned that red line patterns and neutral zone layouts actually change from year to year. I realized how much detail I had missed, like the fact that one team's diamond red line is completely different from another team's version. That realization turned a one-and-done project into an ongoing challenge. Over the years, the site evolved drastically. For our 10th anniversary, we finally moved off that heavily modified Blogger template onto a brand-new web platform, refocusing all our energy on what we do best: accurate, authentic rink designs. Now, as we celebrate 15 years, the scope of TheFaceoff.net has grown far beyond those original 30 desktop wallpapers. We meticulously archive the visual history of the NHL, along with the AHL, CHL, ECHL, and other leagues across the continent. Over the next couple months, we have several surprises in store and look forward to continuing to enhance the North American Rink Archive. Be sure to watch our homepage for updates, along with our social media accounts which you will find in the navigation bar on our site. Thank you to everyone who has visited, requested updates, and pointed out the intricate details over the last decade and a half. Here is to preserving the hockey canvas for many more years to come!

The 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot park in Miami isn't just a game; it’s a masterclass in visual storytelling. As the Florida Panthers prepare to host the New York Rangers in the southernmost outdoor game in NHL history, the league has pulled out all the stops to blend hockey’s frozen roots with the vibrant energy of South Florida. Here’s a look at the intricate details hidden beneath the ice and around the field. The ice itself is a canvas for the "Snowy Winter Meets Sunny Florida" theme. One of the most striking details is the faceoff dots, which feature crisp, white snowflakes. Perhaps the most subtle custom touch is found within the blue lines. Instead of a solid block of color, the league has embedded the official "2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic" wordmark directly into the blue line. Photos by @Mandoman12 The area surrounding the rink is where the theme truly comes to life. The NHL crew has split the baseball field into two distinct worlds: The sunny Florida side is adorned with palm trees and sand while the cold New York side shifts to a winter wonderland. White cotton sheets mimic deep snowdrifts to bring that cold northeast vibe to the field. What do you think of the new design? Do you think the subtle blue line design is too subtle? Let us know in the comments below. Click here to view the full rink layout.

For hockey fans, it is the most exciting time of the year. The ices are in and the puck has dropped on a new season. Let's dive into the changes each team has made to their center ice design compared to last season. We’ll assess whether the changes are a hit or a miss, giving them either a thumbs up or thumbs down. Anaheim Ducks: Last season, the Ducks kept things simple with a classic checkered center line—letting their bold new ice logo take the spotlight. This year, they’re dialing up the personality with a subtle tribute to their mascot, Wild Wing. His signature logo now appears along the center line, cleverly echoing the stick design from the team’s primary crest. It’s a smart blend of tradition and flair: the checkered look remains intact, but now with a distinct Ducks twist. This upgrade earns a solid UP from me. The Boston Bruins have officially embraced the logo from their 2023–24 Centennial Season, a fan favorite that’s now become their full-time identity. It’s a strong move on the branding front, and the jerseys look fantastic. But when it comes to the ice, there’s a subtle shift worth noting: instead of the home jersey logo designed for black backgrounds, they’ve opted for the away version, better suited to white ice. While that choice makes technical sense, something about the overall presentation feels like a step back compared to last year’s mark. The brand itself is a win, but the ice execution leaves me wanting more. For now, I’m giving this one a DOWN , but this look could grow on me down the road. The Calgary Flames  have inverted their colors at center ice, opting for a white logo on a bold red background. What makes this design work is the subtle smoke/flame effect woven into the red. I've tried this color-inversion concept for other teams without success, but the Flames have absolutely nailed it. This gets a big UP  from me! The Chicago Blackhawks  are celebrating their centennial season by featuring their anniversary logo at center ice. While it's a classy commemorative design, I think they missed an opportunity. Opting for a hollow center line within the anniversary logo would have been better, as the current design obscures too much of their primary crest. Still, for a seasonal tribute, I give it an UP . For their 30th anniversary, the Colorado Avalanche have unveiled a center ice logo that is, frankly, disappointing. While the overall design attempts to be commemorative, its heavy reliance on the overlapping "XXX" is a critical oversight. The meaning associated with those letters is unmistakable and detracts completely from the celebration. The failure to catch this in the design approval stage is baffling. It's a quick DOWN . The Columbus Blue Jackets  are marking their 25th season with a new anniversary logo at center ice. The logo attempts to feature the outline of the state of Ohio, which should be its main draw. Unfortunately, the way the state is cropped in the design makes it lose its familiar shape and impact. Since that geographic element is the primary selling point, its failure earns this ice a DOWN . The Dallas Stars  made a subtle but effective change to their center ice this season. They switched to a hollow center line, which successfully allows more of their alternate "Texas" logo to show through. Although the previous design was perfectly fine, this cleaner look is a definite improvement. It earns an UP . The Detroit Red Wings ' 100th-anniversary logo at center ice is a success, even if I have one minor gripe: covering the classic Winged Wheel with "Hockeytown" in that font feels a bit jarring. That said, the Red Wings did the right thing by giving fans what they wanted, as supporters strongly voted to revive the look. The final result looks great, and the "D" logos subtly lining the center stripe elevate the entire presentation. A big UP  for the team's centennial ice. To commemorate their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, the Florida Panthers have revived their championship center ice. The layout is identical to last season's impressive design, but they made one key adjustment: changing the color used for the Cup details. That minor alteration somehow works even better than the original. Since they took a great look and slightly improved it, it gets an UP . The Los Angeles Kings  are attempting a nostalgic throwback by placing their secondary crown logo at center ice, reminiscent of the old Great Western Forum layout. I appreciate the historical nod, but the execution is too busy. The combination of the secondary logo, the surrounding text, and the large, required Crypto.com Arena text creates a cluttered and overwhelming appearance. They missed the mark on capturing the intended simplicity of that classic look. This attempt falls short, earning a DOWN . The Minnesota Wild 's 25th-anniversary logo is absolutely stunning at center ice. It's a fantastic design. My one significant complaint is the placement of the arena wordmark, which awkwardly throws the entire center ice layout off balance—a design choice I strongly dislike when teams employ it. However, the logo itself is so great that I'll overlook the text issue for now. This gets an UP , but they really need to fix that text placement in the future. The Montreal Canadiens  delivered a genuine surprise by debuting this fancy new center ice design—a marked departure for a team that stuck with the old dual-logo layout until the 2017-18 season. The new look is a classy logo that subtly celebrates their history of Stanley Cup victories through features that resemble the inside of the Cup itself. While the timing is a bit odd given their long championship drought, the design is excellent and earns an UP . I do hope, however, that the team revisits the classic dual-logo layout again sometime in the near future. The Nashville Predators  dropped a surprise with their incredibly creative center ice design this season. It's a fantastic embrace of their colors and their famous nickname, "Smashville." The detail I love most is the incorporation of guitar strings running across the center line—it's brilliant and perfectly on brand. This look is a huge success. An UP  for Smashville! For their centennial season, the New York Rangers  introduced a slightly tweaked center ice, replacing their primary crest with a commemorative 100th-anniversary logo. They also made minor adjustments to the font and circle trim. While the overall look is acceptable, I genuinely prefer their previous layout. The one notable improvement is the center line, where the small Rangers logo outlines have been moved closer together. Unfortunately, the overall change isn't an upgrade. This one gets a DOWN . The Ottawa Senators  have brought back their full circle, cropped logo for center ice this season. While they improved the design by opting for a hollow center line, which is a nice touch, reviving this overall look wasn't the move I was hoping for. I felt last season's attempt at creativity missed the mark, and simply improving the center line isn't enough to make this layout work for me. It's still a DOWN . The Philadelphia Flyers'  center ice layout remains traditional, with the only change being the new arena name. Crucially, the text for the new name is significantly smaller than the old arena text. This reduction in size provides a much cleaner, less cluttered look that truly benefits this classic layout. For fans of traditional ice designs, this is a definite UP . I love that the San Jose Sharks are unafraid to experiment with their center ice each season. For their 35th anniversary, they introduced a new design that accompanies a special jersey. However, the commemorative mark itself is confusing. If you don't know the anniversary already, the only way to get the number "35" is by subtly counting the design elements around the logo—a concept that's too subtle for a celebration. Their design peaked in 2023-24, and this new look marks a continued slide. This is a DOWN . The Seattle Kraken  surprised everyone by bringing the design for their new glow-in-the-dark jerseys to center ice. Contrary to what might be expected, the logo looks genuinely cool on the ice. They also made a smart technical improvement by using a hollow center line this season, which allows the Kraken's eye to remain visible. This unexpected success definitely deserves an UP . The St. Louis Blues'  new logo and colors look fantastic at center ice. The subtle change of replacing the Blue Note with the Fleur-de-lis within the center line is a brilliant touch. However, the center ice suffers from a major imbalance issue—something I've noted before. The Blue Note logo doesn't naturally fill the circular space well, and the team continues to place the arena text awkwardly at the top and bottom, straddling the center line instead of using the text to balance the overall composition. For the strength of the new logo alone, this gets an UP , but the layout definitely needs a creative overhaul next season. The Tampa Bay Lightning  updated their center ice this season due to a new arena name. I expected to prefer the new look over the old Amalie Arena text, but surprisingly, I don't. It's not a step backward, but it's not an improvement either. The change is simply a neutral one —just different. Therefore, I can't give it an UP or a DOWN. The new Utah Mammoth  center ice is truly a sight for sore eyes! After a season of generic "UTAH" branding, the arrival of their actual logo is a huge relief, and it’s a quite nice one at that. They smartly kept the distinctive state of Utah shapes in the center line. This is a great, strong look to introduce the new franchise branding. Knowing their staff includes the former Vegas center ice designer, I'm optimistic for more creative designs in the future. This ice is definitely an UP —or should I say, TUSKS UP ! The Vancouver Canucks  showed creativity with their center ice last season, but the partial roundel circle behind the logo made the design feel slightly off. I appreciate that they recognized this; they kept the elements that worked and removed the background circle this year. That simple adjustment makes the ice look much cleaner and better organized. This revised look is a definite UP . The Vegas Golden Knights  have once again decked out their ice in all gold. While this specific design might not have the same "pop" as some of their previous concepts, it remains uniquely theirs. I appreciate that they consistently keep us guessing with a different look every season. For the continued commitment to originality, this one gets an UP . (Shaking my head) The Washington Capitals have once again missed a huge opportunity at center ice. They could be showcasing their awesome eagle secondary logo, but instead, they rely on the ill-suited primary wordmark. This choice results in the center line dissecting key letters—the "T" and the "i." Adding insult to injury, they removed the stars in the red line, which was the sole design element that previously worked. This is a significant downgrade and a giant DOWN . When will the Caps finally get a good-looking ice? The Winnipeg Jets  are marking their 15th anniversary with a new center ice logo, but the execution is severely flawed. At a quick glance, the number actually reads closer to "16" due to the way the solid red center line cuts across it. Furthermore, that same line needlessly covers a significant portion of the primary logo. It is baffling that they didn't use a hollow center line to allow these commemorative elements to be more visible. The Jets' normal layout is excellent, making this poorly executed anniversary look a clear DOWN . That is our look at all of the center ice changes in the NHL this season. I feel like I was more critical of the designs this year than in previous seasons. I do appreciate teams getting creative but there were some questionable calls this year. What do you think of my reflection on the changes. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. You can also see all of these ices in multiple graphic formats in the NHL Center Ice Archive .

The Tampa Bay Lightning will have a new name for their home arena. Benchmark International Arena. This rebranding marks the end of a decade-long partnership with Amalie Motor Oil and ushers in a fresh identity for one of the NHL’s most iconic venues. Benchmark International, a global mergers and acquisitions firm headquartered in Tampa, brings not only its name but also a commitment to community investment. The partnership includes over $3 million in nonprofit contributions aimed at supporting health, education, and hunger initiatives in the region. Since its opening in 1996, the arena has undergone several name changes, each reflecting a different era in Tampa Bay sports history: Year Arena Name Notes 1996–2002 Ice Palace Original name upon opening 2002–2012 St. Pete Times Forum Named after the local newspaper 2012–2014 Tampa Bay Times Forum Reflecting the paper’s rebranding 2014–2025 Amalie Arena Named after Amalie Oil Company 2025– Benchmark International Arena Current name, honoring a Tampa-based M&A firm Before settling into their downtown home, the Lightning played in a series of temporary venues: Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds (1992–1993)   A modest 11,000-seat venue where the Lightning stunned the Chicago Blackhawks in their first regular-season game. Florida Suncoast Dome / Thunderdome (1993–1996)   Located in St. Petersburg, this baseball-designed stadium was reconfigured for hockey. It’s now known as Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. These early years were marked by scrappy determination and a growing fan base, laying the groundwork for the franchise’s eventual success—including three Stanley Cup championships. The Benchmark International Arena will undergo a phased rebranding, including: New exterior and interior signage Digital integrations Renaming of the premium club level to the Benchmark International Club Level, featuring “The Mark” as its signature all-inclusive experience. Finally, lets take a look at what the center ice layout could look like with the new branding. This is just our guess. We have not seen any official layouts at this time.

The Detroit Red Wings are gearing up for their 100th NHL season in 2025–26 with a nostalgic and fan-driven twist. Following a public vote, the team announced that the “Hey Hey Hockeytown” logo will be featured at center ice in Little Caesars Arena. This design pays tribute to the franchise’s rich history, combining a redrawn version of the classic 1934 Winged Wheel, a modernized “100” emblem to mark the centennial, and the iconic “Hockeytown” wordmark first introduced in 1996. The fan vote, held in partnership with Meijer, saw an enthusiastic response, with over 20,000 votes cast in the first 72 hours. “Hey Hey Hockeytown” emerged as the clear favorite, reflecting the community’s deep connection to the team’s legacy. Asia Gholston, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, noted that the overwhelming participation shows fans are excited to celebrate 100 years of Red Wings hockey. The new logo will debut this fall as part of the Centennial season, which also includes single-game ticket sales and a lineup of commemorative events. While it’s not yet confirmed whether the “Hockeytown” wordmark will remain beyond this season, its return to center ice serves as a powerful symbol of Detroit’s enduring hockey pride. You can view the full rink graphics here .

A few years ago, the NHL stopped putting playoff logos on ice. Fans want them and while we can't make that happen, we can do the next best thing: As each NHL  team secures a spot in the Stanley Cup  playoffs, we will be posting HD ice graphics that include our concept for what the new playoff branding could look like on ice if the NHL were to listen to the fans again. Here are all 16 teams that are in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Download 3D View | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View Download 3D View   | Download Overhead View

After 25 years of calling it "The X," Minnesota Wild fans will walk into a newly christened arena this fall: Grand Casino Arena. The name change marks the end of Xcel Energy’s quarter-century naming rights deal and the beginning of a 14-year partnership between Minnesota Sports and Entertainment and Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley, enterprises of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. While fans may struggle to stop calling it “The X,” the Wild and Grand Casino are promising a seamless — and exciting — transition. The name change also comes at a pivotal time. The Wild and the City of St. Paul are pushing for a nearly half-billion-dollar renovation of the arena to modernize the building and enhance fan experience. That effort, paired with the new name, could usher in a fresh new identity for one of the NHL’s most beloved homes. So, what does all of this mean for the ice itself? Come October, Wild fans may look down during the national anthem and see "Grand Casino Arena" gleaming at center ice — a bold new logo painted over the frozen stage where legends skate. We may also see the 25'th Anniversary logo of the Minnesota Wild at center ice. Here is our concept of what the ice might look like.

The Utah Mammoth has officially stomped onto the NHL scene, marking a bold new chapter for professional hockey in the state. After a 13-month process involving four rounds of fan voting and over 850,000 votes, the franchise unveiled its permanent identity. The name pays homage to the mammoths that roamed Utah during the last Ice Age, symbolizing strength, resilience, and an unstoppable force on the ice. The Mountain Mammoth logo is a striking representation of Utah’s landscape and heritage. It features the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains, the outline of the state embedded in the peaks, and curved tusks forming a bold “U”. The team’s colors—Rock Black, Mountain Blue, and Salt White—remain consistent with the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season. As the home of the center ice archive, it’s only fitting that we look ahead to what Utah’s center ice might become. Our concept rink design keeps it simple, featuring only the primary logo at center ice. However, given the talent behind Utah’s graphics team—including a designer from Vegas who played a key role in crafting some truly unique and visually stunning ice layouts—we wouldn’t be surprised to see something more inventive for Utah. The possibilities are wide open, and if history is any indicator, we could be in for something bold, creative, and unmistakably Mammoth. What do you think of the new branding? What name would you have liked to see the team go with. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Comcast Spectacor and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) have announced that home to the Flyers, 76ers, and top-tier global events—will be renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and will remain through the 2030-2031 season. The venue itself is no stranger to change. Following a multi-year, $400 million renovation, the arena has been redesigned from top to bottom, reaffirming its status as a world-class venue for sports and entertainment. The partnership between Comcast and HBSE signals a commitment to innovation, improving fan experiences, and keeping the arena at the cutting edge of technology. The arena currently known as Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia has undergone several name changes since its opening in 1996. Initially, it was called CoreStates Center (1996–1998), then became First Union Center (1998–2003), followed by Wachovia Center (2003–2010). In 2010, it was renamed Wells Fargo Center after Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia. Now, as part of a new partnership, the arena will be renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena, effective September 1, 2025, with the name set to remain through the 2030-2031 season. This will run through the end of the arena's life as a new arena is expected to replace it at that time. With the arena’s new name set, it’s clear that center ice is in for a refresh next season. Fans remain strongly in favor of the dual Flyers logo, and the tradition of the triple red stripe for the center line will likely return as well. That leaves just one big question—how will the new arena name be incorporated into the design? Here is a concept which seems most likely. We will be keeping an eye out for any clues that might suggest what direction they will be taking for the ice layout, but we will know for sure in September.

In recent seasons, the NCAA's Men's Regional Championship games featured a simplistic and somewhat non-descriptive center-ice logo. However, this year they've introduced a fresh design that integrates familiar elements with new, dynamic features. The updated logo retains the skater from previous iterations but now includes a graphic interpretation of the Regional Championship trophy. Additionally, the year of the tournament is prominently displayed, creating a clear time marker for highlights and replays—a detail that could enhance historical context for future audiences. The customized center circle continues to incorporate the arena name at the top and the city/state at the bottom. However, spacing and alignment issues sometimes arise, especially as they attempt to balance the text across the red line. Despite these occasional imbalances, the personalized design helps ground the event in its specific location and adds to its identity. This revised approach feels like a step forward, adding both aesthetic appeal and functional clarity to the branding. What do you think of this evolution? Does it strike the right balance between tradition and innovation? Here are the four center ice layouts used in the 2025 Men's Regional Championship. Be sure to check out the NCAA center ice archive to view the full rink designs.