HIGHLIGHTS
- Utah’s new NHL team announces six finalists for its name through an online fan vote
- Among the six finalists are the “Utah Yeti” and “Utah Hockey Club” (Utah HC)
- The team will only feature “Utah” on its jerseys for the 2024-25 inaugural season
The newly minted NHL franchise in Utah is one step closer to establishing its identity.
On Thursday, the team announced the six finalists for its official name, as chosen by the fans in an online poll that garnered over 520,000 votes.
The Utah team name finalists are:
- Utah Blizzard
- Utah Hockey Club (Utah HC)
- Utah Mammoth
- Utah Outlaws
- Utah Venom
- Utah Yeti
The poll, which ran from May 8 to May 22, 2024, started with a list of 20 potential names. The six finalists accounted for a whopping 60% of the total vote, showcasing their popularity among the fanbase. The second round of voting is now open until June 20, giving fans another chance to have their say in shaping the team’s identity.
Ryan Smith, co-founder and chairman of Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), which owns the Utah franchise, expressed his excitement about the fan engagement in the naming process. “We’re thrilled to see the passion and enthusiasm from the fans in helping us choose a name that represents the spirit of Utah and the character of our team,” Smith said during a press conference.
While the team name is yet to be finalized, Smith confirmed that the jerseys will simply feature “Utah” for the inaugural 2024-25 season. This decision allows the franchise to establish a strong connection with the state from the get-go, while also giving SEG ample time to develop a comprehensive branding strategy.
Once the team name is selected, SEG will collaborate with branding company Doubleday & Cartwright to create a unique logo, color scheme, and mascot that will be unveiled for the 2025-26 season. “We want to take our time and get it right,” Smith explained. “The name, logo, and colors will be the face of our franchise for years to come, so we’re committed to creating a brand that our fans can be proud of.”
The Utah franchise was born out of the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes, which Smith’s group purchased for $1.2 billion. Alex Meruelo, the Coyotes former owner, retains the rights to the Yotes name and logo. He has the option to bring the team back to Arizona as an expansion franchise if he can secure a new arena in the Phoenix area within the next five years.
With the support of a passionate fanbase and the guidance of visionary ownership, the Utah NHL team is poised to make a lasting impact on the league and the sports landscape of the Beehive State.