The NHL’s team in Utah, owned by Ryan Smith, has given fans 20 choices to vote on for the franchise’s new name. Smith stated that the team’s name will start with Utah and the inaugural season will feature jerseys with the state’s name on them. The final name, logo, and colors will debut for the 2025-26 season after work by branding company Doubleday & Cartwright. Smith emphasized that the team is a community asset and fans should have a say in the naming process.
The options provided for the new team name include Frost, Ice, Powder, Mountaineers, Freeze, Mammoth, Black Diamonds, Blast, Caribou, Blizzard, Swarm, Hive, Outlaws, Yeti, Squall, Fury, Glaciers, Canyons, and Venom. There is also an option for the name to be followed by “HC,” which stands for Hockey Club. Smith’s group, Smith Entertainment Group, bought the Arizona Coyotes for $1.2 billion and relocated the team to Salt Lake City. Utah will play at the Delta Center, the home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, and has the sixth pick in the upcoming NHL draft.
The ownership of the NHL team in Utah is involving fans in the naming process to ensure that the community has a say in the team they will be cheering for. This move reflects the support and enthusiasm that fans have shown for the new franchise since it was awarded less than three weeks ago. The opportunity for fans to help name the team is seen as a unique and positive way to engage with the community and build excitement for the upcoming season.
The decision to start the team name with “Utah” and feature the state’s name on the jerseys for the inaugural season highlights the pride and connection to the local community that the ownership group is fostering. By involving fans in the naming process and providing a wide range of options to choose from, the team is further engaging with its fan base and building anticipation for its debut season. The collaboration with branding company Doubleday & Cartwright ensures that the final name, logo, and colors will be well thought out and representative of the team’s identity.
Utah’s NHL team, set to debut in the 2025-26 season, will bring professional hockey to the state and create a new opportunity for fans to support a local sports team. The relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City represents a significant investment by Smith Entertainment Group and signals a commitment to growing the sport of hockey in Utah. With the team set to play at the Delta Center and the community actively involved in the naming process, anticipation is high for the team’s first season and the opportunity for fans to cheer on their new local team.
