The NHL's newest franchise, which had it's assets transfered from the inactive Arizona Coyotes, have announced six chosen names for the team, the options narrowed down from a list of choices presented by team owner Ryan Smith.
The Utah HC is expected to play under the current name for the 2024-25 NHL season, with plans for the new name to be activated for 2025-26.
The team announced the final six team names, the top vote getters among a variety of options. The teams chosen for the vote include the following:
- Utah Hockey Club (Utah HC)- Utah Yeti- Utah Blizzard- Utah Mammoth- Utah Outlaws- Utah Venom
Voting can be done here with additional information on the process.
Utah HC will be the third of the major five sports in the beehive state after the NBA's 'Utah Jazz' and the MLS 'Real Salt Lake', both owned by Smith, as well as owner of the recently revived women's soccer franchise, the Utah Royals. Utah currently has a pro Hockey franchise in the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies, an affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. Utah also has a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.
Arizona, currently an inactive franchise, had it's assets such as staff sent to Utah, although the Coyotes keep their franchise records, making Utah a new franchise in the eyes of the league. The Coyotes have until 2029 to secure funding for an arena or the team will be folded. Utah will be in the Delta Center alongside the Jazz.
POLL | ||
6 JUIN | 478 ANSWERS NHL Utah Hockey Club officially announces six name finalists Do you like the names chosen for the Utah Hockey Club? (Utah HC, Utah Yeti, Utah Mammoth, Utah Blizzard, Utah Outlaws, Utah Venom) | ||
Yes | 81 | 16.9 % |
No | 149 | 31.2 % |
Some, but not all | 248 | 51.9 % |
List of polls |