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ICYMI: Salt Lake City is getting its own hockey team. It's not a new team, it's the Arizona Coyotes, which should and will be it's own blog eventually. All players, coaches, assets, and draft picks are heading to Utah, while the long-standing franchise is shuttering its doors. The Coyotes will be moved to an "inactive" status, with Arizona retaining the right to hit the ice with the franchise again under certain conditions.
Again, topic for a different day.
Ryan and Ashley Smith, co-founders of Smith Entertainment Group, bought the Arizona Coyotes earlier this month and moved the team to Salt Lake City. The name sounds familiar because he is the co-founder of Qualtrics, and the owner of the Utah Jazz, Real Salt Lake, and Utah Royals. He also manages under his umbrella the Salt Lake City Bee's. You can say his is committed to the state, and loves to grow the sports in Salt Lake City.
This week, there were eight trademark applications that were reportedly filed for potential Utah NHL team names, and here is my power rankings of them.
No. 8 - Utah Ice's
Booooorinngggg. We get it, Utah can be cold and hockey is played on Ice. This would be a massive flop on something that has so much potential.
No. 7 - Utah Venom
Reminded me of the desert. RIP the desert.
No. 6 - Utah Fury
Kind of a bland name. If they incorporate fire into this, it's too similar to the Flames. This one didn't jump off the page for me.
No. 5 - Utah Blizzard's
Too similar to Avalanche.
No. 4 - Utah Hockey Club
As I am becoming more of a soccer fan, I don't hate the club-name idea, but there is no brand identity, and the new team needs it. We can't also witness another Washington Football Team scenario, because they got roasted on social media.
No. 3 - Utah Outlaw's
It's kind of fitting with their former identity, and now they are coming in with a target on their back and something to prove.
No. 2 - Utah Mammoth's
I debated putting them at one, because I think the theatrics and cinema they can create with the prehistoric mammal would be sick. A mammoth mascot is also badass.
No. 1 - Utah Yeti's
The Kraken are already a mythical creature that got a solid fan base in the pacific northwest, could this be a potential rivalry in the making? Yeti would also be a sick logo, and even cooler sweater. Ryan Smith is also a business man, and he could make a massive partnership with Yeti Coolers and Drinkware. It's also just a badass team name.
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