Utah Hockey Club Engages Fans in Nickname and Logo Selection

The Utah Hockey Club has taken a significant step towards shaping their team’s identity by narrowing the options for the new permanent nickname to three. They’re inviting passionate fans to cast their votes for the winning name and logo, giving a voice to their community.

The Three Finalists

In a move that ensures fan connectivity to the team, Utah Hockey Club has set the following three finalists: Utah Hockey Club, Utah Mammoth, and Utah Wasatch. The selection process has been meticulous, starting with a call for suggestions, narrowing down the top 20 names, and then the top six, before reaching these three contenders.

Fan Voting Process and Details

Starting against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, fans at Utah’s next four home games will get the opportunity to take part in this unique fan voting experience. Voting will be done on iPad stations located throughout Delta Center. Fans attending home games against the Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and Philadelphia Flyers will also have a chance to cast their ballot.

Michael Maughan, an executive from Smith Entertainment Group, mentioned the decision to conduct voting in-arena was to protect the design of the logos. Fans will have the option to select from both names and potential logos, which will take into consideration all possible appearances on jerseys and on-ice displays.

A Unique Approach to Naming a Team

This initiative marks a historic move in professional sports, as the Smith family co-owners, Ryan and Ashley Smith, see their hockey team not merely as a professional entity, but as a community asset. The process of naming the team will thus not be solely in the hands of management but will reflect the sentiments and preferences of its local fanbase.

Maughan elaborated on the Smiths’ vision: “They see this as a really exciting opportunity to involve fans to this level and go with them through this entire process as we seek to name a team together. That’s what we’re very excited about.”

The fan survey is run using methodology provided by Qualtrics, a company that Ryan Smith co-founded. This process was previously successful in selecting the “Mountain Basketball” uniforms the Utah Jazz NBA team wears.

Why Wasatch and Mammoth?

Among the three contenders, Utah Wasatch is a new submission replacing Yeti. Utah decided to move away from Yeti because the company holding the trademark rights to the name had issues with its use in merchandise.

Instead, Wasatch honors the distinctive Wasatch Mountains that stretch from the Utah-Idaho border to central Utah and are home to 85% of Utah residents. The logo for the Hockey Club and Wasatch names features a depiction of a mythical snow creature, a symbol fitting the region and the team’s sport.

The Utah Mammoth name is linked to a logo featuring an illustration of a mammoth, both designs being fierce and apt for an NHL hockey team.

Next Steps and Timeline

The voting concludes after the home game on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Estimates put the number of viewers at around 15,000 fans for each game who will participate in this fan-voting exercise.

Following this initial fan voting, there might be another stage to finalize the winning name and logo, though it will still be guided by the community’s preferences. Maughan confirms that the Smiths are committed to having the final say rest with the fans.

The results for the winning name and logo will be announced after the end of this season and before the start of next season.

Engage and Support

Utah Hockey Club’s initiative represents an exciting chapter where fans play a crucial role in shaping the team’s identity. It symbolizes the club’s dedication to being a part of the community while also showcasing their commitment to amateur interests.

This is not merely a game; it’s an expression of pride for Utah and a collective effort to create a memorable hockey tradition.

Join Utah Hockey Club as voters and supporters and be part of their journey – a journey where every fan has a voice.

Help us spread the word thatUtah Hockey Club is counting on you for name and logo selection. Comment below your choice or share this article on social media. Together we can shape the team’s future!