Week 4: Team Name Nominations
Saturday · May 4 · 2013 | 11:14 PM PDTIt's hard to believe we're so far into this project already. We've made a lot of decisions and will make many more before summer's over. Next though, we need to work out new names for the teams we'll be rebranding.
First, a note of housekeeping. I'm making a chance to the original plan for 13 Weeks of R&R. Instead of splitting up name nominations into separate weeks — which I'm sure would be overkill — Weeks 4 and 5 will play out a little differently. Here are the first three phases:
- Nominations (today thru Tue 5/7) — Suggestions for team names will be accepted in the usual fashion, via comments on this post only. Details below.
- Finalist Selections (Wed 5/8 thru Fri 5/10) — Polls will be held for each team featuring the top eligible name nominations. The purpose will be to determine three finalists for the next phase. (This may include team's original name in case voters just want new logos and/or uniforms.)
- Final Voting (Sat 5/11 thru Tue 5/14) — A final set of polls for each will feature the top three finalists and ultimately determine the team's official name.
These polls will each be open for a shorter period than normal, but previous voting has demonstrated that a week is usually more than necessary to come to a consensus. Now, you may have noticed that only gets us halfway through Week 5. We'll finish with a new one — Color Voting.
- Color Voting (Wed 5/15 thru Sat 5/18) — Unlike in the past, logo designers will not be at liberty to create a team's color palette. The voters will do that before we send the designers to work. The goal here is to prevent too much overlap in color schemes and to help guide each team to unique identities.
I'll outline more details on all of that as the time comes, but for now...
Submit team names below!
This part is very easy. Submit your ideas for what the IceHL teams in the following cities should be named. You must use the locator that was chosen in last week's polls. (Dallas was the only team where there was no majority consensus so you may submit names for Dallas or Texas.) Submit as many names as you want.
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When it comes time to vote, all teams except Detroit* will have the option to keep their current name, so there's no need to include it in your nominations. (*-During Week 2 of voting, it was decided that Detroit must undergo a full rebrand.)
For the Finalist Selections, I'll be choosing what appear to be the best and most popular names from this post. If you see a name you like, endorse it in your comment to help me gauge popularity. (But don't bother re-posting it under a different alias. I'm not as dumb as I look.)
I'd like to reserve the comments of this post for name nominations ONLY. So if you have any questions, please ask via email or by commenting on another relevant blog post.
Restrictions: This should be obvious, but I'll say it anyway. Names will NOT be accepted if they are currently used for any NHL, AHL or ECHL franchise or any pro sports team in the city in question. Other names may be disallowed on a case-by-case basis. My advice: BE ORIGINAL!
Reader Comments (143)
I'll get things started for us at this late hour. Here goes:
CALGARY STALLIONS (this way we could hang onto the existing logo)
TEXAS LAWMEN (come on, you know that would be funny — Outlaws to Lawmen)
DETROIT DRIFT (one of my favorite options from five years ago)
HALIFAX FREEZE (because we need a team that has both an X and Z in its name)
MONTREAL LEGACY (somebody needs to go a bit abstract)
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM (need a good patriotic theme)
SASKATCHEWAN SHARPSHOOTERS (like Calgary, we could keep the existing logo)
VANCOUVER TOTEMS (rather have it there than in Seattle)
For the rest (Boston, Hamilton and Washington), I would vote to keep the existing names.
Phillidelphia Liberty
Halifax Heirs ( as in prince or heir to the throne)
Saskatchewan Storm
Texas Titans
Detroit Industry
Boston Terriers
Boston Barons
Boston Bayhawks
Boston Bulldogs
Boston Bengals
Boston Breakers
Boston Pilots
Boston Steamrollers
Boston Buccaneers
Calgary Wranglers
Calgary Rowdies
Calgary Colts
Calgary Cavaliers
Calgary Cougars
Calgary Condors
Calgary Canines (or K9's)
Dallas Saints
Dallas Defenders
Dallas Drillers
Dallas Dusters -(as in dust devils/dust storms)
Dallas Stampede
Texas Stampede
Dallas Stampeders
Texas Stampeders
Dallas Stallions
Texas Stallions
Dallas Wranglers
Texas Wranglers
Texas Rattlers
Texas Cyclones
Texas Express
Texas Titans
Detroit Dynamos
Detroit Racers
Detroit Dragons
Detroit Chargers
Detroit Hot Rods
Detroit Demolition
Detroit Drivers
Michigan Mustangs
Halifax Harpooners
Halifax Seahawks
Halifax Frostbite
Halifax IceHawks
Halifax Seals
Halifax Beacons
Halifax Icebreakers
Hamilton Huskies
Hamilton Hounds
Hamilton Hornets
Hamilton Hot Rods
Hamilton Redhawks
Hamilton Highlanders
Montreal Monarchs (french - Montréal Monarques)
Montreal Majestics (french - Montréal Majestueux)
Philadelphia Falcons
Philadelphia Federals
Philadelphia Freedom Fighters
Philadelphia Fury
Philadelphia Inferno
Saskatchewan Harvesters
Saskatchewan Stealheads
Saskatchewan Scarecrows
Saskatchewan Thunderbirds
Vancouver Voyagers
Vancouver Vipers
Vancouver Crusaders
Vancouver Ravens
Vancouver Vikings
Vancouver Rams
Vancouver Wolverines
Vancouver Rainiers
Vancouver Rebels
Washington Americans
Washington Patriots
Washington Federals
Washington Generals
Washington Wolves
Washington Warriors
Detroit Mustangs(the city goes way back with ford)
Montreal Trappers or Jazz (fur trade history/jazz festival is a big thing there)
Philadelphia Liberty(liberty bell)
Saskatchewan Aggies(short for agricultural since they grow so much wheat)
HAMILTON STEELMAKERS (reaches into the city's roots with some punch to it)
HAMILTON MOUNTAINEERS ( a little more obscure but a tongue in cheek reference to Hamilton Mountain read Niagara Escarpment) great logo opportunities?
Texas Troopers
Detroit Shift (Don't know why but it sounds car related and cool to me.)
Montreal Legacy (I like Chris' idea)
Philadelphia Patriots
Vancouver Flood (lots of rain) or Vancouver Storm
*Im not very good with names as you can see, but I wanted to help.
Okay, here we go. Boston Militia
Calgary Oil booms
Texas Roadrunners (Not a pro name)
Detroit Fords
Halifax Iceheads
Hamilton Steelmen
Montreal Frenchmen
Philadelphia Keystones
Saskatchewan Deadmen
I agree with Chris about Van. name
Washington Revolution
Some ideas for my Hometown team:
Halifax Highlanders
Halifax Scots
Halifax Osprey (Nova Scotia Provicial Bird, similar to an Eagle)
Halifax Navy (Halifax has always been animportant Naval port)
Halifax Battleships
Halifax Destroyers
Halifax Arenal (we keep the Arsenal name but this time with a Navy theme)
Halifax Red Claws
Halifax Humpbacks (Common species of Whale off the coast of Nova Scotia)
Ok, I guess I should come up with some for the other cities too:
Detroit Racers
Detroit Octopus (we all know that would be awesome)
Calgary Stallions
Calgary Steeds
Texas Toros
Texas Express
Dallas Dusters
Texas Twisters
Philadelphia Generals
Philadelphia Muskets
Philadelphia Bullies
Montreal Athletique (very old sounding name)
Montreal Royal
Montreal Musique
Montreal Castors
Montreal Owls (provincial bird, never seen a sports team named this before)
Saskatchawan Reapers
Vancouver Caribou
Vancouver Totems
Vancouver Mosquitos (not very tough, but very annoying, roster could be stocked with agitators:P )
Hamilton Slammers
Hamilton Tradesmen
Boston Rebels
Calgary Broncos
Texas Big
Detroit Leopards
Halifax Freeze
Hamilton Steel
Montreal Owls
Philadelphia Brothers
Saskatchewan Walleyes
Vancouver Killer Whales
Washington Statues
Boston Golden Eagles (or Eagles, not sure what works)
Calgary Colts
Texas Thunder
Detroit Wheelmen
Halifax Express
Hamilton Hurricanes
Montreal Rivermen
Philadelphia Intimidators
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters (like the name)
Vancouver Manatees OR Sea Lions
Detroit Shift
Philadelphia Patriots
Vancouver Storm or Vancouver Flood
Montreal Lagacy (I like Chris's idea)
Here's my exhaustive list of suggestions:
Hamilton Steelers
Hamilton Machinists
Hamilton Golden
Hamilton Golden Horseshoes
Hamilton Horsemen
Could keep same logo with the following (Maybe re-color in some cases):
Calgary Cattlemen
Calgary Saddlebacks
Calgary Horsemen
Calgary Riders
Calgary Crusaders
Not really with this one:
Calgary Freeze
Dallas Herd (ie cattle)
Dallas Riggers (oil)
Dallas Knights (Why not?)
Detroit Stags (Michigan's animal is deer)
Detroit Bucks
Detroit Lakers (Great Lakes region)
Saskatchewan Stags (Provincial animal is deer)
Saskatchewan Threshers (Farming theme)
Halifax Clippers (Ship - too similar to Armada?)
Halifax Lobstermen (too similar to blue-crabs?)
Halifax Tartans (heritage)
Halifax Pipers
Nova Scotia Scotsmen (didn't know if NS was ok)
Nova Scotia Schooners
Philadelphia Amazons (sculpture)
Philadelphia Boxers (Dog or Rocky)
Philadelphia Yellowjackets (some legacy with previous sports teams)
Pennsylvania Gryphons (didn't know if Penn was ok)
Pennsylvania Miners
Pennsylvania Great Danes (Penn's state animal)
I like Ben M's Owl's suggestion - but I would call them "Les Hibous" (French for owl)
Calgary Troops
Calgary Colts
Texas Armadillos
Texas Drillers
Dallas Cyclones
Detroit Demons
Detroit Speed Demons
Detroit Nightmares
Halifax Harriers
Halifax Hares
Halifax Sea Wolves
Halifax Tides
Halifax Tollers
Hamilton Ferros (Iron reference, and call their cat mascot Feral)
Philadelphia Cannons
Philadelphia Marauders
Vancouver Kestrels
Vancouver Peregrines
Vancouver Sea Lions
Vancouver Pacifics
Saskatchewan Thunder (prairie storms, ever so common)
Halifax Citadels (borrowed from old AHL team, always liked the name)
Calgary Pronghorns
Hamilton Titans (trying to get away from 'Steel' monniker)
Boston Minutemen
Calgary Calamity
Texas Lawmen
Detroit Dinos
Halifax Heartbreakers
Hamilton Guard
Montreal Vigilant
Philadelphia Freemen
Saskatchewan Explorers
Vancouver Riot
Washington
Boston Colonials: Great name and logo that should stick around with minor tweaks!
Calgary Wranglers- Still has the cowboy/cavalry theme and the possibility of keeping the same logo. And it's not CC!
Texas/Dallas Giants- Everything is bigger in Texas right!?
Detroit Rhinos - Named after my buddy Rhino from Detroit haha
Halifax Rangers - Naval/Army theme, has a good ring to it. I also like the idea about using Arsenal for Halifax as well.
Hamilton Knights (or Steel)- To go with Dundurn castle, could definitely play with Steel name as well. Steel Knights??
Montreal Silver- I tried a name generator and enjoyed Quicksilver and thought it'd be neat. I also like Montreal Athletique
Philadelphia Ice Rats- Trying something different, a Renegade could be considered a Traitor or Rat and since they left Regina. And IceHL could use more animals!
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters - It should stay, it's a unique name with a unique logo. And I like the change to Saskatchewan as its not "Saskatchewan's team"
Vancouver Bobcats - Fairly prominent animal in BC according to the interwebs
Boston Minutemen
Calgary Rodeo
Dallas Drought
Detroit 8
Halifax Hail
Hamilton North
Montreal Riot
Philadelphia Phire
Saskatchewan Abdominal Snowmen
Vancouver Film
Washington Filibusters
Calgary Mavericks
Boston Kelts
Detroit Turbos
Texas Wranglers
Hamilton Mulcibers
Halifax Kingfish
Philadelphia Rebellion
Montreal Atlantiques
Saskatchewan Timbercats
Vancouver Salmonkings
Calgary Stallions
Calgary Riders
Dallas Dynasty
Dallas Express
Dallas Machine
Dallas Millionaires (roots in banking and insurance)
Dallas Hatters (in addition to the stetson, a subtle homage to the Trinity River...a "hat trick" is basically hockey language for a trinity.)
Dallas Twisters (in the heart of Tornado Alley)
Detroit Darts
Detroit Martlets (Mythical footless birds found in the Cadillac logo)
Detroit Volts
Detroit Impalas
Detroit Thunderbirds
Hamilton Lynx
Hamilton Hammers (city nickname)
Hamilton Dragoons (the city's namesake, George Hamilton, was part of this Royal Canadian Army unit during the War of 1812-successfully keeping the USA from taking Canada)
Hamilton Vulcans (Sorry Mr. Spock, the name's an homage to the Roman god of fire, and the forging of iron into steel)
Montreal Légendes (a modification of Chris' idea, only for Francophones)
Montreal Castors
Montreal Hiboux (French for "owls," Quebec's provincial bird)
Saskatchewan Rapids
Saskatchewan Riverhawks
Saskatchewan Shockers (reference to the strong wheat industry)
Saskatchewan Miners
Saskatchewan Fusion (reference to the city's scientific heritage and the "fusion" of the team into representing the whole province)
Saskatoon Mounties (In honor of the North-West Mounted Police, who established a federal presence in the territory so the USA would keep out)
Vancouver Explorers (George Vancouver was an explorer)
Vancouver Bigfoot (To honor the famous cryptid of the Pacific Northwest)
Vancouver Fire (Great fire of 1886)
Vancouver Chiefs (think the Native American leaders or the fire department which helped rebuild the city so fast)
Vancouver Kermodes (Bear subspecies known for a tenth of them having white or cream-colored coats)
Vancouver Mountaineers
Washington Fat Cats (just want it on the list)
Washington Spies
Washington Heroes
Halifax Beacons (Sambro Island Lighthouse-North America's oldest)
Halifax Ospreys (provincial bird of Nova Scotia)
Halifax Highlanders (Scottish heritage-hopefully you'll let it fly even with the movie "Goon" featuring a fictional team by that name)
Halifax Captains (tribute to all the ships in Halifax Harbour)
Halifax Ghosts (the Harbour is known for its shipwrecks-the logo could be a ghostly vessel)
Halifax Nor'easter (THAT's a really nasty storm to be havin')
Philadelphia Power
Philadelphia Shock (We all know the story of Ben Franklin and his kite)
Philadelphia Bullies (We all know why that's nominated)
Philadelphia Freeze (Another one of Franklin's experiments involved refrigeration)
Philadelphia Jazz (The roots of Philly soul-an Arena team already has the Soul name, so we'll go with the Jazz)
Philadelphia Vandals (a tribute to the city's graffiti artists which have since been moved to the Mural Arts Program)
Philadelphia Stallions (the list wouldn't be complete without a Rocky homage)
Dallas Bulls!
Boston Marines
Calgary Stallions
Texas Frontier
Detroit Cougars
Halifax Acadias
Hamilton Hounds
Montreal Royale
Philadelphia Fresh
Saskatchewan Tillers
Vancouver Tyees
Washington Monument
Halifax Machine ! !!!!
The Vancouver Breakers
Boston Militia
Calgary Mustangs
Texas 36ers
Detroit Stooges
Halifax Harpoons
Hamilton Hammers
(Don't change Montreal)
Philadelphia Quakers
Sask. Shockers
Vancouver Thunderbirds
(Don't change Washington)
Boston Fight
Calgary Steam
Dallas Stampede
Detroit Speed
Washington Heros
BOSTON Puritans, Revolutionaries, Bulls ("Cheers" reference), Globes (Newspaper)
CALGARY Horsemen, Colts, Saddlers, Stallions
TEXAS Dusters (Dust Bowl), Tornadoes, Twisters
DETROIT Cadillacs (Car, founder), Pontiacs (Car, Native American chief), Drift
HALIFAX Fishermen, Highlanders, Clippers (Flag)
HAMILTON Hammers, Steelers ("Steeltown"), Mohawks (Mohawk College), Chiefs
MONTREAL Royals (Mount Royal), Molson (Beer), Blues (Labatt Blue)
PHILADELPHIA Liberty, Freedom, Roots (Hip-Hop group), Franklins, Pats (Cheesesteak restaurant) Sun ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia")
SASKATCHEWAN Moose (Moose Jaw), Swift (Swift Current), Blizzard
VANCOUVER Lumberjacks, Thunder (UBC Thunderbirds), Pacifics, Mountaineers
WASHINGTON Generals, Metros, Potomacs, Americans
boston harbormen
calgary northerners
texas hangmen
detroit phoenix
halifax bacon
hamilton trappers
montreal explorers
philadelphia gobblers (turkey)
Saskatchewan huskies
vancouver eagles
washington pages (assistant, not the paper kind)
Boston - Keep as is
Calgary Mustangs (for keeping similar logo)
Calgary Bulls
Calgary Longhorns
Dallas Panhandlers
Dallas Desperados
Texas River Warriors (I don't actually like this one, but something to do with the Red River would be cool)
Detroit Generals (Not that strong, but I always find idea of teams having some sort of corporate ties in their naming interesting)
Detroit Ambassadors
Michigan Brigade (Play-on-words with the Civil War brigade)
Michigan Lakers
Detroit Speed Demons
Halifax Citadels
Halifax Highlanders
Halifax Atlantics
Halifax Breakers
Hamilton Hilltoppers (The city has a "mountain" that runs through the middle of it)
I liked Steelcats, though, or some other derivation of Steel - Steelhawks, Steelers, etc.
Montreal - Keep as is
Philadelphia Liberty
Philadelphia Quakers
Philadelphia Dutchmen
Saskatchewan Prairie Wolves/Dogs
Vancouver Lumber Kings (keeps the Lumberjacks idea, but allows for some change)
Vancouver Thunder
Vancouver Storm
Washington - Keep as is
Boston Midnight
Boston Riders
Boston Bays
Boston Beacons
Calgary Cowboys
Calgary Colts
Calgary Wranglers
Calgary Boomers
Detroit Cougars
Detroit Falcons
Detroit Mustangs
Detroit Chargers
Detroit Plymouths
Detroit Road Runners
Detroit Racers
Detroit Speeders
Halifax Atlantics
Halifax Gulls
Halifax Albatross
Halifax Sailors
Halifax Scots
Hamilton Steelhawks
Hamilton Steel
Hamilton Lakers
Montreal Musketeers
Montreal Chevaliers
Philadelphia Liberty
Philadelphia Bell
Vancouver Ravens
halifax lobsters
montreal rubber duckies
Washington commandos
Boston:
~Tea
~Saints
~Chowder
Calgary:
~Cold Front
~Chinook
~Stetsons
Dallas:
~Ranchers
Detroit:
~Drive
~Assembly
~Factory
~Ambassadors
Halifax:
~Explosion
~Arsonists
~Loyalists
~Schooners
Hamilton:
~SteelHammers
~Doughnut Lords
Montreal:
~Iroquois
~Traders
~Comics/Comedians (Les comédiens de Montréal)
~Poutine
Philadelphia: (Freedom is already posted, and is perfect)
~Brotherhood
Saskatchewan: (no submission, as I back retaining the SharpShooters)
Vancouver
~Beach Combers
~Exposition
~Salmon
~Longboats
Washington:
~Bureau
~Agency
~G-Men
Boston Shamrocks
Texas Roughriders
Detroit Racers
Montreal Knights
Like
Calgary Colts
Texas Thunder
Vancouver Storm
Halifax Highlanders
Philadelphia Liberty
Calgary Stallions- i have already seen it in a couple comments above and it grows on me
Texas Outlaws- I like the Outlaws name but let's switch it to Texas, keep logo and get new jerseys
Detroit Lakers- they are by the Great Lakes and I think it could be open to some interpretation
Halifax Highlanders- i really wanted "Islanders" but because of the stipulations I can't, Highlanders is sweet though I think
Montreal Rouge- again open to some interpretation, just sounds good
Philadelphia Ribeeyes- ok, this one's a joke, but really it could work???
Hamilton Warplanes- they are home to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters- i like the name but that's all
(Vancouver and Boston stay the same name wise)
Got one more but this is just meant for tounge in cheek humor.
Halifax IceHoles
Not sure if it matters, but there is a World Team Tennis team in Philadelphia named the Freedoms, so maybe we want to stay away from that as the team name. I only have a few name suggestions:
Halifax Hounds
Halifax Breeze
Philadelphia Fighting Squirrels
Delaware Valley RiverDogs (Philadelphia)
Boston Midnighters
Calgary Chargers (think a charging calvary)
Texas Rustlers
Dallas Dragonflys
Dallas Drakes
Detroit Prowlers
Halifax Norsemen
Hamilton Hounds
Hamilton Hyenas
Hamilton Lynx (a native animal (also a cat) and could be a reference to the steel chain links on the flag of Hamilton)
Hamilton Loons
Hamilton Robins
Montreal Magpies
Philadelphia Foxhounds
Saskatchewan Badgers
Saskatchewan Buffaloes
Saskatchewan Swifts (with a bird or fox in the logo)
Saskatchewan Trappers
Vancouver Savages
Vancouver Spiders
Vancouver Spirit Bears
Boston Colonials (keeping it around)
Calgary Colts
Halifax Arsenal
Philadelphia Bells
Montreal Soleils ( a nod to Cirque du Soleil, which was founded there)
Halifax Citadels (after the Citadel Hill fort)
Hamilton Steelers (60% of Canada's steel comes from Hamilton, though Steelcats is too difficult to design a logo for)
Detroit Soul (an allusion to 60s and 70s Motown)
Calgary Chinooks (the area's signature warm, wet coastal winds)
Vancouver Peaks
Texas Twisters
Philadelphia Bruisers/Boxers (Rocky Balboa anyone?)
Washington, Saskatchewan and Boston should keep their names.
Saskatchewan Tigers
Tiger Lilly is the provincial flower.
Boston
Calgary Stampede
Dallas Rangers
Detroit Mustangs
Halifax Platoon
Hamilton Muskies
Philadelphia Liberty
Saskatchewan Sasquatches
Vancouver Rioters
Boston Brave (not plural)
Detroit Mechanics
Detroit Model Ts
Philadelphia Greenmen
Philadelphia Rowdy
Dallas Wranglers
Washington Red Tails (nod to the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American United States Army Air Forces servicemen during World War II.)
Washington Jack Bauers (sorta serious)
Washington Filibusters
Philadelphia Founders
Vancouver Orcas
Vancouver Grizzlies (bring em back!)
Saskatchewan Bison
Detroit Wheels
Philadelphia Punchers
Boston Beans
My name suggestions:
Boston Minutemen
Texas Rangers
Saskatchewan Sasquatch
Names I liked:
TEXAS LAWMEN (via Chris)
Texas Armadillos (via March)
Halifax Highlanders (via Ben M and Jared)
Hamilton Huskies (via Matt Marczel)
Philadelphia Patriots (via Geil)
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM (via Chris)
Vancouver Wolverines (via Matt Marczel)
One last name nomination from me.
Hamilton Bloodhounds
Hamilton Heavy Hitters
I'm from Hamilton, so I'll try to provide some perspective with my suggestions. There's more to Hamilton than steel.
The Battle of Stoney Creek (Hamilton suburb) was a huge turning point in the War of 1812, in which 700 Canadians/British defeated 3,000 Americans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stoney_Creek
Hamilton Batallion
Hamilton RedCoats
Hamilton Militia
Hamilton Cannons
Hamilton Generals
Hamilton Liberty
Hamilton also has a number of historic buildings. One of the main ones being Dundurn Castle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundurn_Castle
Hamilton Highlanders (also gives nod to the Escarpment)
Hamilton Knights
Hamilton Swords
Hamilton Blades
All-in-all, though, the SteelCats identity was just TOO PERFECT, and I was sad to see it go.
I guess you'd have to be from Hamilton to understand.
Boston Revolution
Calgary 88's
Dallas Matadors
Detroit Force
Halifax Guardsmen (really like Ospreys or Highlangers though)
Hamilton Regals
Les Rouges de Montreal
Philadelphia Force
Saskatchewan Prairie Dogs
Vancouver Glaciers
Washington Weasels
It'd be nice to see Halifax's new name pay homage to the city's naval history.
Halifax Bluenosers
Halifax Explosion
Halifax Citadels
Halifax Gunners
Halifax Merchants
Halifax Steamers
Saskatchewan Rig Pigs
Saskatchewan Coalers
Saskatchewan Oilfielders
Saskatchewan Wheat Sheafs
Saskatchewan Pirates (after the song...)
Saskatchewan Bunnyhugs (Sasky slang for a hoodie)
Halifax Highlanders, Celts or Gaels
Calgary Mounties
Philadelphia Liberators or Founders
Texas Cyclones
Vancouver Helmsmen or Navigators
Detroit Forge, Minotars or Demons
Keep Montreal, Boston, Wasington, Sasketchewan, Hamilton
I'll also second the Calvary Stallions and Vancouver Sea Lions (the IceHL seems to embrace nautical/aquatic themed mascots)
Oh, and Schooners would be a great name for Halifax too.