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.
 |
 | |
 |
 | |
 |
 | |
 |
 | |
 |
 | |
 | ||
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)
Boston Coffees
Boston Brewers
Hamilton Hammers
Hamilton Lancasters
Hamilton Mohawks
Hamilton Millers
Halifax Navies
Halifax Vets
Detroit Autos
Detroit Hurons
Detroit Michigans
Detroit Resurgents
Texas Allies
Texas Slingers
Texas Rifles
Dallas Mustangs
Calgary Mustangs
Calgary Cows
Calgary Bucks
Calgary Spurs
Calgary Riggers
Montreal Royals
Montreal Classiques
Montreal Insulaires
Montreal Rivieres
Montreal Rapides
Vancouver Explorers
Vancouver Pacifics
Vancouver Victorias
Washington Federals
Washington Justice
Washington Monuments
Philadelphia Independents
Philadelphia Grays
Philadelphia Fighters
Detroit Falcons
Detroit Dragons
Halifax Sailors
Calgary Cowboys
Dallas Force
Hamilton Steelhawks
Montreal Aviators
Saskatchewan Prairie Attack
Vancouver Whalers
Boston Battalion
Boston Colonials
Boston Terriers
Calgary Stallions
Calgary Thunder
Texas Sheriffs
Dallas Oilmen
Detroit Overdrive
Detroit Phoenixes
Hamilton Steel
Hamilton Hammers
Halifax Freeze
Halifax Ospreys
Montreal Chevaliers
Montreal Royale
Philadelphia Freedom
Philadelphia Titans
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters
Saskatchewan Gunfighters
Vancouver Totems
Vancouver Woodsmen
Washington Sentinels
Washington Strikers
The only reason I voted for Philadelphia to get a team was to call them the Philadelphia Freedom, glad to see other people have chosen it too. Other suggestions (teams I've omitted I'd like to retain their names):
Boston - Harbormen, Patriots
Calgary - Chinook, Colts, Cowboys
Dallas - Demons, Deputies, Texans
Detroit - Roxities, Vipers
Halifax - Highlanders, Atlantic Puffins, Nova Scotia Scotties
Philadelphia - Freedom, Pharaohs, Railroaders, Keystones
Vancouver - Mounties, Wolverines
Washington - Generals, Warriors
Boston- Minutemen, Party (like Tea Party), Diggers (Boston's Big Dig), Beans, Baymen, Bay Blades, Midnight Riders, Beacons, Fleet
Calgary- Broncos, Stampede(rs), Cowboys,
Dallas (Texas)- Rangers, Bandits, Bulls, Texans, Ranchers, Metros
Detroit- Motors, Cougars, Lakers, Fighters, Rams, Fist, Saints, Explorers, Union, Arsenal, Hitters
Halifax- Islanders, Squadron, Riot, Shippers, Expedition, Raiders
Hamilton- IceCats, (Next four are based on the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum being in Hamilton) Warbirds, Fury, Sabres, Aeros
Montreal- Rockets (for Maurice Richard), Quebecois, Saints, Traders, Royales, Rebels
Philadelphia- Revolution/Revs, Liberty, Patriots, Freedom, Brotherhood
Saskatchewan- Sasquatches/Squatches, Hunters, Frontiersmen, Snowmen, Frost, Stones/Stoners (Curling, not weed), Sharptails
Vancouver- (Lumber)Jacks, Timbers, Islanders, 58ers, Whalers, Captains, Totems, Mountainmen, Millers, Roughnecks
Washington- Generals, Senators, Governors, Eagles, Warriors, Federals
I'd like to put in another vote for the Hamilton Hammers and for keeping the Saskatchewan Sharpshooters & Boston Colonials
And Philadelphia Freedom just reminds me of the Elton John song - I guess we'd know what their goal celebration song would be...
Saskatchewan Prairie Dogs
Boston Brigade
Calgary Wranglers
Dallas Oildogs
Detroit Mustangs
Halifax Vikings
Hamilton Steelcats
Montreal Olympique
Philadelphia Freedom
Saskatchewan Storm
Vancouver Evergreen's
Washington
Big Tex HC
Texas Cotton Kings
Texas Independence
Texas Locomotives
Texas Lonestars
Texas Republic/Republic of Texas
Texas Revolution
Dallas or Texas Derricks
Texas Petro
Calgary Clydesdales
Calgary Rockies
Calgary Colts
Calgary Cowboys
Calgary Stallions
Calgary Broncos
Calgary Mustangs
A mix of propositions I liked and stuff I came up with:
Boston Puritans (like in the purest hockey tradition)
Boston Loyalists
Calgary Mounties
Calgary Rodeo (like in hang to your stuff when you play them)
Calgary Colts / Cavaliers
Detroit / Michigan Cabriolets
Michigan Lakers
Michigan Superior
(I know Detroit is on Lake Erie but MIchigan does have a shore on Lake Superior.)
Halifax Acadians
Halifax Seafarers
Halifax Lobstermen
Halifax Citadel
Montreal Monarchs (Montrealers are the kings of hockey + quebecers just LOVE the monarch butterfly)
Montreal Flying Frenchmen
Montreal Flying Frogs
Montreal Legacy
Texas Loners
Texas Deserters
Texas Toros (how cool logos can come out)
Texas Tornados
Philadelphia Liberty
Saskatchewan Storm
Vancouver Totems
Vancouver Chiefs
Vancouver Orcas
Vancouver Killer Whales (but it'd look like the present Canucks logo too much...)
Washington Ambassadors
Ontario Waterfall
Saw it above and liked it: Detroit Ambassadors
Boston: Riders, Beaneaters
Calgary: Broncos, Rockies
Dallas: Locomotives, Drillers
Detroit: Racers, Mustangs
Halifax: Schooners, Bluenose(s)
Hamilton: Chiefs, Wildcats
Montreal: Royals, Traders, Voyageurs
Philadelphia: Liberty, Stallions
Saskatchewan: Thunder, Prairie Dogs
Vancouver: Storm, Timbers
Washington: Commanders, Monuments
Halifax Kingfishers. (Provincial Bird)
Saskatchewan Stags. (Part of the provincial coat of arms)
Detroit Turbo
Washigton Revolution (agree)
Philadelphia Liberty (agree)
du Francophones Montreal
Saskatchewan Prarie Dogs
Vancouver Orcas
Boston Loyalists
Halifax Acadians
Calgary Vikings (wiki says the name may be derived from Old Norse language)
Calgary Wranglers
Detroit Diesels
Detroit Mustang
Detroit Racers
Detroit Roadsters
Detroit Cobras
Motorheads was perfect. sigh.
Halifax Beacons
Halifax Highlanders
Halifax Arsenal
Halifax Vikings
Halifax Raiders
Montreal Monarchs
Montreal Knights
Montreal Dukes
Montreal Olympiques
Montreal Musketeers
Philadelphia Patriots
Philadelphia Federals
Philadelphia Keystones
Philadelphia Heavyweights?
NOT the Freedom (Way too abstract)
Vancouver Thunderbirds
Vancouver Trappers
Hamilton Steelcats
Hamilton Hammers
Dallas Outlaws
Dallas Sherriffs
Dallas Drillers
Dallas Titans
(Don't like Texas since there's a team in Houston)
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters
Saskatchewan Isotopes
Boston Colonials
Washington Sentinels
Washington Filibusters actually sounds kind of cool.
Boston Colonials
Calgary Colts
Texas Outlaws
Detroit Motown Mayhem
Halifax Beacons
Hamilton Buccaneers
Montreal Voyageurs
Philadelphia Freedom
Saskatchewan Bisons
Vancouver Cascaders
Washington Warriors
I will post the name of who I got the idea from next to the suggestion. If i thought of it myself, I will not have a name there, I may of thought of it myself even if someone else posted it. Great Minds think alike! Also, I simply wrote the name of who I saw it from first.
Boston Minutemen
Calgary Crusaders (Chris)
Philadelphia Liberty
Stick with the Washington Sentinels
Hamilton Bloodhounds (Matt Marczel)
Saskatchewan Pirates (JL)
Montreal Glaçons (Ice in French)
Detroit Demons (Alex) Would choose Mustangs, but already chose Crusaders for Calgary
Halifax Caribou
Boston Americans
Boston Brave(s)
Boston Colonials
Boston Ducks (duck boats)
Boston Brews
Calgary Chillers
Calgary Chaos
Texas Titans
Dallas Dusters
Texas Twisters
Detroit Machine
Detroit Blaze
Halifax Surf
Halifax Riptide(s)
Halifax Rocks
Halifax Beacons
Hamilton Swords
Hamilton Steelcats
Hamilton Smoke
Hamilton Haulers
Montreal Majestic
Philadelphia Firehawks
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters
Vancouver Lumberjacks
Vancouver Timbers
Vancouver Navigators
Washington Sentinels
Washington Glory
Washington Defenders
Boston Colonials
Calgary Colts
Texas Drillers
Detroit Industrials
Halifax Schooners
Hamilton Loyalists
Montreal Olympic
Philadelphia Liberty
Saskatchewan Mounties (All RCMP are trained in the province)
Vancouver Timbers
Vancouver - Storm, Chiefs, Thunder
Halifax - Mariners, Highlanders, Schooners
Calgary - Colts, Chinook, Raptors
Montreal - Saints, Monarchs, Rocket
Hamilton - Rock, Steelers, Steel
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters
Philadelphia - Fight, Patriots
Dallas/Texas - Raiders, Roughnecks
Detroit - Motor, Vipers
Some liked previous mentions, some of my own:
Boston Bulldogs
Boston Dialect
Calgary Wranglers
Dallas Desperados
Texas Stampede
Texas Giants
Detroit Thunderbirds
Montreal Trappers
Montreal Legends
Saskatchewan Prairie Bears
Saskatchewan Prairiemen
Vancouver Overcast
Vancouver Vengeance
Washington Generals
Washington Suits
Washington Jammers ( traffic here sux )
Hamilton Steelers
Boston Dropkickers
Calgary Red Maple's
Dallas Lone Stars
Halifax Lighthouses
Philadelphia Chef's
to name a few
Oh nice, I actually really back the Montreal Voyageurs name. It is the only one so far that actually is a French name (which is pretty crucial for Montreal) and it really carries the history of the city in it. Plus it evokes intrepid and super fast players.
@Simon - glacon is an icecube you put in your soda. Doesn't really sound nice for a hockey team, to my opinion.
Detroit Mustangs has my vote!
Boston Shamrocks
Calgary Mustangs
Dallas Tornados
Texas Tornados
Halifax Sailors
Vancouver Storm
Montreal Voyaguers
Saskatchewan Warriors
The Octopi would be great for Detroit too.
Here are my suggestions:
Boston Strong, Blazers or Blades
Calgary Herd, Rodeo or Wranglers
Dallas Devils, Darkness, Archangels
Detroit Speed, Burnout, Racers
Halifax Schooners, Sailors, Wave
Hamilton Haida (Canada's most famous warship), Hammers, Tigers
Montreal Merit, Royale, Miracle
Philadelphia Liberty, Railers, Mural
Saskatchewan Shockers, Tunnelers, Shooters
Vancouver Voyage, Peak, Totems
Washington Independence, Army, War
First of all I think people are going way overboard on alliteration!!!
After going thru every post here is my list of likes and dislikes:
LIKES: (Favorites in BOLD) (* beside my own)
Boston Colonials (original was good)
Boston Bulldogs
Boston Eagles
BOSTON SHAMROCKS
*Boston Bandits
Detroit Drift
DETROIT RACERS (has the feel of a legendary name that could last forever)
Detroit Chargers
Detroit Mustangs
Detroit Turbos
Detroit Vipers
Hamilton SteelCats (original was good)
Hamilton Steelers
Hamilton Knights
HAMILTON LYNX
HAMILTON WARBIRDS
Halifax Arsenal (old name translates well to new city)
HALIFAX CLIPPERS (has a legendary feel, so good)
Halifax Ghosts
Calgary Colts
Calgary Mustangs
Calgary Longhorns
Calgary Rockies
Dallas Saints
Dallas Knights
Dallas Locomotives
Texas Rattlers
Texas Cyclones
*Texas Cobras
Montreal Trappers
Montreal Olympiques (old name still good)
MONTREAL OWLS
MONTREAL BLUES
Montreal Rockets
Philadelphia Bullies
PHILADELPHIA CANNONS
Philadelphia Titans
SASKATCHEWAN THUNDERBIRDS
Saskatchewan Thunder
Vancouver Wolverines
Vancouver Breakers
Vancouver Timbers
Vancouver Roughnecks
*Vancouver Rockies
*Vancouver Cascades
*Vancouver Blues
Washington Sentinels (old name still good)
Washington Eagles
Washington Metros
The BAD + UGLY:
Boston Beans??
Boston Chowder??
Calgary Cows (i can only imagine the jokes)
Detroit Industry
Detroit Fords
Detroit Octopus
Detroit Michigans.. (huh? city then state names?)
Halifax Humpbacks
Halifax Heartbreakers (this is hockey not high school)
Halifax Bacon (not sure if serious?)
Montreal Frenchmen
Montreal Poutine (again, not sure if serious?)
Philadelphia Brothers (no, just no.)
Philadelphia Gobblers (3rd time, not sure if serious?)
Saskatchewan Deadmen
Saskatchewan Sasquatches (trying way too hard on the alliteration boys)
Washington Statues
Washington Pages
Washington Jack Bauers (really???)
Vancouver Flood
Vancouver Film (this doesn't even make sense, not even a little bit)
Vancouver Riot(ers) (grow up, that is a lowblow)
Vancouver Victorias
Vancouver Manatees
Vancouver anything ocean dwelling (no whales, no sea lions, no salmon, no no no.)
Calgary Mounties
Calgary Stallions
Detroit Drift
Halifax Atlantics
Montreal Athletiques
Montreal Metros
Philadelphia Liberty (Posted that in the comments a few weeks ago)
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters
Saskatchewan Huskers
Vancouver Comets
Vancouver Jacks (As in Jackrabbits)
Vancouver Express
Vancouver Frostbite
Vancouver Tribe
Vancouver Silverbacks
Washington Whiteshirts
Please do not use Halifax Explosion. Too many people died in that disaster back in 1917 to have a hockey team named that.
Montreal Mag
Montreal Milice
Montreal Mercenaires
Montreal Athletique
Montreal Voyageurs
Montreal Royale
Montreal Rockets
Calgary Chinook
Texas/Dallas Armadillos
Detroit Mustangs
Halifax Schooners
Hamilton Lakers
Montreal Voltigeurs
Philadelphia Brotherhood
Saskatchewan Pirates
Vancouver Jays
Washington Monuments
Boston Beaners
Halifax Bluenosers
Washington Georges
Detroit Bridgemen (not Mel)
Dallas Riggers
Philadelphia Penns
Vancouver Billionaires
Regina Prairie Dogs
Hamilton WildCatters
Montreal Rockets
Calgary Stetsons
Boston Beaners
Halifax Bluenosers
Washington Georges
Detroit Bridgemen (not Mel)
Dallas Riggers
Philadelphia Penns
Vancouver Billionaires
Regina Prairie Dogs
Hamilton WildCatters
Montreal Rockets
Calgary Stetsons
Given the heritage of the city
Halifax Highlanders
Halifax Citadel
Halifax Convoy
Vancouver Salmon
Philadelphia Liberty
Philadelphia Franklins (Ben)
Calgary Chinook
Dallas Tornado
Forgot Calgary Dragons and Vancouver should keep their name except slightly shorten it to LumberJax or just Jax
Halifax Privateers - big rum running, pirate history
Halifax Explosion - major historical event in Halifax history
Halifax Lake Monsters - Halifax is known as the City of Lakes
Halifax Horde - sounds cool
Texas Rancheros
Texas Tornadoes
Texas Tusks
Texas Rattlers
Washington Monuments
Philadelphia Photons
Philadelphia Fury
Boston Brawlers
Boston Bruisers
New England Noreasters
Detroit Demons
Calgary Rockslide
A few suggested names that definitely should not fly.
Boston Terriers (Boston University nickname)
Boston Minutemen (University of Massachusetts nickname)
Calgary Cowboys (WHA team)
Detroit Cougars (Red Wings old name)
Detroit Falcons (Red Wings old name)
Detroit Stags (WHA team called Michigan Stags)
Detroit Vipers (IHL team from the 90s)
Halifax Highlanders (from the Goon movie)
Halifax Wave (already an IceHL team called the Wave)
Montreal Royals (there was a minor league baseball team called this before the Expos)
Texas Rangers (MLB team)
Washington Generals (exhibition basketball team that Harlem Globetrotters always beats)
Vancouver Ravens (a local Lacrosse team)
NHL teams called Rangers, Islanders and Blues (c'mon guys, you should know better)
also WHA teams named Saints, Toros, Racers, Crusaders, Roadrunners, Bulls, Knights... then again, there was also a team called the Mariners.
Washington Impact
Texas Cactus (try to say that 5 times fast)
Vancouver Flood
Halifax Shamrocks (Heavy Irish population)
Detroit Spartans
Hamilton Lift
Philadelphia Fear
Boston Nightmare
Montreal Legion
Favorites are in caps. Asterisks denote names not already suggested for that city.
Boston-
COLONIALS
Minutemen
Calgary-
Stampede
MUSTANGS
Dallas/Texas-
Outlaws
Bison*
Bulls
LOCOMOTIVES
Rattlesnakes
Vipers*
Twisters
Tornados
Detroit
Motors
RACERS
Mustangs
Octopi
Halifax
KINGFISHERS
Hoard*
Vikings
Osprey
Hamilton
Steelcats
HAMMERS
Hounds
Montreal
OLYMPIQUES
Monarchs
Royals
Dukes
Rockets
Voyageurs
Owls
Philadelphia
Federals
Federalists/Anti-Federalists*
LIBERTY
Freedom
Saskatchewan
SHARPSHOOTERS
Sasquatch
Stags
Beavers*
Pirates
Vancouver
REDWOODS*
Grizzlies
Thunderbirds
Comets
Wolves*
Washington
SENTINELS
Eagles
G-Men
Vancouver Jaxx
I'm picturing a logo of a jackrabbit as a lumberjack. Would love to see this happen.
Boston Chowders
Calgary Blizzards
Dallas Grandes
Detroit Dinosaurs
Halifax Icebergs
Hamilton Golems
Montreal Frogs
Philadelphia Insanity
Saskatchewan Voyageurs
Vancouver 54-40ers
Washington Corruption
Boston Colonials
Boston Hornets
Boston Bullock
Calgary Rockies
Texas Enforcers
Texas Steed
Dallas Steed
Detroit Steelers
Detroit Damage
Halifax Haligonians
Halifax Bluenosers
Hamilton Steelcats
Hamilton Hounds
Requins de Montreal
Gladiateurs de Montreal
Patriotes de Montreal
Caps Blanc de Montreal
Philadelphia Bombers
Philadelphia Lynx
Philadelphia Princes (do it for Will)
Saskatchewan Sharpshooters
Saskatchewan Cree
Saskatchewan King Cobras
Vancouver Volt
Vancouver Tigers
Washington Wolves
Washington Wranglers
Boston Brewers
Calgary Bulls
Calgary Stallions
Calgary Broncos
Dallas Renegades
Dallas Outriders
Dallas Scouts
Dallas Oilers
Detroit Engines
Detroit Hotrods
Detroit Motors
Halifax Schooners
Hamilton Steel/Steelers
Montreal Voyageurs
Montreal Rouges
Philadelphia Thunder
Philadelphia Bolts
Saskatchewan Raiders
Saskatchewan Mustangs
Saskatchewan Grinders
Vancouver Orcas
Vancouver Ravens
Vancouver Mountaineers
Vancouver Timbermen
Vancouver Loggers
Washington Federals
Washington Warriors
Washington Banners
CALGARY Colts
ARLINGTON Americans
DETROIT Generals
HALIFAX Highlanders
MONTREAL Metros
PHILADELPHIA Freedom
SASKATCHEWAN Sharpshooters
VANCOUVER Millionaires
Boston Minutemen
Calgary Stampede
Texas Lawmen / Marshalls
Detroit Crankshafts / Hubcaps
Halifax Hounds / Geese
Hamilton Hooplah
Montreal Magnifique
Philadelphia Founders / Square Nails
Saskatchewan Scouts
Vancouver Riot / Lunatics
Washington Warbirds
Boston BUCCANEERS
Calgary CAVALIERS
Dallas COWBOYS
Detroit MUSTANGS
Halifax HUSKIES
Hamilton STEELERS
Montreal OLYMPIQUES
Philadelphia BULLDOGS
Saskatchewan SPIRITS
Vancouver WOLWERINES
Washington WARRIORS
Boston Minutemen
Calgary Stampede
Dallas Diablos
Detroit Union
Halifax Bombers
Hamilton Hellhounds
Montreal Trappers
Philadelphia Grays (named after this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Grays_%28Philadelphia%29)
Vancouver Railers (Vancouver was founded as the western terminus of the Canadian transcontinental railway.)
Washington Monuments