UPDATE: The Utah Hockey Membership is the title chosen for the workforce’s first season in Salt Lake Metropolis, the workforce introduced Thursday.
“At the moment is a monumental day for the state of Utah as we formally shut on the institution of a brand new NHL franchise,” Ryan Smith, governor of Utah Hockey Membership and chairman of Smith Leisure Group, mentioned in an announcement. “The NHL has been unbelievable to work with all through this course of, offering us with invaluable steerage and assist.
The workforce’s official title shall be revealed in time for the 2025-26 season.
EARLIER: Once you consider Utah, what instantly springs to thoughts?
Take into account that the state’s NBA franchise is nicknamed the Jazz, one thing that the majority don’t affiliate with swingin’ Salt Lake Metropolis. However the brand new Nationwide Hockey League franchise, transferring the Arizona Coyotes to the Beehive State, has narrowed down its decisions to 6 state-appropriate nicknames.
Smith Leisure Group, the workforce’s house owners, introduced in the present day the six names for the workforce that bows this fall. They’re the Utah Blizzard, Utah Hockey Membership (Utah HC), Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, Utah Venom, and Utah Yeti. No, the Bees didn’t make the minimize.
The finalists have been decided by a primary spherical of fan voting. SEM mentioned in Thursday’s information launch. They claimed 520,000 votes have been forged, with greater than 60% of them touchdown on the six names remaining. Followers can vote on their selection once more by June 20.
Even when the title is chosen, the workforce may have some work forward. Utah’s workforce will put on jerseys of their first season with “UTAH” throughout the entrance. When the title is set upon, SEG will create a emblem, mascot and branding to match that may seem on sweaters for the 2025-26 season.
The NHL’s Utah workforce will play out of Delta Enviornment, the Jazz’s residence, for this coming season.