THN.com's ECHL Logo Rankings
2008-08-06 09:20:39
Naturally, the ECHL doesn’t have as deep a history as the NHL or AHL, but that doesn’t mean the league can’t churn out some cool emblems. In fact, because many of the teams reside in “non-traditional hockey markets,” the ECHL boasts many unique team names and logos which are fun for fans who may be getting into the game for the first time.
A modern look runs through most of the league’s crests, though there still manages to be a lot of creativity. From Idaho’s mountain range to Wheeling’s scary mask, the ECHL has it all, including, unfortunately, a lot of bear mascots. All in all, however, there’s a lot to choose from here.
The Toledo Walleye was not included since the team will not play until the 2009-10 season.
Over the month of August, THN will rank the logos of 16 North American leagues. Click HERE to go to THN's Logo Rankings Central page and click HERE to vote for your top ECHL logo as part of our tournament to discover the fans' choice for the top logo in hockey.
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RK.
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LOGO
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TEAM
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THE SCOOP
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1
|
 |
Florida |
The play on words is clever, the gator is solid and he even has skate laces on his snout. |
|
2
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Dayton
Bombers |
It might just be lettering, but you can’t argue with the way this one pops. |
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3
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 |
South Carolina
Stingrays |
A big upgrade from the silly stingray of old, this two-tone entry is very slick. |
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4
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 |
Wheeling
Nailers |
The serial-killer motif is cool, and the mask and nails is simple enough for young fans to draw, a key element of fun. |
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5
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Gwinnett
Gladiators |
Bold, aggressive and it looks good on either a jersey or a hat. |
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6
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Ontario
Reign |
The dragon and shield combo proves to be a great start for this expansion team. |
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7
|
 |
Bakersfield
Condors |
A condor is a great name for a team and having it perched on a stick is a nice touch. |
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8
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Elmira
Jackals |
Similar to Augusta, Elmira comes in with a nice modern mascot rendering. |
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9
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Victoria
Salmon Kings |
Slightly goofy, yes, but this logo is completely original and fun. |
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10
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 |
Johnstown
Chiefs |
Simplicity can sometimes win the day and the arrowhead does it for us. |
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11
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Augusta
Lynx |
Golf pun aside, the Lynx do it without lettering and have a nice original mascot (but what’s up with the eyes? There are no pupils!). |
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12
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Utah
Grizzlies |
Fiercest of the legion of bears out there, you wouldn’t want to tangle with this grizzly. |
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13
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Las Vegas
Wranglers |
Points for having the wrangler riding a bull while brandishing a stick. |
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14
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Idaho
Steelheads |
Yeah, it’s just a mountain range, but there’s something powerful about this simple design. |
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15
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Alaska
Aces |
Too many bears in this league. |
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16
|
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Fresno
Falcons |
Another example of a standard sports motif; it’s a good falcon, but not a great one. |
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17
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Stockton
Thunder |
The template for ECHL logos, there’s nothing wrong with it, but nothing spectacular, either. |
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18
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 |
Charlotte
Checkers |
A sharp re-working of the team’s old cartoony mascot, it still falls into the generic bear trap. |
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19
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Cincinnati
Cyclones |
The lettering really sinks this cyclone, which is middling to begin with. |
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20
|
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Mississippi
Sea Wolves |
Has a little bear to him. Either way, a little too fuzzy for our tastes. |
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21
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Reading
Royals |
The poor man’s Manchester Monarchs. And ironically, not even the prime affiliate of the L.A. Kings anymore. |
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22
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Phoenix
Roadrunners |
Sure, roadrunners are naturally skinny, but can’t you make him somewhat intimidating? |
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23
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Trenton
Devils |
We know New Jersey made you change your name from the Titans, but not even having your own logo is tough. |
Over the next two months, THN.com will leave the voting on the best logos up to you, the reader. To vote for your favorite, click HERE.
Bret Smith (Posted 2008-09-04 04:47:09)
The Stockton Thunder is the Best!!! We always end up with a great team each year and our logo and jerseys are sharp. Our fans lead the ECHL in attendance as well. Stockton loves our Thunder players!!!
Patricia from Summerville (Posted 2008-08-28 16:17:12)
I LOVE MY SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE THE BOMB A WONDER BUNCH OF RESPECTFUL YOUNG MEN. GO RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANTHONY N. FINAZZO (Posted 2008-08-22 15:39:27)
The newly formed REIGN Hockey Team has an exciting beginning with a brand new 10,000 seat arena being built for them and their fans. Everyone seems to be very enthused about this venture in the Inland Empire of Southern California market. It appears that the REIGN has a sellout crowd for the next 5 years. What a beautiful start
thomas portella (Posted 2008-08-21 13:55:50)
First of all the majority of the people adding comments about how horrible these logos are really need to open there eyes and come to the realization that the florida everblades is the best team and has the best logo in the echl.....gives us a little credit down here yeah we may not have a kelly cup yet but give us time were way down here at the bottom of the map and still play some hard hitting hocky....pull off the play of words...everglades/everblades...brilliant...and on top of it all ive been to the ice pilots and sea wolves and the everblades bring more fans than both teams did put together last season so long story short florida everblades take the cake in the echl.....GO BLADES!!!
Jenni P (Posted 2008-08-21 08:52:42)
I hate hate hate the Charlotte Checkers logo and mascot, etc. They have a cool name, with all kinds of NASCAR/racing ties to the area and team name, and they have a goofy polar bear mascot, in NORTH CAROLINA? Come on, people. Get with the program! I remember when their team had a race car painted zamboni... it was great! And it was a good tie in for the fans who are still learning about hockey.
Jeff (Posted 2008-08-10 17:40:34)
Ozzy,
I believe you are thinking of the Columbia (SC) Inferno, who folded after last season. Columbus, GA previously had a team in the ECHL (Cottonmouths), but they are now members of the SPHL.
Mark A. Imler (Posted 2008-08-08 23:11:23)
How can you idiotic boobs not rate Rowdy of the Albany River Rats as one of the greatest AHL logos!!! He's been around for almost 16 years and I consider him to be the best, better than all the rest!!! Besides, the Iowa Chops' logo looks like a bad imitation of Porky Pig!!!
Bob Cbus (Posted 2008-08-08 15:53:17)
What about that photo of chuck heston and a monkey making out?
keith (Posted 2008-08-08 08:54:45)
Hard for any logo to be worse than the old Cincy Cyclones "C"!!
I've talked to some of the Rockford people who regard the IHL as a beer league, for what it's worth. Didn't Bud Light sponsor the UHL all-star game once?
Ozzy (Posted 2008-08-08 00:13:54)
Where are the Colombus Inferno?
Bill B (Posted 2008-08-07 17:58:44)
Razzle,
Half of our team spent time in the AHL last year and about 7 of them were in Chicago for the hoisting of the Calder Cup. 3 were on a line in every game of the finals and even scored goals or assists. By your standards that would make the AHL a beer-league too wouldn't it?
And as I said before but it got deleted...the Gwinnett logo is wrong and not what is worn on the jerseys.
Bob cbus (Posted 2008-08-07 16:57:42)
What about the Columbus Chill? Their logo was simple and classy. Sometimes a simplistic design is the better design.
jay em ache (Posted 2008-08-07 12:40:59)
Razzle-Dazzle (Posted 2008-08-07 11:48:27)
Man! all these logos really SUCK! I can't believe we're even discussing the echl, IT SUCKS! has anyone ever watched a echl game on the nhl network, its horrible! local beer leagues are almost as good! if this is how bad it gets already (only in the 3rd round), I don't even want to see the rest. there's not even one logo here better then then the canes ( worst all time nhl logo )
Yes i go to both NHL (thrashers) and echl (gwinnett gladiators) There is an obvious difference in play, but to compare the echl to a "beer league" is a bit out of hand. These are mainly up and coming players, not washed up sud-sucking bums. Most of them are called up to play in the AHL, and some even make it to the NHL. Go see them in person, it is allot different than watching on tv. Some of the most enjoyable games I have ever seen have been at the Gwinnett Center(voted one ofthe best venues) Echl is a great league, the logos are just as good as AHL if not better. They also do not use those stupid RBK jerseys that are used in the NHL. What a bizarre cut! It looks like crap. Also, The odd thing about this log contest is allot of the logos I see are not the logos on the actual jerseys. There are sometimes a difference in the official logos and the jersey logos. ECHL rules.
Razzle-Dazzle (Posted 2008-08-07 11:48:27)
Man! all these logos really SUCK! I can't believe we're even discussing the echl, IT SUCKS! has anyone ever watched a echl game on the nhl network, its horrible! local beer leagues are almost as good! if this is how bad it gets already (only in the 3rd round), I don't even want to see the rest. there's not even one logo here better then then the canes ( worst all time nhl logo )
candy (Posted 2008-08-07 10:47:12)
I really like the bombers logo, it works, Cinci's on the other hand could use the touches of an adult, not something cute for the fans, That Cyclone is old news time for an upgrade.
Louis (Posted 2008-08-07 00:43:56)
the original Phoenix Roadrunner logo from the 60's was far better than that..that chicken they use now...
lou costello (Posted 2008-08-06 23:39:03)
Long Beach Ice Dogs rule
Jason B (Posted 2008-08-06 22:39:15)
Where are the Toledo Walleye? I know they're new but what a randomly awesome mascot
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-06 21:54:59)
You like the Nailers logo & dissed the Phantom logo in AHL? The Phantom is WAY cooler. The Chiefs logo is cool because of Slapshot & I do like the Ontario one.
PaulC (Posted 2008-08-06 20:39:06)
Im sorry, but the Cyclones logo has never been properly respected and even though I am a "homer" the Cyclones logo is a top 10 at least. The Dayton Bombers? 2nd? This ranking is a joke. I would have put the Salmon Kings ahead of them, and that fish just plain stinks.....just not as bad as Florida and Dayton. Worthless ranking.
SAK (Posted 2008-08-06 20:02:06)
Johnstown Chiefs = Charlestown Chiefs from Slap Shot
When the movie was filmed in Johnstown in the 70s producers chose "Charlestown" as the name for Reg Dunlop's team rather than the name of the actual team/town the movie was inspired by (Johnstown Jets, 1974-75 Lockhart Cup Champions!!!!!)
reason enough to vote for my boys...
Matt (Posted 2008-08-06 18:48:58)
Why do lower level leagues use so much text. I'm not a fan of it. That gladiator looks like a gladiator to me, you don't need to spell it out to me. I think the Falcons deserve to be higher, maybe not unique in the sports world but it's good looking. Not a bad group of logos in general, Trenton definately needs to get its own devil though.
Koho (Posted 2008-08-06 18:47:46)
Ontario Reign is perfect.
R_L (Posted 2008-08-06 18:29:18)
The funny thing is The Bombers secondary logo is better than the primary logo.
Carolyn Greene (Posted 2008-08-06 16:27:42)
Ironically, Reading fans were assured that no matter who the new affiliate was, we would be allowed to keep the existing logo colors, which we LIKE. Just watch attendance drop off if they try and shove a Mini-Marlies theme on us next year.
Wyatt (Posted 2008-08-06 16:01:49)
I'm so glad my team won the Kelly Cup instead of this silly ranking contest!
Still, The 'Clones logo is a FAR CRY better than those silly Salmon Kings.
Chris (Posted 2008-08-06 15:30:31)
The Utah Grizzlies should be in the top 10, in place of the Salmon Kings.
Steve White (Posted 2008-08-06 14:59:48)
Actually Bob, while Reading shifted their primary affiliation to Toronto, they will have a secondary affiliation with the Kings, at least for this coming season.
Brian S. (Posted 2008-08-06 14:09:55)
none of these are that great, but Vegas, Ontario (Ca.), and Phx are my favorite.
Roadrunners definitely got the shaft in this rankings... it's something of a classic dating back to the WHA and IHL, but updated.
Bruce (Posted 2008-08-06 14:06:41)
How about a link to a larger image of each logo?
Randall Buschmann (Posted 2008-08-06 13:51:29)
I think the best looking of the bunch is the Ontario Reign, thats pretty awesome! You guys lose big points for ranking that awful Salmon Kings logo at no. 9.
bob (Posted 2008-08-06 13:22:38)
No Mike, Reading is affiliated with the Leafs now.
Mike Van Duyne (Posted 2008-08-06 13:16:54)
The Reading Royals are still actually affiliated with the L.A. Kings, and I think that their logo is pretty cool. The tournament should be going by design, teams with bear logos shouldn't be lower just because you think their are too many.
Matt Campbell (Posted 2008-08-06 11:49:21)
There are too many bears in this league but the Checkers should have gotten precedence because they were here first. Florida's logo has skates in his mouth because it IS a skate.
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-08-06 11:09:36)
So the cat on the Augusta Lynx has no pupils in his eyes? Big deal! This didn't seem to handicap Little Orphan Annie all those years!
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