Fan reaction to six trademarked PWHL names was negative, and at times combative. But in response, many fans came up with their own names, many that sounded good.
When the PWHL's six team names slipped into the public realm this week, the names were met with consensus disdain. It was a marketing flop for the the PWHL, which has been riding a high since the league held its inaugural free agency period and draft.
Following the PWHL's choices of the Boston Wicked, Minnesota Superior, Montreal Echo, New York Sound, Ottawa Alert, and Toronto Torch, fans criticized and mocked, but also, suggested.
Perhaps the PWHL's marketing team would be wise to listen to some of these fan selections, many of which had merit.
Popular names that re-occurred included Valkryies, Empires, Royales, Monarchs, Queens, Sky, Furies, and one name that the PWHL chose, the Alerts, although fans wanted to see it pluralized similar to the historic Ottawa Alerts that played from 1915 until the beginning of World War II.
Here are a few of the fan/reader replies suggesting new names: