Eight of The Hockey News' women's hockey contributors gave their immediate pick for which PWHL team name was their favorite...and the answers...differed.
Eight of The Hockey News' women's hockey contributors gave their immediate pick for which PWHL team name was their favorite...and the answers...differed.
The PWHL unveiled their six team names - Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, Toronto Sceptres - thrilling fans with the next step of the league's evolution. They also unveiled logos for each.
Like anything, opinions differ, so we polled several contributors to The Hockey News' women's coverage to find out their favorite team name. Here's what each person chose.
Alex Adams: Minnesota Frost encapsulates the cold, landscape, and (Vibes) of Minnesota while also providing a singular name in a similar vein to their NHL team the Minnesota Wild. The Frost resonates with the state of Minnesota while also is mighty and powerful. Overall, the Minnesota Frost speaks to the city which is the most important part of a team’s name, whether someone from the city feels spoken to with the team’s name. Minnesota did that and that is why it is my favourite name.
Cee Benwell: The best part of these names is that everyone will probably prefer their favorite team’s name. That means they’re all suitable and will be fun to work with. I think the names all work, but paired with the logos, my favorite is (surprise) Toronto Sceptres. They kept things tasteful and appropriately regal, and the font works with the elegant feel. Adding a touch of gold seems just fine, too. And the sceptre as a hockey stick is just the crowning touch.
Ellen Bond: My favourite is Montreal Victoire….I think it’s classy, works both in English and French. For my home team, Ottawa, I'm not a fan of red and yellow, would have liked to stay red and black like every other team in Ottawa. Charge will be good for fan cheers.
Ian Kennedy: I'm a fan of the simple names like Frost and Fleet. But my favorite has to be the New York Sirens. Although the league played away from the mythological origins of the name and tied it more to a goal siren, the double meaning is intriguing. It leaves the name open to evolve its own identity. If I had to pick a second, it would be the Boston Fleet. Simple, tied to the city's harbor heritage, and unique.
Pat Laprade: Boston Fleet. I wouldn’t say it is my favorite, but it’s the one I dislike the least. It reminds me of the FleetCenter and the word has good ties with the city of Boston. I’m ok with it.
Curtis Martin: Of all of the names announced on Monday morning the Sceptres is the most unique and stood out from the rest of the names when first announced. The crest surrounding the T looks like the royal pictures we got last week. I do think the logo leaves a little to be desired but the name on its own separates them from the more generic names of the rest of the franchises. I think the name will also spark a lot of fans to bring sceptres and could even see one be handed out to the team's player of the game similar to the Seattle Mariners trident.
Chris Sinclair: The Boston Fleet, a very apropos choice for a city whose fishing economy has been so critical to the city, and to the State, for hundreds of years. “Fleet” evokes images of fleets of schooners embarking on fishing trips, masts waving in the sea air, navigating the turbulent waters, everyone working hard together to steer the ship in the same direction, all with a common goal. Reflecting on Boston’s first season, these images ring particularly true as it was turbulent at times, but they came together as a team, righted the ship, and steered it right to the Final.
Alex Wauthy: Ever since the PWHL released the original six’s primary colours, New York’s teal palette caught my eye. With the logo and name revealed, I can confidently say that the New York Sirens are my favourite PWHL brand so far. Sirens encapsulate the sights and sounds of New York in a way that isn’t too cheesy or obvious, like Sound, and can have many different meanings depending on how fans want to interpret it. Montréal Victoire gets an honourable mention.