Yesterday the entire hockey world was abuzz with reports that the Arizona Coyotes will relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah for next season.
The Coyotes, of course, have been mired by years of instability in Arizona and there have been relocation rumors surrounding the team for literally decades at this point. So, while it's not surprising that the Coyotes are relocating, the speed at which all of this is transpiring is enough to make your head spin.
Yesterday morning there were a few scattered reports about possible relocation and then by mid-afternoon prospective owner Ryan Smith in Utah was posting on social media asking fans to name the new team. Seriously... it's happening that fast.
This morning, NHL insider Jeff Marek reported that when the Coyotes relocate to Utah their AHL affiliate Tucson Roadrunners will move into... Mullet Arena. The same arena the NHL team currently plays in. So, in effect the entire Arizona market including Tucson, Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale and Phoenix is just being demoted to the AHL.
So... what should this new team in Utah be called?
It has been reported that Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo will retain ownership of the 'Arizona Coyotes' name, so the franchise is likely to get a rebrand in Salt Lake City. There have also been reports that ANY pro sports team in Utah must be named after the state, such is the case for the Utah Jazz (owned by Smith) of the NBA. But then again there is Real Salt Lake of the MLS so who really knows?
In any case, what should the team name be?
Fill out the survey yourself for a chance to win the 'name the team' contest:
Some of my personal faves from some creative Twitter users:
Personally, I like the alliteration of the 'Utah Yeti' but we've already got a mythical beast in the NHL with the Seattle Kraken. Maybe we can bring in the Atlanta Chupacabras or the Houston Sasquatches in 2027?
I kid, of course, but I do wonder what a good team name would be for a new team in Salt Lake City. Thoughts?
