Utah Hockey Club Nears Selection Of Official Team Name

With the conclusion of its inaugural season drawing near, the Utah Hockey Club is on the cusp of officially selecting its long-awaited permanent nickname. The franchise, after careful deliberation and fan involvement, has narrowed the options to three finalists - "Outlaws," "Mammoth," and simply the "Utah Hockey Club". The fan vote to determine the winning name took place from January 29 to February 4, 2025, allowing loyal supporters to play a significant role in this key milestone.

The Utah Hockey Club's initial attempt to trademark the nickname "Utah Yeti" faced obstacles due to potential conflicts with Yeti Coolers LLC, leading ownership to pursue alternative branding. Notably, Utye, LLC, which initially filed for the Yeti trademark, has since secured extensions for "Utah Mammoth" and the "Utah Hockey Club" name, as confirmed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Conversely, the "Outlaws" did not receive the same level of support and has not been granted any trademark extensions.

Mike Maughan, executive at the Smith Entertainment Group, emphasized the franchise’s commitment to fan engagement, articulately stating, “Hockey is a community asset. They [owners Ryan and Ashley Smith] wanted to do something that's never been done in the history of professional sports, which is invite fans to be part of this incredibly iterative and exciting process to help pick a name.” The priority placed on fan feedback not only symbolizes their investment but also honors the time-honored tradition of community foundations within sports.

During the voting period, fans made their preferences known through both online platforms and booths set up at home games. The Utah Hockey Club, originally formed as a new franchise but retaining the assets of the former Arizona Coyotes, began this name selection process by presenting over 20 options for the community to engage with. After careful discussions and preliminary votes, the decision was whittled down to the final three options. The sense of ownership felt by the fans is reflective of the broader ethos the franchise aims to cultivate.

The excitement surrounding the potential names is palpable. While "Mammoth" stands out as the favorite and has shown progress within the federal patenting process, the Utah Hockey Club remains cautious about confirming anything before the announcement. Chris Armstrong, president of hockey operations, stated, “We continue to work through our naming process and remain on track to announce the team name ahead of the 2025-26 season. Every day we get closer but not there yet.” This careful approach reaffirms the organization’s reverence for the importance of the name to the fanbase.

Interestingly, there has been widespread speculation about how the name will resonate within the local culture and sports history. Despite the initial push for the "Utah Yeti," it has been confirmed by sources, including KSL News, which reported on March 17, 2025, the anticipated dominance of the "Mammoth" name. U.S. Patent Office documents note its trademark application was granted extension shortly after the conclusion of the fan voting.

Meanwhile, the team's efforts to align themselves with local traditions took another twist. Due to trademark complications, they have decided to replace the popular “Yeti” name with “Wasatch,” which honors the regional mountains and incorporates the spirit of Utah’s mythical lore without infringing on existing trademarks. Maughan noted, “We’ve replaced the name Yeti with Wasatch. It still allows us to honor the mythical snow creature idea from [Yeti] with a distinctly Utah appeal.” This pivot demonstrates the franchise's willingness to adapt and find creative solutions to challenges posed by the trademark process.

The developments surrounding the nickname coincide with the team’s recent performance on the ice, where they aim to establish themselves as contenders within the competitive NHL environment. Currently, as the season approaches its end, the team finds itself teetering on the edge of playoff contention. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the culmination of the season will align with the announcement of their new identity.

While the Utah Hockey Club players prepare for their next matchup against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place, the question remains: will "Mammoth" be the name they rally under come next season? The decision will carry weight, representing not only the team but also the community's aspirations and emotions tied to this nascent franchise.

Though anticipation builds, the organization urges fans to remain patient, promising transparency throughout the naming process. “At the end of the day, this name must resonate with our community,” Armstrong reiterated. Fans and sports enthusiasts alike are encouraged to stay tuned as the Utah Hockey Club prepares to make its mark not just on the rink, but also through the embodiment of its new name.

The naming saga of the Utah Hockey Club showcases the power of community and the pride involved as the franchise seeks to define its identity. With echoes of excitement surrounding the potential name selection, the state of Utah stands ready to adopt its first NHL team but under the banner of unity and tradition.