SALT LAKE CITY — The one thing on the minds of all Utah hockey fans these days... perhaps the only thing... is what will the state's new NHL team be called when the puck is dropped later this year.
As of Monday, the following seven names had been trademarked and appear to be the early frontrunners:
- Utah HC
- Utah Hockey Club
- Utah Blizzard
- Utah Fury
- Utah Outlaws
- Utah Venom
- Utah Yetis
During an appearance on the The Pat McAfee Show Monday, team owner Ryan Smith said the franchise will hold a bracket-style competition to allow fans to vote on the team's name. However, Smith did not offer any details on when and how the competition would unfold.
While no one knows exactly what the final choice will be, when it comes to predicting the future, Las Vegas seems to always have the inside scoop. In fact, odds on the Utah team's name have now been put on betting boards, thanks to Bookies.com.
Right now, the Utah Blizzard is the betting favorite at +275, meaning if someone bet $100, they'd win $275. The Venom is right behind at +300, with Fury in third at +500.
- Utah Blizzard: +275
- Utah Venom: +300
- Utah Fury: +500
- Utah Yetis: +700
- Utah Black Diamonds: +1500
- Utah Shredders: +2000
- Utah Stingers: +2500
- Utah HC: +2500
- Utah Hockey Club: +3000
- Utah Golden Eagles: +3000
- Field: +600
One thing is for sure and can be written in stone, Smith has already said the team will be called Utah to include the entire state, and not Salt Lake City.
Perhaps fans will get more insight into the new name when the team holds a free party at the Delta Center where the players and coaches will be introduced.
