On April 18 2024, the National Hockey League (NHL) officially approved the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City, marking a historic day for sports in Utah. The team hit the ice for the first time as “Utah Hockey Club” in a sold out preseason game at the Delta Center. Over 11,000 fans packed the arena setting the tone for an exciting new hockey era in our state. Now, midway through their inaugural season, the team has already made its mark on Utah’s sports, but there’s one major detail still up for debate: the name. Since the relocation, the franchise has temporarily taken on the name of “Utah Hockey Club”.
From the moment the relocation was announced, fans speculated about what Utah’s first NHL team would be named. The franchise’s ownership group made it clear that the community would play a major role in the decision. In June 2024, the team launched its first round of fan voting, narrowing down a list of 20 potential names to six finalists: Utah Blizzard, Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, Utah Venom, Utah Yeti, and Utah Hockey Club.
As fan favorite names gained traction, “Utah Yeti” quickly emerged as a top contender. However, the team’s trademark request was denied due to its similarity to the well known cooler brand, preventing them from using a Yeti themed logo or merchandise. The Salt Lake Tribune reported, “The United States Patent and Trademark Office rejected six of the names the team filed under intent-to-use applications back in April. Notably, that list includes the Utah Yeti and Yetis, which is known as a fan —and organization— favorite.”
With these setbacks, the franchise was forced to adjust. On January 31, 2025, the team announced a new shortlist of three options: Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, and Utah Hockey Club. With these options the team has continued to involve fans in the naming process by allowing in person voting at home games that started January 29, 2025. Attendees at the Delta Center have been able to cast votes at stations giving them a sneak peak at potential logos.
The franchise has yet to announce a definitive timeline for revealing the official name, but with the 2025-26 NHL season approaching an announcement is expected in the coming months. Utah’s hockey fans eagerly await the final decision, whether they take the ice as Mammoth, Outlaws, or remain the Utah Hockey Club, excitement continues to grow for the team’s future in Salt Lake City. With the competitive inaugural season underway, Utah is eager to see what is to come for our very own hockey team.
