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Ryan Smith shares potential names for Utah's NHL franchise
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    Ryan Smith shares potential names for Utah’s NHL franchise

    It appears the search for the NHL’s Utah franchise name is down to four.

    Owner Ryan Smith made a surprise appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN Wednesday to give a quick update on the progress and to share some of the favourites.

    “We’ve got our four,” said Smith. “I think Mammoth is up there. Yeti is up there. I think a couple of other ones are up there. It should be good.”

    Smith, co-founder of the survey company Qualtrics, released a survey asking fans to weight in on possible names. The survey included 20 options and asked fans to choose up to four.

    The team will wear jerseys that display “UTAH” for its inaugural season, adopting its eventual name for a sophomore year.

    Below is the full list of the potential names (all preceded by Utah):

    Canyons
    Fury
    Mountaineers
    Yeti
    Mammoth
    Blizzard
    Swarm
    Powder
    Glaciers
    Caribou
    Blast
    HC (Hockey Club)
    Frost
    Freeze
    Outlaws
    Venom
    Squall
    Black Diamonds
    Ice
    Hive

    Per Smith Entertainment Group, the development of a logo, mascot, team colours and other branding elements will happen after a name is chosen.

    McAfee initially called Smith to show off the Stanley Cup in the show’s studio, and the Utah owner couldn’t help but show his excitement suggesting his team would one day contend for it.

    “We’re going to fill that thing full of diet Mountain Dew and all sorts of stuff,” Smith said.

    The NHL Board of Governors officially approved the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah on April 13. The Coyotes played their final game at Mullett Arena on April 12.

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    Utah owner Ryan Smith divulges name and uniform plans

    Ryan Smith, a prominent figure in the sports world, recently shared some potential names for Utah’s upcoming NHL franchise. With the team set to make its debut in the 2022-2023 season, fans are eagerly anticipating the announcement of the official team name.

    Smith, who is known for his keen eye for branding and marketing, has been working closely with the team’s ownership group to come up with a name that will resonate with fans and represent the state of Utah. Some of the names that Smith has suggested include the Utah Pioneers, the Salt Lake City Spires, and the Rocky Mountain Rovers.

    Each of these names pays homage to the rich history and culture of Utah, while also capturing the spirit of the team and its fan base. The Utah Pioneers, for example, celebrates the state’s history of exploration and settlement, while the Salt Lake City Spires references the iconic rock formations that can be found throughout the state.

    The Rocky Mountain Rovers, on the other hand, speaks to the team’s adventurous and competitive nature, as well as its commitment to representing the entire region. Smith believes that any of these names would be a strong choice for the new franchise and is excited to see how fans react to them.

    While nothing has been set in stone yet, Smith’s suggestions have sparked a lot of excitement and speculation among fans. Many are already debating which name they prefer and are eagerly awaiting the official announcement from the team.

    In the meantime, Smith continues to work closely with the ownership group to finalize the team’s branding and marketing strategy. With his expertise and creativity, there is no doubt that Utah’s NHL franchise will make a splash when it finally hits the ice in 2022.