By Hailey Salvian, Shayna Goldman and Sean Gentille
We waited greater than a yr for correct PWHL nicknames and logos. Now that we’ve got them, courtesy of Monday’s official unveiling, we’re not going to waste any extra time.
Which of the six new combos — the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montréal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Cost and Toronto Sceptres — is our No. 1? How do the remainder measure up?
GO DEEPER
PWHL unveils staff names and logos: ‘We simply couldn’t be extra thrilled’
The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian, Shayna Goldman and Sean Gentille teamed up for the definitive rating.
1. Montréal Victoire
Hailey rank: 1
Sean rank: 3
Shayna rank: 1
Shayna: Every little thing about Montreal’s look and branding simply clicks. Victoire simply feels contemporary relative to different names related to Montreal hockey up to now (and current, actually). It’s one thing that works for each French and English audio system, too. The maroon of the colour scheme feels grand sufficient to match the vitality that the title brings, and utilizing cream over white provides a basic contact. The navy completes the look and accents the emblem. I’ve nitpicks right here or there with the remainder of the groups, so the mix of the title and emblem makes this a straightforward No. 1 for me.
Hailey: I used to be shocked at how a lot I appreciated Montreal, contemplating I wished the league to return to Les Canadiennes from the CWHL days. Regardless, Montreal has one of the best mixture of title and emblem, which is why it will get the sting over New York and Toronto for me. There’s extra element to understand within the Montreal emblem particularly, with the fleur-de-lis and the hidden M towards the underside. “Victoire” can be only a cool title to have for a staff with probably the most clutch participant within the historical past of the ladies’s sport.
Sean: I virtually really feel dangerous having them at No. 3. Shayna and Hailey are right about every thing. I actually respect the freshness of the package deal — if this one isn’t groundbreaking, it’s fairly shut. Additionally, the emblem appears like a diamond! No person else mentioned that!
2. Toronto Sceptres
Hailey rank: 3
Sean rank: 2
Shayna rank: 2
Hailey: In the event you requested me instantly after the PWHL announcement, I’d in all probability have “Sceptres” decrease than No. 3 and perhaps I used to be simply being a choosy native as a result of I can see Coca-Cola Coliseum from my condominium. However Toronto’s emblem may be my favourite of the six and the title is basically rising on me – if nothing else it’s definitely distinctive. The colours look nice, and I do assume a staff like Toronto – with followers who dressed up as spoons and nurses final season – may have numerous enjoyable with this. Sarah Nurse actually has a model with the motto “Queen Power Solely.”
Shayna: Completely sure to the emblem and to the colour scheme. The title simply … I want a while with this one. The Toronto teaser tweeted out the opposite day made me assume “Royals” or “Monarchs” was the route right here, and I feel both of these would have slapped. Sceptres isn’t a nasty title and it’s distinctive to a sports activities staff, it simply doesn’t roll off the tongue but.
Sean: I didn’t just like the nickname initially — like, in any respect — but it surely grew on me fairly shortly … if we’re grading on a curve. I don’t love a monarchy; Canadian cash bothers me for that reason. Nonetheless, factors for creativity, the originality of a navy-light blue-gold combo and one of the best emblem of the bunch. It’ll promote nicely with Taylor Swift followers.
Hailey: I didn’t even take into account that. Sean may be the most important Swiftie of the group!
3. New York Sirens
Hailey rank: 2
Sean rank: 1
Shayna rank: 6
Sean: I’m arduous to please in relation to staff names. I don’t like collective nouns (i.e., “Kraken”), however I’m additionally not on the lookout for extra Panthers or Vikings. That’s a small candy spot, and no one hit it extra instantly than the Sirens. The emblem isn’t my favourite — one thing about the best way the wordmark halves the Y — however I feel it’ll pop as a middle crest.
The primary purpose I’ve them in my prime spot: I don’t assume any name-logo combo is extra cohesive. “Sirens” works as a reference to hockey, sure, but additionally Lengthy Island Sound, and I proceed to like that shade of teal, particularly in live performance with the New York Liberty and Gotham FC. It’s the whole package deal.
Hailey: I used to be Workforce New York Sirens till my last-minute swerve to the Montreal bandwagon. I feel the title Sirens is my favourite, however the Montreal emblem was the tie-breaker in my rating. The colours are nice, and the synergy with girls’s sports activities within the tri-state space is a pleasant contact. This staff has numerous potential with in-arena activations, too. Can we get an enormous siren?
Shayna: I completely love New York leaning into teal to remain according to the Liberty and Gotham FC. However the title is a no from me. I do know it’s in all probability a reference to the water, however my instant thought was: “We get it, New York’s loud with numerous sirens.” I truly would favor the Sound, which was a kind of authentic logos leaked final yr. That made sense for a staff that bounced amongst New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. As for the emblem – bear in mind the Superman S you in all probability sketched in your pocket book in center faculty? This looks like a dressed-up model of that.
4. Boston Fleet
Hailey rank: 4
Sean rank: 4
Shayna rank: 3
Sean: I had a fairly outlined prime three and backside three — half the manufacturers appear to be going for one factor, and half one other — and Boston was one of the best of the second batch primarily based largely on the emblem. It helps that the letter ‘B’ appears a lot like a fishhook, however credit score the place it’s due. I additionally spy a little bit of a Hartford Whalers reference, if you happen to look from the facet. Is that me projecting? Maybe. In any case, it’s high-quality. Just a little uninspired, however high-quality. As for the title, I don’t like “Fleet,” however I additionally dislike it lower than the opposite (Anglo) collective nouns.
Hailey: Whereas Boston is a tier beneath Montreal, New York and Toronto, it’s additionally one of the best of the remainder for me. The emblem is much superior to Ottawa and Minnesota – the main points contained in the B and the anchor form – although I just like the “Cost” title greater than “Fleet.” I can’t think about it’s simple creating a sports activities model in a metropolis with the Crimson Sox, Bruins and Celtics, however this can be a good entry.
Shayna: Boston might have one of many coolest logos right here, which actually boosts its rating. The anchor-like B is simply so sharp. If that W is an intentional reference to the Whalers, I prefer it much more as a method to have fun New England hockey within the post-Connecticut Whale period. The title I used to be initially bitter on, but it surely’s not that dangerous. It’s a pleasant nod to Boston’s historical past and total being a significant seaport.
5. Minnesota Frost
Hailey rank: 5
Sean rank: 5
Shayna rank: 5
Shayna: I used to be actually rooting for the “Reign” right here with the purple scheme as a nod to Prince, however this isn’t a nasty route. The Minnesota Frost is actually a fairly sick title that makes numerous sense for a hockey staff with out being too tacky and literal. The rationale they don’t rank increased isn’t as a result of the opposite groups are all so unbelievable that it was a technique of elimination. The emblem simply falls quick and drags all the branding down. The ‘F’ is a promising begin, however feels so incomplete.
Sean: This feels extra like a create-a-team template than any of the others. I assume the unfavorable house creates a mountain, which … it’s one thing. Factors for purple.
Hailey: Greater than the opposite groups, Minnesota looks like a sufferer to the authorized course of in relation to naming sports activities groups in 2024. The Ontario Reign exist already within the AHL, and the league clearly wished new names it may totally personal. I actually don’t dislike the Frost – or any of the names for that matter – and I really like the colours, however I can’t cease serious about the F being on a cartoon superhero. I believed it was Frozone, however he doesn’t put on purple.
6. Ottawa Cost
Hailey rank: 6
Sean rank: 6
Shayna rank: 4
Shayna: Ottawa could be very middle-of-the-road for me. I feel the extra I have a look at it, the extra I discover flaws with it. The colour scheme doesn’t reinvent the wheel, however red-yellow-white is brilliant and crowd pleasing on the ice which I can respect. However I second what Sean mentioned earlier on collective nouns for staff names. And the emblem (plus the colour scheme) is giving knock-off Calgary Flames. I do love the Flames look and emblem, so it’s not essentially a nasty factor. It simply isn’t my favourite!
Hailey: I actually don’t have sturdy emotions about Ottawa: The title works nicely sufficient for me, and the emblem is ok. The entire electrical cost vibe would have been cool if Daryl Watts was nonetheless on the staff. Too quickly! I’m sorry!
Sean: “Go Cost Go” goes to be an incredible enviornment chant, however the remainder of it appears method too near a software program firm emblem from, like, 1997 for my style. Sorry.
(Pictures courtesy of PWHL)
