Nhl Hockey Team Names And Logos
Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and it's no surprise that the National Hockey League (NHL) is one of the most viewed sports leagues in the country. With its 31 teams, the NHL is one of the most diverse sports leagues in terms of team names and logos. In this article, we will take a dive into the NHL hockey team names and logos and what they represent.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division consists of eight teams, including the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Boston Bruins were named after a fierce animal, the brown bear, which is found in the forests of New England. Similarly, the Detroit Red Wings were named after the team's original logo, a red wheel with wings that represented the city's automotive heritage. The Florida Panthers were named after the endangered Florida panther, which is indigenous to the area.
The Montreal Canadiens are one of the oldest NHL teams and have been around since 1909. They were named after the French Canadians who lived in the city at the time. The Ottawa Senators are named after a Canadian government body, while the Tampa Bay Lightning were named after the frequent lightning strikes in the area. The Toronto Maple Leafs were originally known as the Toronto Arenas but changed their name to the Maple Leafs in 1927.
Metropolitan Division
The Metropolitan Division consists of eight teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals.
The Carolina Hurricanes are named after the hurricane that devastated the area in 1989, while the Columbus Blue Jackets were named after the blue jackets worn by the Union soldiers during the Civil War. The New Jersey Devils were named after the Jersey Devil, a legendary creature said to inhabit the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.
The New York Islanders were named after the fact that Long Island is an island, while the New York Rangers were named after the team's founder, Tex Rickard, who owned a group of cowboys called the Texas Rangers. The Philadelphia Flyers were named after the Wright Brothers' first successful airplane flight, which took place in Philadelphia, while the Pittsburgh Penguins were named after a contest held in the city to name the team.
The Washington Capitals were named after the city's status as the nation's capital.
Western Conference
Central Division
The Central Division consists of seven teams, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, and Winnipeg Jets.
The Chicago Blackhawks were named after a real-life Native American chief who was a member of the tribe that originally inhabited the area, while the Colorado Avalanche were named after an avalanche that took place in the area. The Dallas Stars were originally based in Minnesota and were named after the state's nickname, the "star of the north."
The Minnesota Wild were named after the state's "Land of 10,000 Lakes" slogan. The Nashville Predators were named after the saber-toothed cat skull that is displayed at the city's museum, while the St. Louis Blues were named after the famous W.C. Handy song "Saint Louis Blues."
The Winnipeg Jets were originally based in Atlanta and were named after the city's history as a major hub for air travel.
Pacific Division
The Pacific Division consists of eight teams, including the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, and Vancouver Canucks.
The Anaheim Ducks were named after the Disney movie "Mighty Ducks," while the Arizona Coyotes were named after the coyotes that are indigenous to the area. The Calgary Flames were originally based in Atlanta and were named after the city's history of major fires.
The Edmonton Oilers were named after the city's history as a major oil producer, while the Los Angeles Kings were named after the city's famous Hollywood sign. The San Jose Sharks were named after the shark attacks that took place in the area, while the Seattle Kraken were named after the mythical sea creature.
The Vancouver Canucks were originally named after the Canadian version of Johnny Canuck, a lumberjack who was a symbol of Canadian patriotism during World War II.
Overall, the NHL team names and logos represent a diverse array of cultural, historical, and geographic influences. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just a casual observer, the NHL offers a unique and exciting sports experience that is unmatched by any other league.