By Hailey Salvian, Shayna Goldman and Sean Gentille
We've waited greater than a yr for correct nicknames and logos for the PWHL, and now that now we have them because of Monday's official unveiling, we're not going to waste any more time.
Which of the six latest combos – Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montréal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres – is our No. 1? How do the others fare?
GO DEEPER
PWHL unveils team names and logos: “We couldn’t be happier”
Hailey Salvian, Shayna Goldman and Sean Gentille teamed up for the ultimate rankings.
1. Montreal victory
Shayna: Everything about Montreal's look and branding just matches. Victoire just seems fresh in comparison with other names which were related to Montreal hockey up to now (and really today). It's also something that works for each French and English speakers. The maroon of the colour scheme works great enough to match the energy that the name brings, and using cream over white adds a classic touch. The navy blue completes the look and accentuates the emblem. I actually have minor quibbles here and there in regards to the other teams, so the name and logo combination is a transparent #1 pick for me.
Hailey: I used to be surprised how much I liked Montreal, as I wish the league would return to the Les Canadiennes of the CWHL era. Regardless, Montreal has the very best name and logo combination, which is why I prefer New York and Toronto. In particular, Montreal's logo with the fleur-de-lis and hidden M further down is more detailed. “Victoire” can also be only a cool name for a team with the very best player within the history of ladies's soccer.
Sean: I almost feel bad having them at number 3. Shayna and Hailey are right about all the things. I actually appreciate the freshness of the package – if this one isn't groundbreaking, it's pretty close. Plus, the emblem looks like a diamond! No one else said that!
2. Toronto Scepter
Hailey: If you had asked me directly after the PWHL announcement, I probably would have ranked “Sceptres” lower than No. 3 and possibly I used to be only a picky local because I can see the Coca-Cola Coliseum from my apartment. But Toronto's logo could be my favorite of the six and I just like the name increasingly more – at the very least it's unique. The colours look great and I believe a team like Toronto – with fans who dressed up as spoons and nurses last season – could have quite a lot of fun with it. Sarah Nurse literally has a brand with the motto “Queen Energy Only.”
Shayna: A transparent yes to the emblem and the colour scheme. The name is just… I would like a while for it. The Toronto teaser tweeted got here out recently, made me think that “Royals” or “Monarchs” was the approach to go, and I believe either would have worked. Sceptres isn't a foul name, and it's unique for a sports team, it's just not as easy to pronounce.
Sean: I didn't just like the nickname at first – well, in no way – but I grew to prefer it pretty quickly… if we're grading on a curve. I'm not a fan of a monarchy; Canadian money bothers me for that reason. Still, points for creativity, the originality of a mix of navy blue, light blue and gold, and the very best logo of all. It will sell well with Taylor Swift fans.
Hailey: I hadn't considered that. Sean could be the largest Swiftie of the bunch!
3. New York Sirens
Sean: I'm a tough guy to please on the subject of team names. I don't like catch-all terms (e.g. “Kraken”), but I'm not on the lookout for more Panthers or Vikings, either. It's slightly sweet spot, and no one hits it more directly than the Sirens. The logo isn't my favorite — something in regards to the way the wordmark bisects the Y — but I believe it is going to stand out as a central crest.
The major reason they're at the highest for me: I don't think there's a more fitting name and logo combination. “Sirens” is a nod to hockey, yes, but additionally to the Long Island Sound, and I proceed to like that shade of teal, especially when paired with the New York Liberty and Gotham FC. It's the full package.
Hailey: I used to be Team New York Sirens until I jumped on the Montreal bandwagon on the last minute. I believe the Sirens name is my favorite, however the Montreal logo was the deciding think about my rankings. The colours are great and the synergy with women's sports within the tri-state area is a pleasant touch. This team also has quite a lot of potential for in-arena activations. Can we get an enormous Siren?
Shayna: I absolutely love that New York is moving toward teal to remain consistent with Liberty and Gotham FC. But the name is a no-no for me. I realize it's probably a water reference, but my first thought was, “We get it, New York is loud and has a lot of sirens.” I'd actually prefer the sound, which was certainly one of those original trademarks that leaked out last yr. That made sense for a team that shuttled between New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. As for the emblem, remember the Superman-S you most likely drew in your notebook in middle school? This seems like a jazzed-up version of that.
4. Boston Fleet
Sean: I had a reasonably clear top 3 and bottom 3 – half the brands appear to be betting on one and half on the opposite – and Boston was the very best of the latter group, largely resulting from the emblem. It helps that the letter “B” looks so very similar to a fish hook, but credit where credit is due. Looking sideways, I also spot slightly nod to the Hartford Whalers. Am I projecting? Maybe. In any case, it's advantageous. A bit unimaginative, but advantageous. As for the name, I don't like “Fleet,” but I also prefer it lower than the opposite (English) catchalls.
Hailey: Boston could also be a step below Montreal, New York and Toronto, but to me it's also the very best of the remaining. The logo is much superior to Ottawa and Minnesota – the small print within the B and the anchor shape – although I just like the name “Charge” higher than “Fleet”. I can't imagine it's easy to develop a sports brand in a city with the Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics, but this can be a nice start.
Shayna: Boston can have certainly one of the best logos here, which really boosts its rating. The anchor-like B is just so sharp. If that W is an intentional nod to the Whalers, I prefer it much more as a approach to have a good time New England hockey within the post-Connecticut Whales era. The name annoyed me at first, but it surely's not that bad. It's a pleasant nod to Boston's history and its role as a significant seaport.
5. Minnesota Frost
Shayna: I used to be really hoping for “Reign” here, with the purple scheme as a nod to Prince, but that's not a foul direction. “Minnesota Frost” is truthfully a reasonably wicked name that makes quite a lot of sense for a hockey team without being too cheesy and literal. The reason they're not ranked higher isn't because the opposite teams are all so incredible that it was a strategy of elimination. The logo is just underwhelming and drags your complete branding down. The “F” is a promising start, but feels so incomplete.
Sean: This one feels more like a template for making a team than the others. I assume the negative space creates a mountain, which is… something. Points for Lila.
Hailey: More than the opposite teams, Minnesota seems like a victim of the legal process on the subject of naming sports teams in 2024. The Ontario Reign already exists within the AHL, and the league obviously wanted latest names that it could fully own. Frankly, I just like the Frost — or any of the names, for that matter — and I like the colours, but I can't stop desirous about the F being on a cartoon superhero. I assumed it was Frozone, but he doesn't wear purple.
6. Ottawa Attack
Shayna: Ottawa may be very mediocre to me. I believe the more I take a look at it, the more flaws I find. The color scheme doesn't reinvent the wheel, but red-yellow-white is shiny and attention-grabbing on the ice, which I appreciate. But I agree with what Sean said earlier about catch-all terms for team names. And the emblem (plus the colour scheme) is a duplicate of the Calgary Flames. I like the Flames look and logo, in order that's not necessarily a foul thing. It's just not my favorite!
Hailey: Honestly, I don't have strong feelings about Ottawa: the name matches well enough for me and the emblem is advantageous. The whole Electric Charge vibe would have been cool if Daryl Watts was still on the team. Too soon! I'm sorry!
Sean: “Go Charge Go” goes to be an important arena chant, but the remaining of it looks way too very similar to a software company logo from, say, 1997 for my liking. Sorry.
image credit : www.nytimes.com
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