Smith Entertainment Group has officially unveiled the top six potential names for the NHL team in Utah, based on the findings of a recent survey conducted by Deseret News and Hinckley Institute of Politics. The poll, which involved 889 Utah residents and took place from June 4 to June 7, aimed to identify the most favoured names for the new hockey team. Blizzard, Yeti, and Outlaws emerged as the top three names in the poll, securing 25%, 20%, and 15% of the votes, respectively.
These three names were subsequently confirmed as part of the final six names revealed by the Smith Entertainment Group, as they collectively garnered 60% of the votes in a separate poll conducted by the company. The remaining three names in the top six are Mammoth, Venom, and Utah Hockey Club (or Utah HC), despite receiving less support in the Deseret News Poll. Venom, Mammoth, and Utah HC received 9%, 6%, and 3% of the votes, respectively, ranking the lowest among the 20 viable options.
According to the poll results, the top six preferred names for the team in Utah are Mountaineers, Fury, and Black Diamonds. Additionally, the data indicates that public opinion on the potential names is split across various demographic categories, including political affiliation, religion, age, and gender.
A recent news conference announcing the acquisition and relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Utah was attended by prominent political figures, religious leaders, and education heads, underscoring the widespread backing for the new team. The findings of the survey indicated that the top two names, Blizzard and Yeti, enjoyed popularity across political divides. Both Democrats and Republicans ranked Blizzard as their top choice, although with a slightly higher preference among Republicans. Yeti emerged as the second choice among Republicans, while Democrats favoured Mountaineers.
The names garnered varying levels of support across different religious groups, with Yeti holding a marginal advantage among Latter-day Saints and a reverse preference among Christians and other religious denominations. Additionally, agnostics and atheists favoured outlaws and mountaineers. On the other hand, liberals ranked Yeti the highest, while conservatives and moderates expressed a preference for Blizzard.
In terms of age and gender, the survey revealed that younger participants were divided in their preference between Blizzard and Yeti, while those aged 35 and above favoured Blizzard. Both men and women expressed a preference for Blizzard, with Yeti emerging as the second choice for both groups.
Looking ahead, the Smith Entertainment Group has announced a second round of voting, which will continue until June 20th. The chosen team name will come into effect for the 2025-26 NHL season. Following the decision on the team name, SEG and Doubleday & Cartwright will collaborate on the branding elements for the team, including the logo and mascot. Although the initial list from Deseret News included additional names such as Black Diamonds, Outlaws, and Mammoth, the final six names are still subject to a public vote.
Ultimately, the decision on the team’s name rests with the fans. As Utah eagerly anticipates its inaugural NHL season in 2024-25, the selected name will not only represent the team but also the unwavering dedication of its fanbase.