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Utah NHL Team Files Trademarks for Mammoth, Ice, Yetis, More Possible Nicknames

Adam Wells

As the NHL prepares for the Arizona Coyotes' relocation to Utah for the 2024-25 season, the franchise is narrowing its options for a new nickname.

Per Ryan Miller of KSL.com, Utye LLC has filed trademark applications for eight different names including Mammoth, Ice, Yetis, Venom, Fury, Blizzard and Outlaws.

The NHL cleared the way for the Coyotes' move on April 18 when the league's board of governors unanimously voted to approve the $1.2 billion sale of the franchise to Utah Jazz governors Ryan and Ashley Smith.

As part of the board of governors vote, there's a provision for Arizona to get an expansion franchise if a new arena is built within the next five years.

Utah lawmakers voted in March to approve a bill that allows for a new arena to be built in downtown Salt Lake City for the Jazz and incoming NHL franchise.

The move comes after the Smith Entertainment Group requested the initiation of an expansion process to bring an NHL franchise to Utah in January. The group said it will use the Delta Center, home of the Jazz, as a temporary arena for the hockey club.

The Coyotes have spent the past two seasons playing home games at Mullett Arena. The 5,000-seat arena is the home of several Arizona State sports teams, including the men's and women's hockey clubs.

Arizona's move from Gila River Arena to Mullett Arena came as the franchise was trying to secure funding for a new arena in the state. Residents in Tempe voted against a measure to approve a $2.1 billion entertainment district project that would have included a new stadium, music venue, hotels, various retail shops and restaurants.

The Coyotes have been based in Arizona since the 1996-97 season after relocating from Winnipeg when they were known as the Jets.

This will mark the first time Utah has been home to an NHL franchise. The state has been home to the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL since 2005.

   

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