Rating PWHL group names and logos: Which of the six new combos is our No. 1?

By Hailey Salvian, Shayna Goldman and Sean Gentille

We waited greater than a 12 months for correct PWHL nicknames and logos. Now that we’ve 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 remaining measure up?

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 recent relative to different names related to Montreal hockey previously (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 power that the identify 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 identify and emblem makes this a straightforward No. 1 for me.

Hailey: I used to be stunned at how a lot I preferred Montreal, contemplating I needed the league to return to Les Canadiennes from the CWHL days. Regardless, Montreal has the very best mixture of identify 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 also be only a cool identify to have for a group with essentially the most clutch participant within the historical past of the ladies’s recreation.

Sean: I virtually really feel unhealthy having them at No. 3. Shayna and Hailey are appropriate 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 seems like a diamond! No one else mentioned that!

2. Toronto Sceptres

Hailey rank: 3
Sean rank: 2
Shayna rank: 2

Hailey: Should you requested me instantly after the PWHL announcement, I’d in all probability have “Sceptres” decrease than No. 3 and possibly I used to be simply being a choosy native as a result of I can see Coca-Cola Coliseum from my house. However Toronto’s emblem may be my favourite of the six and the identify is basically rising on me – if nothing else it’s definitely distinctive. The colours look nice, and I do suppose a group like Toronto – with followers who dressed up as spoons and nurses final season – might have numerous enjoyable with this. Sarah Nurse actually has a model with the motto “Queen Vitality Solely.”

Shayna: Completely sure to the emblem and to the colour scheme. The identify simply … I would like a while with this one. The Toronto teaser tweeted out the opposite day made me suppose “Royals” or “Monarchs” was the path right here, and I feel both of these would have slapped. Sceptres isn’t a foul identify and it’s distinctive to a sports activities group, 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 the very best emblem of the bunch. It’ll promote effectively 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 onerous to please in terms of group names. I don’t like collective nouns (i.e., “Kraken”), however I’m additionally not searching for extra Panthers or Vikings. That’s a small candy spot, and no one hit it extra straight than the Sirens. The brand 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 principle purpose I’ve them in my high spot: I don’t suppose 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 Staff New York Sirens till my last-minute swerve to the Montreal bandwagon. I feel the identify 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 group 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 in line with the Liberty and Gotham FC. However the identify is a no from me. I do know it’s in all probability a reference to the water, however my rapid thought was: “We get it, New York’s loud with numerous sirens.” I really would like the Sound, which was a type of authentic emblems leaked final 12 months. That made sense for a group that bounced amongst New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. As for the emblem – keep in mind the Superman S you in all probability sketched in your pocket book in center faculty? This seems like a dressed-up model of that.

4. Boston Fleet

Hailey rank: 4
Sean rank: 4
Shayna rank: 3

Sean: I had a reasonably outlined high three and backside three — half the manufacturers appear to be going for one factor, and half one other — and Boston was the very best of the second batch primarily based largely on the emblem. It helps that the letter ‘B’ seems a lot like a fishhook, however credit score the place it’s due. I additionally spy a little bit of a Hartford Whalers reference, for those who look from the aspect. Is that me projecting? Maybe. In any case, it’s high-quality. A bit uninspired, however high-quality. As for the identify, I don’t like “Fleet,” however I additionally dislike it lower than the opposite (Anglo) collective nouns.

Hailey: Whereas Boston is a tier under Montreal, New York and Toronto, it’s additionally the very best of the remaining for me. The brand is much superior to Ottawa and Minnesota – the small print contained in the B and the anchor form – although I just like the “Cost” identify greater than “Fleet.” I can’t think about it’s straightforward growing a sports activities model in a metropolis with the Purple Sox, Bruins and Celtics, however this can be a good entry.

Shayna: Boston could 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 approach to rejoice New England hockey within the post-Connecticut Whale period. The identify I used to be initially bitter on, but it surely’s not that unhealthy. It’s a pleasant nod to Boston’s historical past and general 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 foul path. The Minnesota Frost is truthfully a reasonably sick identify that makes numerous sense for a hockey group 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 unimaginable that it was a means of elimination. The brand simply falls brief 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 unfavourable house creates a mountain, which … it’s one thing. Factors for purple.

Hailey: Greater than the opposite groups, Minnesota seems like a sufferer to the authorized course of in terms of naming sports activities groups in 2024. The Ontario Reign exist already within the AHL, and the league clearly needed new names it might totally personal. I truthfully don’t dislike the Frost – or any of the names for that matter – and I like the colours, however I can’t cease occupied with the F being on a cartoon superhero. I assumed it was Frozone, however he doesn’t put on purple.

6. Ottawa Cost

Hailey rank: 6
Sean rank: 6
Shayna rank: 4

Shayna: Ottawa may 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 vivid and attention-grabbing on the ice which I can respect. However I second what Sean mentioned earlier on collective nouns for group 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 foul factor. It simply isn’t my favourite!

Hailey: I truthfully don’t have robust emotions about Ottawa: The identify works effectively sufficient for me, and the emblem is ok. The entire electrical cost vibe would have been cool if Daryl Watts was nonetheless on the group. Too quickly! I’m sorry!

Sean: “Go Cost Go” goes to be an important area chant, however the remainder of it seems means too near a software program firm emblem from, like, 1997 for my style. Sorry.

(Photos courtesy of PWHL)