Utah Hockey Club Mascot: Jazz Bear Takes the Ice for Inaugural Season

The Utah Hockey Club, the NHL's newest franchise, has announced that Jazz Bear, the beloved mascot of the Utah Jazz, will serve as its mascot for the inaugural 2024-25 NHL season. This decision was made due to the team's need for a temporary mascot while they finalize their long-term branding and identity.

The Utah Hockey Club was formed after the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City, Utah. The team's ownership, led by Ryan Smith, who also owns the Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake, has been working diligently to establish the team's presence in the Beehive State. Despite the temporary name and branding, the team has shown significant enthusiasm from fans, with over 11,000 season-ticket deposits sold in just four hours after going on sale.

The team's inaugural season has been marked by several key announcements. On June 13, 2024, the team revealed its temporary name, colors, and jerseys for the season. The jerseys feature a color scheme of white, black, and light blue, with an 'Inaugural Season' patch on both shoulders. The team also announced that it would be using the 'Utah' state moniker for the season, rather than Salt Lake City.

1. Temporary Mascot Decision

Given the time constraint to rebrand the team before the start of the season, the Utah Hockey Club decided to utilize Jazz Bear as its mascot. This decision was announced on social media by the team, with head coach Andre Tourigny, nicknamed 'The Bear,' welcoming Jazz Bear to the team. 'Hey Bear, it's Coach Bear,' Tourigny said. 'I'll really need your help this season. We'd like you to energize our crowd and bring the party to the arena.'

Jazz Bear's role in the Utah Hockey Club is not just ceremonial; he is expected to engage with fans and create an energetic atmosphere during games. The decision to use an existing mascot has been met with mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing excitement and others expressing disappointment that the team did not create a unique mascot for its inaugural season.

2. Fan Engagement and Name Selection

The Utah Hockey Club has been actively engaging with fans throughout the rebranding process. In May, the team launched a comprehensive survey allowing fans to vote on potential names for the team. The initial list included 20 names such as Glac, Utahmoth, Caribou, and Utah Yeti. By June 6, six names emerged as the leading choices: Utah Blizzard, Utah HC (Hockey Club), Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, Utah Venom, and Utah Yeti.

Although the survey indicated that fan input was crucial, the final decision on the team name lies with Smith Entertainment Group. The name 'Utah Hockey Club' or 'Utah HC' made it to the final voting round but is not necessarily the top contender. The title appears to belong to Utah Yeti, as franchise members have consistently referred to it, according to Deseret News reports.

3. Inaugural Season Details

The Utah Hockey Club will play its first game on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The team's captain, Clayton Keller, will lead the team into this new chapter in its history. Keller became the first-ever captain of the Utah Hockey Club just days before the team's first-ever game.

The team's inaugural season has been marked by significant milestones, including the unveiling of their jerseys and the announcement of their temporary mascot. As the season progresses, fans can expect more updates on the team's branding and identity, including the selection of a permanent mascot and logo.

In conclusion, the Utah Hockey Club's decision to use Jazz Bear as its temporary mascot reflects the team's commitment to engaging with fans and creating an energetic atmosphere during games. While the decision has been met with mixed reactions, it is clear that the team is dedicated to building a strong presence in Utah's hockey community.

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