Winnipeg Naming discussion

[LeftCoast]

As the "TNSE attempts to acquire a franchise" thread seems to have turned into a "what to name the team" thread. Let's split that disucussion to this thread and keep the TNSE thread for stuff related to sale, relocation, viability of the market, Gary Bettman's IQ , and other related subjects.

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[Dupree13]

The only reason that I supported a team moving to Winnipeg (or Quebec for that matter) was for recapturing the nostalgia of the NHL of my early youth. It's the same reason I support old school logos and jerseys. If they don't call them the Jets it would defeat that whole purpose, and therefore I cannot support this move if they aren't going to be the Jets.

 

[Huffer]

I think it would be an epic fail for TNSE to continue to use the Moose name. Trying to justify keeping the name because you have spent money to this point on it is wrong. If TNSE gets an NHL team, the money spent on marketing the Moose should be looked at as a "sunk cost". Why you would want a constant reminder of when you had to settle for the minors is crazy to me.

Either go with Jets to make almost everyone happy and become even more hero like in the city, go with Falcons to honor a "real" legacy and not a minor league one, or go in an entirely different direction.

 

[Brodie]

There's a lot wrong with the name "Manitoba Moose". For one, it's alliterative which is always terrible. "Moose" isn't plural, another major no-no. No offense to anyone, but the name Manitoba doesn't have the ring to it that Winnipeg does.

 

[LeftCoast]

The only reason that I supported a team moving to Winnipeg (or Quebec for that matter) was for recapturing the nostalgia of the NHL of my early youth. It's the same reason I support old school logos and jerseys. If they don't call them the Jets it would defeat that whole purpose, and therefore I cannot support this move if they aren't going to be the Jets.

That seems kind of silly.

Why not move them to Cleveland and call them the Barrons or to Kansas City and call them the Scouts? Nostalgia is fine, but should we rename the the Avalanche and Sharks to the Rockies and Seals?

Personally, I wonder if there is Provincial money involved in the TNSE financing. If the Province of Manitoba has some skin in the game, they may be pressing for the team to be a Manitoba team rather than a Winnipeg team. The other obvious thing is that the team names are mostly a local impact. While Manitoba Moose doesn't resonate very well outside of Manitoba, TNSE has undoubtedly invested a fair amount in the local branding and promotion of the Moose.

Hey - and maybe some Americans hockey fans will have to learn the name of another Canadian province. I aways get a kick out of the way many Americans pronounce Saskatchewan - it's kind of like the way Canadians pronounce Louisiana where we tend to hit every syllable equally hard. Most Canadians pronounce Saskatchewan sort of like s-sKATch'wan and (I believe) Louisiana is pronounced like LOOsiana.

 

[Jesus Christ Horburn]

I'm hoping for the Winnipeg Falcons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg_Falcons

Aside from the historical significance, there is already a huge tribute to the team at the MTS Center:

 

[Dupree13]

Why not move them to Cleveland and call them the Barrons or to Kansas City and call them the Scouts? Nostalgia is fine, but should we rename the the Avalanche and Sharks to the Rockies and Seals?

And the Wild the North Stars. Absolutely.

 

[Doug Smail]

Jay Onrait on TSN 15 mins ago. "I have good news and bad news for wpg fans. The bad news is that any future NHL team will NOT be called the Jets...which is THE SINGLE DUMBEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD!"

hahahaha....I agree, but what can you do?!

 

[MoreOrr]

I'm hoping for the Winnipeg Falcons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg_Falcons

Aside from the historical significance, there is already a huge tribute to the team at the MTS Center:

NO!

I couldn't bear that. I won't explain my reasons.

I say, the Winnipeg Lakers.

That's perfect.

Hell, if they're going to use a sports name that's already used by another major league sports team (Jets, Falcons), might as well choose one that's appropriate.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I just hope they pick something solid and respectable, with staying power. Clearly I'm biased on this account, but "Hurricanes" is the only new name I've liked since '93.

Jets would be ideal, Falcons would be excellent as well. NO to the Moose.

"Moose" isn't plural, another major no-no.

Actually "moose" is the plural of "moose", similar to "deer" or "sheep". Not that it makes the name any better for an NHL team.

 

[AllByDesign]

There's a lot wrong with the name "Manitoba Moose". For one, it's alliterative which is always terrible. "Moose" isn't plural, another major no-no. No offense to anyone, but the name Manitoba doesn't have the ring to it that Winnipeg does.

The plural of Moose is... Moose.

TNSE has invested a lot into the logo, brand, marketing. While using the "Jets" name would also be cost effective, there is logic in using the brand that TNSE currently works with.

I can understand the dissapointment that locals would feel if the "Jets" were not used in the event a team moves back to Winnipeg. I still feel this thread is putting the cart before the horse.

 

[GordonGraham]

I dont really care about the name but i sure hope its not the Jets, Falcons or Moose sounds great

 

[Cornwall OHL]

Winnipeg Warriors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg_Warriors_(minor_pro)

 

[Evil Doctor]

That seems kind of silly.

Why not move them to Cleveland and call them the Barrons or to Kansas City and call them the Scouts? Nostalgia is fine, but should we rename the the Avalanche and Sharks to the Rockies and Seals?

Well duh...

As nicknames go, Rockies is head and shoulders above Avalanche (and they had a better logo too).

With Seals, well in a league with Penguins and Ducks, it only makes sense to add another lame animal name to keep them company....

Hey - and maybe some Americans hockey fans will have to learn the name of another Canadian province. I aways get a kick out of the way many Americans pronounce Saskatchewan - it's kind of like the way Canadians pronounce Louisiana where we tend to hit every syllable equally hard. Most Canadians pronounce Saskatchewan sort of like s-sKATch'wan and (I believe) Louisiana is pronounced like LOOsiana.

And remember, the second 'T' in Toronto is silent, and the third 'O' is always pronounced like a short 'A'. Canadian pronunciation rules...

 

[cutchemist42]

I really do not want the Moose for a few reasons.

-As a Winnipegger who spends alot of summers out at the lake, I associate Manitoba wildlife with other animals beside the moose.

-Moose was just another throw-away, cheesy minor league team name that probably had more to do with Minnesota wildlife

-The Moose name is just a borrowed name as well.

-Current Moose colours suck


I understand that with this team being the Thrashers, TNSE would have to pay for the Jets name likely. I personally would any extra amount on my ticket if I knew that extra amount was paying for the Jets' rights. However, if TNSE is so butthurt about people not liking their Moose name and holding onto the past (Jets), I could warm up to a new name involving history. Something like the Falcons, Arrows, and Valours would be cool. I do not want Manitoba in the name because realistically, Winnipeg is propping this team up.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Well.... now that I think about it, maybe True North can just continue the tradition set by Calgary and keep the name of the team they originally yanked from Atlanta? The Winnipeg Thrashers actually has a nice ring to it, is already the name of a midget hockey team in that area, and (while I'm not sure of the migratory habits of of birds) maybe seeing a thrasher in Winnipeg isn't unheard of.

Barring that (admittedly unlikely scenario), the Jets seems like the overwhelmingly obvious choice, given how insanely popular the brand is in Winnipeg. I guess I could get used to the Moose, but Falcons just sounds so generic to me. Someone previously mentioned the Winnipeg Warriors, and that has a nice ring to it, but I doubt that they're really that interested in reaching back to their "ancient" history for a name.

So, all told, I guess I'd prefer the Jets, but it seems like True North is already set on keeping the Moose for some reason.

 

[Buck Aki Berg]

The plural of Moose is... Moose.

You mean it's not sheep?

 

[MoreOrr]

Winnipeg Warriors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg_Warriors_(minor_pro)

That's not bad, though I still prefer Winnipeg Lakers (fits for a whole province concept).

Other options could be something creative like:
Winnipeg Wingedblades or Wingblades
Winnipeg Freeze
or
Winnipeg Wildcats

 

[cheswick]

Manitoba Voyageurs. You get the rural fans, you get the french fans. Everyone wins.

(I read somewhere that the Voyageurs were actually one of the finalists for the Minnesota Wild name. Personally think the Wild is the wrost name in the NHL.)

 

[Gump Hasek]

NO!

I couldn't bear that. I won't explain my reasons.

I say, the Winnipeg Lakers.

That's perfect.

Hell, if they're going to use a sports name that's already used by another major league sports team (Jets, Falcons), might as well choose one that's appropriate.

Uh, The Winnipeg Falcons were the first Olympic Gold Medal winners in hockey.

There are Falcon nests on a hotel located less than 1 block from MTS Centre.
http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/falcon/

How is the Falcon name NOT appropriate again?

 

[cheswick]

Winnipeg Warriors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg_Warriors_(minor_pro)

Winnipeg Warriors would never fly.

First off names based on Native origins aren't particularily accepted nowadays.

Secondly there is a gang named the Manitoba Warriors.

 

[MHX]

I personally hope they don't go with the name Moose. I like names like: Storm, Freeze, Falcons and Bulls. I like the idea of Falcons since the team is coming from Atlanta. Just seems fitting.

 

[MoreOrr]

Uh, The Winnipeg Falcons were the first Olympic Gold Medal winners in hockey.

There are Falcon nests on a hotel located less than 1 block from MTS Centre.
http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/falcon/

How is the Falcon name NOT appropriate again?

I never said "not appropriate.

 

[Evil Doctor]

The plural of Moose is... Moose.

I always alternate between Mooses and Meese...

 

[LeftCoast]

Well.... now that I think about it, maybe True North can just continue the tradition set by Calgary and keep the name of the team they originally yanked from Atlanta? The Winnipeg Thrashers actually has a nice ring to it, is already the name of a midget hockey team in that area, and (while I'm not sure of the migratory habits of of birds) maybe seeing a thrasher in Winnipeg isn't unheard of.

Barring that (admittedly unlikely scenario), the Jets seems like the overwhelmingly obvious choice, given how insanely popular the brand is in Winnipeg. I guess I could get used to the Moose, but Falcons just sounds so generic to me. Someone previously mentioned the Winnipeg Warriors, and that has a nice ring to it, but I doubt that they're really that interested in reaching back to their "ancient" history for a name.

So, all told, I guess I'd prefer the Jets, but it seems like True North is already set on keeping the Moose for some reason.

With the time constraints on the 2011-12 season, they probably only have 2 options. Keep the Thrashers logo, colors and name for 1 season and make the change next summer, or go with the Manitoba Moose because they already have the artwork and marketing materials. However - while the AHL (Moose) uses RBK Jerseys, they certainly don't appear to the the same Edge-II or pattern that the NHL uses, so a new NHL compliant RBK Moose jersey might be required.