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NHL Team Name Origins: Eastern Conference

By Alyssa Naimoli

Feb 7, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; The NHL logo on the back of a Colorado Avalanche helmet in a game against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; The NHL logo on the back of a Colorado Avalanche helmet in a game against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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columbus blue jackets
NHL Team Name Origins: Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella looks on from the bench against the San Jose Sharks in the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Patriotic Origins for Columbus

Back in 1997, Columbus gave Ohio the opportunity to help name the team through a questionnaire. The future team was asking the citizens of Ohio what they believed Ohio stood for. After looking through thousands of entries, Columbus learned that many people stood behind the names Blue Jackets and Justice.

The name ‘Blue Jackets’ stuck with the Columbus franchise because of how interesting and intriguing the name was; the nickname was loaded with Ohio history and pride.

The term ‘Blue Jackets’ refers to the blue coats worn by the Union Army during the Civil War. Ohio contributed the most of all states to the Union Army by sending the most soldiers and manufacturing the army’s blue coats locally in Columbus.

Thus, the Columbus Blue Jackets were born. From the moment Columbus received their team name, they began crafting the perfect franchise to show state pride and patriotism.

Nov 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Andreas Athanasiou (72) celebrates his goal against Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Andreas Athanasiou (72) celebrates his goal against Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Just Like The Winged-Wheelers

James Norris purchased the Detroit Falcons in 1932 and decided a name-change was in order. Norris looked to his past to find just the right name for his new team.

Norris decided on the “Red Wings” in homage to the Montreal Hockey Club he once played for, the Winged-Wheelers. The Red Wings logo would then be a winged wheel in honor of Detroit’s emerging automobile industry.

The Detroit Red Wings were finally introduced. The new name was perfectly symbolic of a speedy and solid team.

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