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NHL Team Name Origins: Western Conference

By Alyssa Naimoli

May 11, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; General view of the T-Mobile Arena adjacent to the Las Vegas strip. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; General view of the T-Mobile Arena adjacent to the Las Vegas strip. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Team Name Origins: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench in the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Team Name Origins: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench in the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rushing Avalanche

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    • Colorado’s original team, the Colorado Rockies, relocated to New Jersey in 1982. Therefore, Colorado lost the name ‘Rockies’ and subsequently became the New Jersey Devils.

    When Colorado returned to the NHL, the name ‘Rockies’ was already taken by a Denver baseball team before the Quebec Nordiques could make it to their new home. In search of a new team name, the franchise management began going through their best ideas.

    Management was fond of the name “Extreme” but fans gave negative feedback. From there, the franchise reviewed all possible names like Black Bears, Outlaws, Wranglers, and Cougars.

    Avalanche came out on top in the end. A member of the marketing team who named the franchise later defended the name saying that hockey is a “rough and tough” sport and that many other team names “kill people too.” in face of criticism.

    Overall, the name was well received. Despite the deadly nature of an avalanche, it makes the perfect name for a hockey team that comes in all at once to win.

    Nov 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov (15) celebrates his gaol against Calgary Flames with his teammates during the third period at the United Center. The Hawks won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
    NHL Team Name Origins: Chicago Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov (15) celebrates his gaol against Calgary Flames with his teammates during the third period at the United Center. The Hawks won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

    Giving Honor

    The Original Six team joined the NHL in 1926. Owner Frederic McLaughlin named the Chicago franchise in honor of something that was close to his heart and his roots.

    McLaughlin named the team after the 86th Infantry Division he served during World War I, the “Black Hawk Division”. The division itself was named after Chief Black Hawk of the Sauk American Tribe who fought the Illinois militia in 1832.

    Chicago would later change its name to Blackhawks in 1986, giving us the name we all know and love.

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