A few weeks ago we reported that the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies would possibly be relocated to Trenton, New Jersey. On Tuesday the ECHL announced the move as official for the 2026-2027 ECHL season. The city previously played host to a team the Trenton Titans (with a rebrand to the Trenton Devils in there) from 1999-2013. Frank Servalli tweeted the day before that there would be a contest to name the team, so let’s take a look at some possible suggestions.
Trenton Thunder
This is also the name of the city’s minor league baseball team. Trenton has had this team since 1994 and they currently play in MLB’s Draft League. More importantly the team name has stayed the same since 1994. It has instant recognition in the area and has that always fun alliteration. While using the same name as the city’s other sports team might not be the most creative option, it might also be an easy way to build community excitement and kick off cross promotion with the their fellow community partners.
The Thunder even have a yearly “hockey night” promotion at their ballpark towards the end of summer. Ross Colton brought the Stanley Cup to a game there during one of his championship seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning. At the very least, it should be considered as an option.
Trenton Lightning
This is going off of the “well they already have a team named the Thunder” idea. It would be their own name, yet one that matches and goes with the Trenton Thunder baseball team. Is Trenton known for lightning? Not more than anywhere else. Could it potentially be a copyright conflict with the Tampa Bay Lightning? That might be the biggest issue. “Lightning” still seems like one of those generic names that would just work in almost any scenario. The fact it plays off the minor league baseball team’s name is an added bonus for Trenton.
Seagulls/Boardwalk Bullies
These are two names from other former New Jersey minor league hockey teams, both located in Atlantic City. The Boardwalk Bullies, just like the titans, were members of the ECHL and won the league championship Kelly Cup. Both names are references to the famous Jersey Shore, which Trenton is far enough from that a name wouldn’t make any sense.
Trenton Capitals
Trenton is the capital of New Jersey. Another minor league hockey team starting next season in another state capital of Topeka, Kansas considered calling themselves the “Wichita Capitals”. We feel like this is one of those names that will be considered just out of convenience. The city and the arena’s owners would also love highlighting their geographical and political “claim to fame”. Any team with the name “Capitals” reminds us of Alex Ovechkin’s NHL team and any name would make people think that there’s an affiliation with it. Meanwhile the whole “state capital of New Jersey” thing might get completely lost in the confusion.
Trenton Patriots
Trenton was a pretty important place during the Revolutionary War. It’s where Washington crossed the Delaware (well, close enough in location). Fun fact Trenton was briefly considered to be the United States capital, which means in an alternate universe Alex Ovechkin plays hockey here (then that “Trenton Capitals” name would have actually worked).
A minor league baseball team in the state, the Somerset Patriots, already chose the name for their community’s place in Revolutionary War history. This name honors history and avoids the whole “Devils vs Flyers” controversy. Then again it would be ironic for a team full of Canadians and European players to be playing in potentially red, white and blue jerseys. Still we like it, and it’s sure to sell merchandise.
Trenton Titans
This was the name of the city’s first ECHL team. They spent their best years and won a championship as the Titans before that fateful rebrand to the Trenton Devils began their demise (they did briefly return as the Titans before ultimately folding). This is the name fans remember, and the name they have great members off. The Titans were the team that filled the stadium for some good, cheap, family friendly hockey. Sometimes the original is the best. Maybe they shouldn’t overthink this one.