A Case for Yeti: Naming Utah’s New NHL Team

Well before the Arizona Coyotes were ever set to relocate to Salt Lake City, fans have been mocking up names, sweaters and full-blown aesthetics for a potential professional hockey team in Utah.

Now that the dream has become a reality, fans find themselves fully entrenched in the war that is naming the new NHL team.

With the Smith Entertainment Group dropping a poll of twenty names we at least know what’s on the table. And what isn’t. (RIP Raptors and Elk)

This poll will be voted on and results tallied up until the 22^nd of May before the next step is laid out.

Despite the waiting, for the poll and ultimately the entire year to determine a winner, fans are still being sure to vocalize their favorite selections.

With twenty names, you can bet some of them are sure to be unfavorable in the eyes of the public (looking at you Utah Ice).

Yet by default, some of these names have to be better than the others, and I am setting out to make a case for the seemingly most popular selections.

It’s easy to put a name down when you have a handpicked selected favorite, but in all reality there’s about 4 to five names that would be met with “mostly” positive reviews.

So be aware, this ISNT my definite selection, but a positive spin on some of the names that could fit the newest NHL team to hit the ice.

Today’s selection: UTAH YETI.

Once again, these are cases in favor of the proposed name, an opportunity to dial in on the positives of the potential.

So, I will be sure to refrain from overanalyzing the prior Yeti usage in mascot and logo of an active NHL team in the Colorado Avalanche.

Yeti is a powerhouse of a name.

Both as an intimidating mascot and a literal odds-on favorite to end ups the name.

Per the FanDuel sportsbook Yeti has a slight edge over Outlaws at the very top of the summit and an even bigger edge over Mammoth.

Yeti has been a constant recommendation from Utah fans ever since the rumors began to swirl that a team had a chance to end up in Salt Lake City.

Before diving into the mascot itself, it is also essential to note that of all the proposed names, few roll off the tongue as smoothly as “Utah Yeti”.

As for what the Yeti is and what it does, that can be up to interpretation.

Known as an Abominable Snowman, the Yeti, like the Kraken of Seattle is a mythical creature unless you’re riding the Matterhorn at Disneyland.

Resembling a bipedal ape with thick hair, Yeti’s have been reported anywhere from 6 to 9 feet tall.

Although there is no certain way of documenting the Yeti, they are often depicted with swinging, gorilla length, muscular arms with massive hands, feet, and a snarling ape like face with terrifying canine fangs.

In shared stories, many would describe the Yeti as a mixture of man and massive ape.

This cryptid creature stems from Himalayan folklore and has reported sightings from Mount Everest to Tibet.

It’s oft depicted white hair is to blend in with the snowy atmosphere in which it resides, making it a master of elusiveness.

Anything that is based in mythology already comes with a certain appeal.

One does not have to hype up how intimidating a creature like a Dragon, Bigfoot or a Werewolf would be if there was proof it existed.

Even without unwavering proof, people fear things such as Yeti.

The power, strength and intimidation faction are baked in just based up on the illusion of mystery shrouding the Yeti.

A creature that can keep you awake at night just based off a single person’s real or fictious account proves the power of this creature.

Translate the frosted glaciers and snowy mountain peaks as this beast’s home turf and you have a picture-perfect hockey brand.

Power, speed, and the ability to strike fear into opponent’s, is what a team tries to replicate on the ice.

Like bigfoot, the Yeti is often most documented through footprints “discovered” by hikers, often double the size of the largest human foot recorded.

The face, the feet, the Himalayas all could lend to some pretty sweet gear and merchandise.

A snarling Yeti face would no doubt look incredibly cool at mid ice and the mascot could easily be furry and charming to kids or the most terrifying thing you’ve ever seen. However, they would want to play it.

As far as the state goes, Yeti have been sighted in Utah zero times if my research is accurate, but it’s cousin, Bigfoot has 72 total listings on The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization website.

The majority of those sightings have taken place in Weber County and Summitt County.

Although not a Yeti by definition, Utah is no stranger to mythical large footed fiends.

Once again, on a positive note, despite no official tie to the state, not every team has to be rooted in a location’s history.

Outside of the Zoo there are no Grizzly bears in Memphis or Penguins in Pittsburgh…. and Utah isn’t a big Jazz scene.

If you’re looking for an intimidating monster and some cool concept designs you can do a lot worse than Yeti.

With Mammoth and Yeti cases on the table, we have the Utah Outlaws upcoming in the next deep dive into the NHL’s newest team and their potential identity.