Two tickets to tonight's San Jose Rubber Puckies game. Who wants 'em?
Bash Las Vegas if it ultimately decides on an unoriginal name like the Red Hawks, rather than Knights, Vipers, or Wranglers. But at least it's playing it safe, avoiding the ridicule that comes with an awful team nickname.
With that, here are our top five cringeworthy names that nearly made it into NHL circles:
1. San Jose Rubber Puckies
While not a finalist (that distinction goes to the "San Jose Blades"), the Rubber Puckies was a consideration when the NHL returned to the Bay Area in 1991.
Despite the Blades winning a name-the-team contest, ownership selected the Sharks nickname based on its local connection, unique color scheme, and its inability to be shortened in a headline.
Other possibilities included the Salty Dogs and Screaming Squids, which don't look too bad next to the Rubber Puckies.
2. Phoenix Moon Doggies
It's one thing to move a franchise from the Canadian Prairies to the Arizona desert. It's a whole different animal to ignore the traditions of the sport.
Thankfully, the franchise opted for a regional and likeable name in the Coyotes, still achieving a unique appeal. The name came to be following a name-the-team contest, topping facepalm-inducing votes like the Moon Doggies, Goal Miners, and Phreeze (Yes, with a 'Ph').
Another possibility? The Phoenix Jets. That'd have been interesting!
3. Colorado Extreme
It's a great pick if you're naming an XFL franchise, but this is pro hockey.
The NHL called Denver home from 1976 to 1982, before the Colorado Rockies uprooted for New Jersey. When the NHL returned, the Rockies nickname had been scooped by baseball.
In need of a new name, and with the relocated Nordiques moniker not a fit with the local landscape, the team chose to honor the Rocky Mountains, selecting the Avalanche, ahead of the Big Horns, Black Bears, Explorers, and Storm.
4. Nashville Ice Tigers
Like the Extreme, it's a name generally reserved for the minor pro level. See the AHL's Rockford IceHogs and the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears.
However, the Predators' history is different than most, with the team named after a saber-toothed tiger fossil that was discovered in downtown Nashville.
When hockey came to the Music City, a saber-tooth logo was drawn up, with a contest asking fans for a name based on the design. Ultimately (and thankfully), the Predators won out, besting the Ice Tigers, as well as the Attack, Fury, and Rage.
5. Hampton Roads Rhinos
Wait, who? In 1997, southeastern Virginia was the subject of an NHL expansion bid, to play in downtown Norfolk.
However, the bid was short-lived, as later that year it was announced that the Hartford Whalers would relocate to Raleigh, N.C., only a short trip from the Virginia city.
In the end, the Hurricanes were born and the Rhinos were sent to the hockey graveyard.
