There are a lot of team name ideas floating out there right now for Utah’s new NHL team.
The Yeti, the Pioneers, the Raptors … the Utah Hockey Team (with no mascot) and many, many more.
But there’s really only one that encapsulates what NHL success would require here in Utah, only one that really represents the success the state has had, and that’s the Utah Swarm.
Why? Because in order for Utah hockey to work, it’s going to take everyone.
New fans flocking, buying tickets, jerseys, hats, merch. Local media is going to have to learn a new sport and where our team would fit in it, and how to get that to us. New news writers will have to be hired, podcasts created. Ryan Smith is going to need to hire new people to support this team from top to bottom. Janitors are going to find a new mess in the soon-to-be built hockey arena.
It’s not going to take a handful to create NHL success in Utah. It’s going to take a swarm. Thousands of people each doing their part, whether that’s simply viewing the product, coming to games, or actually dreaming, working, and then becoming the next great hockey players. It’s going to take a swarm.
Hockey is so much a team sport. The way the game is played in and of itself requires everyone’s all-in attitude and work ethic. Just like a swarm.
Financially, Smith isn’t going to be able to front this team on his own bill, which is why taxes are being proposed to help support building its own arena (the hive, duh).
Calling Utah’s hockey team the swarm would be an obvious nod to the Beehive state, and symbol of what has built this place: teamwork.
While there may be other ideas out there floating in the air, the only one with any real sting is the swarm. So please, Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Ashley, do us new NHL fans a solid and let us know we matter by naming the team after us — your Utah Swarm.
Bob Lambert, Salt Lake City
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