Utah Hockey Team Teases Name Change Amid YouTube Leak

Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah Hockey Club is in turmoil after a name change leak surfaced on their official YouTube channel Tuesday night.

Fans and media discovered the channel’s handle had shifted from “@UtahHockeyClub” to “@UtahMammoth,” leading to speculation about the team’s official nickname. The channel was deactivated shortly after, but screenshots of the change quickly spread online.

The Utah Mammoth was one of three finalists in a fan-driven vote to determine the team’s permanent name. The team, which is set to play its inaugural season in 2024-25 following the purchase and relocation of the Arizona Coyotes, allowed fans to vote via iPads placed around the Delta Center.

The options originally included Utah Mammoth, Utah Hockey Club, and Utah Wasatch; however, as the votes came in, Utah Wasatch was replaced by Utah Outlaws. The Mammoth name made it to the final four in last year’s fan vote.

Despite the buzz, Utah HC executives have not confirmed the Mammoth name. Mike Maughan, an executive with the team’s owner, Smith Entertainment Group, stated, “Progress continues on exploring all three of the name options that were chosen as finalists by our fans. We’re fully on track to announce a permanent name and identity ahead of the 25-26 NHL season.” When confronted about the YouTube leak, Maughan reiterated the focus on meeting their announcement timeline.

An NHL source told ESPN that the new name and logo could be revealed before the NHL draft in late June. This year’s draft will feature a decentralized format, allowing teams to make selections from their locations, potentially paving the way for a special event in Salt Lake City.

In a related development, the Utah HC announced plans for renovations at Delta Center to improve hockey visibility while maintaining the basketball experience. This multiyear project will introduce a cutting-edge retractable seating system, enhancing sightlines for both sports.

The seating system will accommodate a nearly 12-foot elevation difference between rink and court endlines, ensuring that all seats in the lower bowl have a complete view of the ice. Currently, only about 400 seats can fully see the action. After renovations, the hockey seating capacity is expected to grow from 11,131 to approximately 17,000.

Jim Olson, president of the Jazz and an executive overseeing facility projects for SEG, commented, “Delta Center was built for basketball. The geometry just doesn’t work for hockey, so we’re implementing this riser system to provide the best experience for both sports.”