NHL’s Utah Hockey Club announces Mammoth as team’s official name

The NHL’s newest franchise in Salt Lake City has officially adopted its permanent identity: the Utah Mammoth, set to start at the beginning of the 2025/2026 season. The announcement came Wednesday morning from owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, nearly a year after the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes and an extensive fan engagement campaign. The name “Mammoth” was chosen through a process that involved input and voting from fans across the state, reflecting Utah’s desire for a team that embodies local pride and rugged strength.

“From Day 1, we committed that this team would be built with and for the people of Utah,” the Smiths said in a joint statement. “The community chose the Utah Mammoth brand, and it stands as a symbol of who we are, where we came from, and the unstoppable force we’re building together.”

The name replaces the placeholder “Utah Hockey Club,” which was used during the team’s inaugural season following the relocation. The Mammoth moniker was selected over other finalists such as Outlaws and the original placeholder itself. Another popular fan suggestion, Yeti, had to be withdrawn from consideration due to a copyright conflict with the outdoor cooler company of the same name.

The Utah Mammoth will maintain the original color scheme of black, light blue, and white, including the sharp road jerseys with “UTAH” spelled diagonally across the front. While the name has changed, the team’s commitment to establishing a distinct identity in the NHL remains the same.

The franchise’s journey to Utah has deep roots. Before becoming the Mammoth, the team was known as the Arizona Coyotes, who played in the desert from 1996 to 2024 after relocating from Winnipeg, where they were originally founded as the Jets in 1972. The Coyotes experienced a tumultuous history in Arizona, marked by financial instability, ownership changes, and arena issues. Despite developing passionate local support and fostering NHL talent like Shane Doan and Clayton Keller, the team struggled to find long-term viability in the Phoenix area.

In 2023, the NHL approved the sale and relocation of the Coyotes to Utah after a prolonged search for a stable home in Arizona fell through. Ryan Smith, also the owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, led the acquisition and relocation effort, vowing to create a sustainable and successful hockey franchise in Salt Lake City. Utah embraced the team wholeheartedly, and fan enthusiasm helped accelerate the branding and identity process.

Looking ahead, the Utah Mammoth have an exciting offseason. With the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, over $20 million in salary cap space, and the first phase of arena renovations underway, General Manager Bill Armstrong is poised to reshape the roster and lay the foundation for a competitive team. As the Mammoth charge forward, they carry with them not only the promise of Utah’s hockey future but also the legacy of the Phoenix Coyotes and a long journey from the desert to the mountains.

Reno Silva/MS