The potential name for the Utah Hockey Club may have been inadvertently revealed after the team's official YouTube channel handle was temporarily changed to @UtahMammoth on Tuesday night.
The change from "@UtahHockeyClub" was noticed by fans and media on both the channel's landing page and URL. The channel was subsequently deactivated early Wednesday morning, but screenshots of the handle change circulated widely on social media.
Utah Mammoth was one of three finalists presented to fans for a vote at Delta Center during the team's inaugural season in 2024-25. Fans cast their votes using iPads located throughout the arena, which displayed branding concepts for each option.
The team played its first season after SEG purchased and relocated the former Arizona Coyotes franchise. The name was expected to be announced later this summer, but the apparent leak could alter that timeline.
Team owner Ryan Smith had previously stated the name would definitely be "Utah Something" and that the process would not be rushed, allowing community input. Fans were allowed to vote on initial options and then the finalists.
The other two finalists included Utah Hockey Club and Utah Outlaws. The team had filed trademark extensions for several names, including Utah Mammoth in February and Utah Outlaws and Utah Hockey Club in April.
President of Hockey Operations Chris Armstrong provided an update on the name announcement timing during recent exit interviews. He indicated the team is nearing a decision and plans to announce it in the coming months.
"We’re definitely in the home stretch and on track to announce that in the coming months here," Armstrong said.
Armstrong also spoke about renovation plans for the Delta Center, which currently hosts both NBA and NHL games. Work has begun this offseason to optimize the building for hockey. Ryan Smith suggested this will be a multi-year process focused initially on the lower bowl.
The Utah Hockey Club concluded its first season sixth in the Central Division. The next major event for the franchise is the NHL Draft in June.
