It has been a while. I finished writing a novel entitled Gun Barrel Polka. Then I was busy with a massive editing job that also included coming up with a new ending, one that I think is better and keeping with the themes and some of the moral ambiguity of some of the themes. Now I have to sell it.
But I am back now to the news the National Hockey League’s Arizona Coyotes have been sold to new ownership in Salt Lake City. The new owners have announced, for the next year the team will be known as the Utah Hockey Club to give them time to come up with a good franchise name. Given this window of opportunity, TOOTS (The Origin Of The Specious) would like to help by offering several suggestions.
Referencing state history, nicknames that could work, especially as rumour has it the team will be known as Utah. They could be the Bigamists, the Polygamists or the Concubines.
If, however, ownership was prepared to put a bit of work on licensing, the team could be known as Utah Tie Taw a Puddy Tat.
However, as the new owners are serious about getting involved with hockey, there is a chance to celebrate a bit of history. A man was born in Eureka, Utah in 1901 and had an impact on hockey. All ice resurfacing machines are known by his name. With that tidbit of history, what better franchise name could there be but:
The UTAH ZAMBONIS
Of course, it would be natural for the team to claim they would always clean the ice with their opposition.