Comments on: What’s in a Nickname? The Origins of All 30 NHL Team Names

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:10:50 +0000

I think it would be nice if some of the defunct / extinct team names were explained too. All the Original Six are there, but it’d be nice to know some of the team name histories of the defunct teams (e.g. Why Winnipeg “Jets” who are now Phoenix Coyotes). I know Kansas City “Scouts” were named after a statue there so team wouldn’t be named with a favor toward either KC-K or KC-Mo (Kansas and Missouri sides of the city).

Speaking of the WHA (Jets), how about some of their teams, maybe just the six that were considered in the first NHL-WHA merger talks in ‘76.

Even challenge-cup era teams (and not strictly just NHA/NHL, also include PCHA and WHL… like why did Portland (Oregon) have “Rosebuds” and Seattle have “Metropolitans” / “Mets”… I always hated that nickname, just strikes me as lame… maybe b/c I didn’t like the NY Mets growing up.

By: Jeff E.

Jeff E. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:31:01 +0000

Additionally, most of the “blue jackets” the union soldiers wore were made in Columbus.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:01:08 +0000

Geez, the CBJ has a presence here tonight! The “Blue Jackets” name was selected because John McConnel (the deceased and beloved founder) reall, really likes the color blue (his large buildings along the north side of the city are painted blue). When the team was first names, credit was given to both the Union Blue of the Union during the Civil War and to the Native American Blue Jacket. During the first year all references to “Blue Jacket” disappeared and the Union Army became the official source. It was probably done to be polically correct, but the Union Army connection is easy to run with… Creates a little extra something when we play Southern teams (some of whom would prefer to keep fighting) and the cannon that fires after every goal is the bomb!

By: Muero

Muero — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:19:20 +0000

The Blue Jackets are named for the uniforms worn by the Union in the Civil War because Ohio contributed more soldiers to the cause than any other.

Blue Jacket was also the name of a Shawnee war chief who fought against the settlers of the early United States. He was also allied with the British in the American Revolutionary War. Whether his cause was just is debatable, but stating that an NHL team is named after him is just nonsense.

By: Paul Becker

Paul Becker — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:03:51 +0000

Apollo was not built in St. Louis.

Mercury and Gemini were. Apollo CSM was built by North American, while the Apollo LM was built by Grumman.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:56:45 +0000

Bluejackets were named after an Indian Chief and not because of the civil war.

By: Gregg

Gregg — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:37:18 +0000

Having grown up in South Jersey I’m well aware of the Jersey Devil. The article referred to it as a “harmless creature” but to those of us who grew up in the area it was a hideous creature and a vicious killer. As kids we were not thrilled at the idea of having to walk through the woods at night. As teenagers we were careful where we “parked” with our girlfriend. The Jersey Devil was out there and it was going to get us. Tales were told of people who were found dead in deserted areas. The cases may have been solved by the police but we still believed the Jersey Devil did it. I left New Jersey in 1974 and have returned to visit a few times since. Whether walking down a lonely road or stopping for gas late at night at a remote gas station, I would always do what I had to do to get out of there as fast as I could…the Jersey Devil was watching.

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:06:56 +0000

Not quite right on the Habs!

At least, not according to the NHL website. It was Tex Rickard that first called the Canadiens that in 1924. Before, the H just stood for Club de Hockey.

By: dbus

dbus — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:24:57 +0000

Jordy,
The Union Army wore blue uniforms hence Blue Jackets.

By: Son of Spam

Son of Spam — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:53:57 +0000

HAHA! LMFAO at “cender hice”.

“Da First Stahr…Le Premier Etoile