Name game begins in earnest

Jets? Falcons? We'll know soon, says True North

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:04 PM CDT Tuesday, May. 31, 2011

WINNIPEG -- Winnipeg’s ‘new’ National Hockey League franchise hasn’t officially been christened yet, but the unveiling of the name of the team will be coming ASAP.

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WINNIPEG -- Winnipeg’s ‘new’ National Hockey League franchise hasn’t officially been christened yet, but the unveiling of the name of the team will be coming ASAP.

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This article was published 31/05/2011 (5248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg’s ‘new’ National Hockey League franchise hasn’t officially been christened yet, but the unveiling of the name of the team will be coming ASAP.

Jets? Moose? Falcons? Prairie Dogs?

David Thomson said “I think the Jets is a fine name. It’s something we’ll have to think hard about and quickly.”

“I don’t think anything is off the table yet,” said Jim Ludlow, the President and CEO of True North Sports and Entertainment. “Many things are possible and we have had lots of brand discussions internally in our marketplace and with the National Hockey League. I can tell you but that name issue has to come off the table in relatively short order.”

Ludlow did indicate the ‘Moose’ name — which has been the organization’s moniker in both the IHL and AHL – will remain in the TNSE family, whether that means with the NHL here or with another Canadian city where the farm club is relocated and will serve as the feeder for the big-league team in town.

“I can tell you this organization has spent a lot of time developing traction within the community and building that brand,” said Ludlow. “We’ve always been passionate about our Moose brand and inside this family of companies that brand will run somewhere… whether that remains with the AHL affiliate or with the National Hockey League, we just don’t have any expectation of losing that brand.”

Asked to comment on the thousands of fans who are pleading for a return of the ‘Jets’, Ludlow added:

“It’s passion. And it’s an important underpinning of what you see in this community. That’s one of many variables you need to consider in your brand and brand development.”

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca