A New Identity Hit the Ice
A hockey team’s name can become closely tied to its city and most memorable seasons, but those identities don’t always stick around. Franchises sometimes adopt new ones after relocating, changing ownership, or merely deciding that their original branding ran its course. These five NHL teams prove that even a familiar sweater can come with a long-winded history.
1. The Mighty Ducks Became The Anaheim Ducks
Believe it or not, Disney founded the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 1993, naming the expansion team after its popular movies of the same name. After the franchise was sold, the club shortened its name to the Anaheim Ducks ahead of the 2006–07 season and replaced its cartoon-inspired look. The timing worked out nicely, too—the newly renamed Ducks won the Stanley Cup that same season.
2. The Minnesota North Stars Became The Dallas Stars
When the Minnesota North Stars relocated to Texas in 1993, management didn’t chuck away the identity. Instead, the franchise dropped “North” and began playing as the Dallas Stars, a name that also suited the Lone Star State. Dallas later won its first Stanley Cup in 1999.
3. The Quebec Nordiques Became The Colorado Avalanche
The Quebec Nordiques joined the NHL in 1979 and spent 16 seasons playing in Quebec City. Money troubles eventually led to the team’s sale and relocation to Denver in 1995, but it all worked out in the end. They were renamed the Colorado Avalanche, leaving fans in Quebec to watch their former club win the Stanley Cup during its very first season under the new moniker.
4. The Kansas City Scouts Became The New Jersey Devils
Few franchises have changed as often as the New Jersey Devils. Even if you only know them by their current name, the organization began as the Kansas City Scouts in 1974, became the Colorado Rockies in 1976, and finally moved to New Jersey in 1982. The Devils' name was chosen thanks to the legendary Jersey Devil, and it stuck afterward.
5. The Phoenix Coyotes Became The Arizona Coyotes
After leaving Winnipeg in 1996, the original Jets franchise arrived in the desert as the Phoenix Coyotes. From there, they officially switched to the Arizona Coyotes in 2014. Unfortunately, the new name couldn’t exactly solve the franchise’s long-running troubles, and the Coyotes became inactive after the 2023–24 season.
