As I was recently explaining, for the gazillionth time why Komets is spelled with a K -- it was because one of the original owners, Ernie Berg, wanted to honor his wife, Kathryn -- I got to thinking about all six of the team nicknames in the International Hockey League.
I don't mean particular offense to anyone, but on the whole, they're pretty lame.
We've got the Kalamazoo Wings, which is pretty bland and, in a state with the Detroit Red Wings, not very original. There's the Flint Generals, which isn't a disagreeable name but is kind of bland.
The Port Huron Icehawks is copycat -- remember the Adirondack IceHawks? -- and frankly anytime you have to put "ice" in the name, I get kind of nauseas. It's hockey. Ice is implied. That's why names like the Rockford IceHogs and Austin Ice Bats always turned me off. Why couldn't it have just been the Austin Bats?
Moving on, the Muskegon Fury's name is bad in a number of respects . It's been done before -- Fort Wayne Fury basketball team, Ottawa Fury soccer -- and I don't care who started it because it's a singular name and that's almost always bad. It gets your fans speaking incorrectly, saying things like, "They played great tonight," when it should really be, "It played great tonight." And how Fury begets a cyclone logo is a stretch.
The Komets' name has a lot of history behind it, with the team going back to 1952, so it kind of gets a pass on being common in origin. But it's so darn confusing to people who don't know; they either think it's misspelled or just plain strange.
Which leaves me with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder. On a number of levels, it's bad. Many don't know if the nickname is Thunder and the origin is Bloomington Prairie or if, correctly, the team hails from Bloomington, Ill., and is named the Prairie Thunder. And it's singular. But it does have a decent origin, referring to the long railroad history in the area.
So, pressed to rank the nicknames:
1) Komets: Weird but historic. No. 1 here by default.
2) Generals: Says toughness and excitement. Simple but good.
3) Prairie Thunder: Confusing but unique.
4) Wings: Bland but OK.
5) Icehawks: Is this an actual species? Google said no.
6) Fury: Muskegon should have stuck with Mohawks.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Nice subject for this Ice Chip, I love it. I agree with your list I think the top 3 are good and the bottom 3 are just awful.
I like the crazy little names some minor league teams come up with (mudhens,lugnuts,muckdogs,condors, hitmen)
But, some teams still seem to get it wrong by jerking the name over too much
(grrowl, anything with ice in front of it, mud bugs, winterhawks,salmon kings)
glad the komets have something original, catchy, and nice looking.
Posted by: JW | November 13, 2007 at 12:37 AM
Some of these names are just silly. Fury is horrible. The Flags was BY FAR the Worst in the UHL.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | November 13, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Justin, I thought Prairie Thunder was derived from the herds of buffalo(bison) on the prairie, thus the buffalo mascot/logo.
Posted by: Ex-STH | November 13, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Two minutes in the sin bin for Justin Cohn!
"Which leaves me with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder...But it does have a decent origin, referring to the long railroad history in the area."
"Prairie Thunder" is the sound of a stampeding bison herd. It has nothing to do with a railroad. Notice the logo is a bison and not a train?
Posted by: Illinois Bois | November 13, 2007 at 10:33 AM
A lot of teams are using singular names for whatever reason. I still think THE WORST ones are the names of a lot of the soccer teams out there. (Columbus Crew, Manchester United, etc.)
I would like to know what you thought of the Indianapolis Ice name, especially with the logo of the mean looking polar bear standing up in the skyline of the city, looking like he was protecting the city.
To me, the names of the other teams are ok, but the PH IceHawk looks like he drank too much and is ready to fall out of the tree!
Posted by: Bob | November 13, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Remember the Roanoke Valley Vipers? I was never sure if Roanoke Valley was the name of the city, or if the team was the Valley Vipers? What's a Valley Viper?
Florida Everblades is kinda clever... :)
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | November 13, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Nothing will ever beat the "Peoria PRANCERS" IMO.
Posted by: Greg | November 13, 2007 at 11:16 AM
If I am not mistaken, Kalamazoo was once owned by the Detroit Red Wings (IHL days?) thus the K-Wings...makes sense, in Michigan they love the Red Wings, keep the name don't change like PH has done in the past...best source for that would probably be the best person to ask would be Bob Chase...FW has problem with nicknames in the past and present Mad Ants, Freedom, Fusion, etc
Posted by: Lee Davidson | November 13, 2007 at 11:44 AM
If you all remember a few years ago; Fort Wayne, Indiana was voted the dumbest city in America by Men’s Health Magazine. They even highlighted the fact that our local hockey team is called the Komets. "Yeah, that’s comets spelled with a “K”. I say Phooey! Yep, it's spelled right. KOMETS... It even looks like HOCKEY. GO KOMETS!!! It would'nt be right if it were a C.
It did always like the team name, Dayton "Bombers". My father is retired Air Force. The Evil Toledo "Gold Diggers". As a kid in the late 60's and early 70's I always thought it was the "Gold Diggers". I kinda like that better. I'm sure they have those there too.
Posted by: The Fan | November 13, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Ooops, I got ahead of myself wit the punch line "Goal Diggers". Hey, Justin. Have you heard any talk about the Komets having any interest in Justin Depretis? (MAHL-Indiana Ice Miners). There you go JW. Another one of them there "Ice" teams.
Posted by: The Fan | November 13, 2007 at 01:40 PM
FMF- I think they got the name Roanoke Valley Vipers by saying the Roanoke Valley..I read somewhere that that region is in a valley...thus the name Roanoke Valley..how they got vipers is beyond me...GO KOMETS,
Posted by: Mark | November 13, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Sorry people, it's a reference to the trains that used to go through there and was nicknamed the Prairie Thunder. It was also a name of an exhibit on trains that was at the local museum shortly before the team was founded, and that's what prompted the person who submitted the name in their contest to do so. The buffalo was a nice sidenote to it all.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 13, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Well Justin what names are good all around in the minor leagues? You don't seem impressed with the IHL names...what names do you like?
Posted by: FWKRTJ | November 13, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Change of subject, if I may. I'm leaving for Florida and will be missing the induction of Terry McDougall in the Komets Hall of Fame this Saturday night. He was one of my all-time favorite K's, playing on my favorite line of all time with Robbie Laird and Al Dumba. Sure wish I could be there. He really deserves it...check the records and you'll know what I mean. Way to go, Dougie!
Posted by: Teresa | November 13, 2007 at 04:06 PM
McDougall, Laird, and Dumba put up points like they were going out of style. Dougie's production was unmatched. Go to the record book and check it out.
Posted by: ex-STH | November 13, 2007 at 05:57 PM
Justin,
I am waiting to hear back from Lefty (Prairie Thunder PR guy), but I think you are wrong. I am pretty sure it is the buffalo herd thing and not the train thing.
Shaun Bill
prohockeynews.com
Posted by: Shaun Bill | November 13, 2007 at 08:02 PM
All you of little faith:
From the Bloomington Pantagraph, www.pantagraph.com, from Feb. 23, 2006:
"... the name for the downtown venue's hockey team was unveiled Wednesday.
Mike Matejka, a community activist, labor leader, city alderman and avid railroad historian, submitted the winning name in a contest sponsored by Central Illinois Arena Management and The Pantagraph.
"I'm excited," said Beau Bradle, director of sales and marketing for the Coliseum. "It ties to the community through the history of the railroad."
"Prairie Thunder" also was the name of a recent McLean County Museum of History exhibit on railroad history.
Matejka, who said the credit also goes to Pantagraph photojournalist Steve Smedley, said the name refers to the power of a train and the power of Central Illinois weather. ..."
There you go, folks.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 13, 2007 at 08:33 PM
Why did this article even get started who cares wat the names are they play hockey isnt that good enough!
well i dont c the point y this guy wat ever his name i wrote this when we could have been talkin about hockey....u kno the sport and the team this thing was made for....
well i dont c the point in this
someone change the subject
Posted by: morency fan | November 13, 2007 at 08:46 PM
You see, it's a blog, where the author -- me -- gets to write about things that pop into his mind or thinks others might find interesting. If you have a subject you'd rather talk about, type away ...
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 13, 2007 at 08:48 PM
Clear this one up for us all...
Is it the Pet's Mart?
Or
Is it the Pet Smart?
That one always confuses me.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | November 13, 2007 at 08:55 PM
I believe PetSmart.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 13, 2007 at 08:58 PM
oh well srry i thought it was sapose to be bout the games but i guess i was wrong srry...haha
so do u kno when henleys coming back i miss him!!
Posted by: morency fan | November 13, 2007 at 09:11 PM
This a place where Justin can rant or write about whatever he wants, from there, its in our hands to discuss it. haha.
Posted by: lovelost | November 13, 2007 at 09:13 PM
yea i didnt kno that lol
so do u kno when henleys coming back?
Posted by: morency fan | November 13, 2007 at 09:16 PM
Well, Justin, kudos to you and thanks for setting us all straight. Please pass the info on to Chaser since I have heard him tell the buffalo story umpteen times now.
Posted by: ex-STH | November 13, 2007 at 09:20 PM
That would fall under the heading of...
That is my story and I am sticking to it....Bob Chase.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | November 13, 2007 at 09:22 PM
Mr. Cohn
You are right.
SLB
Posted by: Shaun Bill | November 13, 2007 at 09:37 PM
wings were a farm team of detroit when they started, dont know if they were owned by them or not. but they had the name and the colors. my favorite team name was the macon whooppee{sp]
Posted by: chuckitt | November 13, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Higher leagues have funny names too. Calgary/QC Flames I think is the worst. Better than heat but not quite tough enough to be fire I guess. I'm sure the name 'flamers' never goes away either. I feel bad for QC, 'Mallards' wasn't a half bad name.
Posted by: dnl | November 14, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Dear Al Gore,
Stop this thing you called the internet! Users murder me daily!
Sincerely,
The English Language.
Posted by: Websters Dictionary | November 14, 2007 at 01:44 AM
Wait a min...Winterhawks is a great name for a junior team...with a great logo.
Posted by: Mr. Elbows | November 14, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Justin,
Komets need to waive someone when Sessa comes back, who do you think it will be?
Marchant, Shafranov or maybe Warner or Reynolds? Dare I say Legault or Woods?
Tough decision with the team they have, glad it's not me making this decision.
Posted by: T.P. | November 14, 2007 at 11:44 AM
First of all, Shaun Bill, can you elaborate on what you were told by the Prairie Thunder. Just out of curiosity, you skeptic.
And Bob Chase get something wrong? You don't say. ...
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 14, 2007 at 11:44 AM
This Weekends predictions:
Komets win
Hit gets blasted for a post
Posted by: Burgee | November 14, 2007 at 12:13 PM
T.P.- Sessa is on the 10 Day IR. In theory, he comes off and someone goes on, no one would have to be cut.
Posted by: Greg | November 14, 2007 at 12:19 PM
When Sessa comes back I would assume the K's would place another player on IR. However, if they did drop a player my guess would be Legault or Pence. Management isn't going to get rid of either Marchant & Shafranov this early in the year. Coach likes Reynolds and feels comfortable playing him in just about every situation. Warner has been solid and w/ him being a local kid I couldn't see him being dropped. Woods is too much of a fan favorite to drop. Again I love the depth of the k's and we'll need that throughout the season. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Posted by: Kevin | November 14, 2007 at 12:44 PM
I hesitate to quote Bryan Bloodworth, here, but he does the political thing by indicating both answers are correct. :-)
First came the train - it being the actual name of a train that ran through Bloomington back in the day.
Check this link:
http://www.mchistory.org/mcmh_exhibit_prair_thundr.html
(Bloomington is the county seat for Mclean County)
The timing of this display coincides with the "Name the Team" contest.
The team liked the NAME but didn't want to do a train logo/mascot.
Thus we have the buffalo mascot in Bloomington.
Posted by: Shaun Bill | November 14, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Kevin,
My fault on this one, I forgot that Henley was on the 21 day.
I'll save this for two-three weeks from now when Henley is on the ice.
Justin, any update on how Henley is skating?
Posted by: T.P. | November 14, 2007 at 01:28 PM
Henley probably skates one foot after the other.
Posted by: Henley Update | November 14, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Henley Update,
Really?? No double runners either???
Gee you should have your own colum so you can provide one line comments and feedback. Perhaps a kindergarden blog would be best to start you out on.
Elmo, Dora those subjects should be easy for you to handle.
Posted by: T.P. | November 14, 2007 at 01:34 PM
What exactly is a colum?
Posted by: Websters Dictionary | November 14, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Are you here for any particular reason, Webster? Try talking hockey instead.
Posted by: dnl | November 14, 2007 at 01:58 PM
MR.Justin Cohen,is it ok to post a few tickets for sale or trade here? Just a few games I can't make because of work and other things going on.
Posted by: mightbite | November 14, 2007 at 03:14 PM
The subjects went from names of teams,where they came from,and opinions.Then to interest in players.Can we stick to the subject Justin wrote?Like back up to T.P.'s question,cause I am interested in HOW Henley is skating.Does anybody know?Sorry,but that stuff should be on another column!
Posted by: puckit | November 14, 2007 at 04:32 PM
Yes, please start another column for Henley news...
Posted by: Henley67250 | November 14, 2007 at 04:35 PM
I just talked to someone and I understand Henley is going to practice,but not skating.I hear he is still sore.It will probly be after thanksgiving before he plays.
Posted by: puckit | November 14, 2007 at 05:32 PM
You can talk about whatever here; it doesn't have to coincide with posts. ... As long as it's with good decorum. ... As for tickets, if it's legal, doesn't bother me.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 14, 2007 at 08:00 PM
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1389538645111300733&q=bison+stampede&total=7&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2
Posted by: Shaun Bill | November 15, 2007 at 05:42 PM
cool
Posted by: Junior | November 17, 2007 at 06:12 PM