The official name of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) Toronto team has been unveiled, and Canadians have some interesting takes on it.
On Monday, the PWHL announced the names of the six teams in the league, including the Toronto Sceptres.
PWHL Toronto’s reigning league MVP, Natalie Spooner, joined Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik at City Hall to unveil the name of the Toronto franchise.
“Across cultures, the sceptre symbolizes leadership and strength—something I know the whole team has on and off the ice. Excited for the season to start!,” Chow said in an X post.
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Last fall, the PWHL had trademarked six team names, which received mixed reviews. Those names included Boston Wicked, Minnesota Superior, Montreal Echo, New York Sound, Ottawa Alert, and Toronto Torch.
Due to negative fan feedback, these names were reconsidered.
The new team names have now been finalized, with Toronto becoming the Sceptres and other teams adopting names such as Ottawa Charge, Montreal Victoire, Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, and New York Sirens.
The Sceptres is an obvious tie to Canada’s monarchy and can be linked to Queen Elizabeth, as hinted in the team name and logo reveal teaser video. It can also be linked to the royal sceptre which is used during coronations.
However, Canadians have mixed feelings about both the name and the logo of the Toronto franchise.
“Amateur hour. The names are terrible and the logos look like they were designed in Canva,” one X user said.
“I thought the monastery was bad, now they’re naming hockey teams after the stick the King and Queen. lol The Woke really have to make up their minds,” added another X user.
“It’s probably not the best name when you have to explain it🤷🏾♂️,” another X user said.
Some fans have also suggested alternative names they feel would have been better.
“Ngl, I’m really disappointed, Tempests and Sentinels were way better imo,” one X user said.
“Should have been Toronto Beavers…think of the merch,” another X user said.
There were also comparisons of the logo to Taylor Swift’s cheer uniform from her “Shake It Off” music video.
Some are now anticipating that the team might be sued by Swift. “Don’t you know Taylor likes to sue people?,” one X user said.
Meanwhile, while some fans like the new name, others are choosing to support the team regardless.
“Not a huge fan of the name but I’ll still support anyway 😊,” one X user said.
“I will learn to love my team’s new name. Go TO go!,” another X user said.
“The CN Tower looks like a sceptre so makes sense…,” an X user said.
“I feel it was somewhat of a missed opportunity to have the sceptre in the logo take on a bit of a hidden CN Tower silhouette,” another X user added.
“LOVE the colour combo. As a Toronto sports fan, I wouldn’t wanna wear any colour but blue… but the splash of yellow looks awesome. Can’t wait to pick up a jersey,” one fan said in an X post on the colour choice of blue and yellow for the team.
While the new names are garnering mixed reactions, the PWHL has yet to announce a start date for its 2024-25 season.
