In the search to name Augusta's new hockey team, the franchise's ownership and staff have narrowed the options down to five finalists.
But legal problems and potential lawsuits mean the list of finalists won't sound familiar to local hockey fans who voted for their favorite in a top 20 list released by the team last month.
The five finalists -- the Augusta Brigade, Chill, Patriots, River Hawks and Snipers -- will go before the public in an online vote to decide the name.
An earlier online poll produced a mixed bag of results, with no single name receiving more than 15 percent of the vote. But team general manager Gilles Richard said the real reason the names in the first poll were dropped as possibilities stem from the potential for legal complications.
"I didn't realize it was going to be this difficult," Richard said. "You have to consider all these teams, not just hockey names."
Of the 20 names, at least 13 could have run into copyright or trademark issues, including Augusta River Dogs and Augusta Nationals, which finished first and second in the voting.
Richard said he had a phone conversation with a representative of Augusta National Golf Club last week. After the call, Richard said the hockey team decided to "seek its own identity" instead of trying to use the Nationals name.
Dave Echols, general manager of the Class A Charleston RiverDogs minor league baseball team, expressed similar feelings about protecting his team's name and mascot.
"We do own the rights and trademarks to the name, so we'd respectfully ask that they look into the matter before they get too long in the process," Echols said.
Hoping to avoid further problems, Richard said the team staff came up with the list of five finalists with no such trademark issues. The opinion of local hockey fans will once again be sought through the online poll.
"We still want to give the fans a chance to vote," Richard said.
Voting starts today and continues through midnight Friday. The team will announce the name Saturday at 4 p.m. at Somewhere in Augusta.
Vote for your favorite name from the top five choices.
What happened to Soul? Is there a trademark on that too? Let me guess, it's held by the James Brown Arena....
What about the Ice Cats? They were the third team name in the voting!
Why weren't the legal problems thought about beforehand? Why have a name the team contest if you aren't using the names provided by the fans? This is not a good start to the return of hockey. All of the names provided are ridiculous.Come up with more names than the ones you have.
I still like whoever had the idea for "Ice Holes". Is it possible to add a write-in spot on the poll and let the "Lynx" booster club rally support?
I second that emotion, BeaufordT. Ice Holes does have a ring to it, awsomely appropriate for Augusta.
The "Soul" is a Arena football franchise. I don't like any of these. What about the "Greens"? Could be golf related, could be food related, could be money related?
What about the "Ostrich"? You know Augusta's politicians like to bury their head in the sand and stay there.
To the folks that don't like the five finalist names, can you come up with a decent name (not just as a joke), that doesn't cause any copyright issues? If so, then have at it. But I did the research myself and I wound up with basically the same five names. Not much you can do with the legal side of things, but it is what it is and we have to live with that. Like it or not.
River Hawks sounds like a good name. I agree with AWyld1in connection that the ownership should have forseen legal problems BEFORE they presented the list. So far, I can't see this as good business pratice, along with the season ticket campaign that is taking away the fundementals of seating for customers. Another question that comes to mind, are the names presented ones that were sent in by the fans?
I fear the naming process will last longer than the team itself, if past support for hockey is repeated.
The guy said that "River Dogs" and "Nationals" could have run into copyright infringement issues. Well, remaining on the ballot is the name "Patriots." Why isn't that one a copyright issue?
Come on, AugustaVoter. The name "Greens" is too political. It has already been taken by the environmental whackos. An ice hockey rink leaves too big a carbon footprint to be called "green."
None of the new offerings has much of a ring. They really should start completely over and solicit some creativity from area residents.
I agree the Riverhawks is a good name. I think it is kinda cute that the people cryin about losing the Lynx are the first ones cryin about a bump in the road to getting a new team that we can watch and support. A new group of hard working people are trying to bring us something that we have wanted for a while now lets help out and be supportive instead whining and bashing them when things dont go 100% to plan. Besides the Lynx are dead and gone lets not complain that we wont be the Ice Cats....real original.
How about something like the Ice Putters or Ice Drivers?
Little Lamb I was wondering the same thing about using "Patriots". I don't understand why that wouldn't be a copyright infringement as well.
RiverHawks is already used by a professional baseball team in Rockford, IL.
Okay Hoser, I suggested River Cats (Catz, Katz). Keeping a bit of the memory of the Lynx in the name. Anyone that has spent any time at the river, especially in the mornings, will have noticed all the cats hunting for their breakfast.
Although Sacramento has a professional baseball team with the same name, it is all the way in California.
Or a play on the word cat and use a catfish instead of a cat.
Sorry LL. I didn't put any thought to that. Kind of like the person(s) who put the original list out.
The Westobous!!! Gooooooo Booooooooooooos!!!! We could keep the same chant whether they are winning or losing - just change the inflection!
Lets just give up, nickname them Dawgs or Bulldogs and make the colors red and black like just about every other high school team around the area.
Billy B/new ownership, if you are watching, please let us know! Help keep the creative juices flowing!
Augusta Bangers? in honor of our increasing gang population and it could also stand for those fans like me who like to bang on the glass!
Augusta Robbers? Hoods? Docs (for MCG)? Deers (for S. Augusta)? Hilltoppers (for our wealthy area)? Pilots (for our aviation history), Soldiers (for the guy at FG)? Something HAS TO BE better and less likely for lawsuits than what we have to pick from right now.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
