Name our new AHL team

[earlywinegareth]

Since natural gas production is big in OKC, I present to you:

The OKC Fumes

Yeah, not really...but there should be some good ones out there...or do we resurrect the Blazers name?

[OKC@heart]

I am sure that there will be strong opinions for both new and for keeping with the team of the past. I for one feel that if we kept the old name (where as there was a good history with the Blazers) we would be missing a great opportunity that comes with a new franchise and a new identity. Reviving the Blazers identity could create disillusionment with the old fans when the team and experience are not the same, which it will certainly not be. The Blazers were a great chapter for the city and were a building block that certainly has led to the possibilities of both the NBA and AHL coming to our great city. But it should remain there in the past to allow for new growth to emerge that will far exceed the benchmark we achieved with the Blazers.
A new Franchise with a new name and local identity creates another reason for citizens of the city and state to come to OKC and see what is happening and support a new team. This will capture both the old blazer fans as well as those who may not have really gotten behind the Blazers previously. Then there is the merchandizing. A new team means a new look and new team jerseys and all of the other memorabilia to market and sell to fans. In this case definitely a new identity is warranted.

[smooth]

It's already an established name known nationwide... B-L-A-Z-E-R-S!!!

[rbtoliver]

It's already an established name known nationwide... B-L-A-Z-E-R-S!!!

I have to disagree, other than people who have CHL teams no one knew who the Blazers were, it was 3rd rate hockey presented like it was a higher grade of hockey imho !

[smooth]

I have to disagree, other than people who have CHL teams no one knew who the Blazers were, it was 3rd rate hockey presented like it was a higher grade of hockey imho !

You are VERY incorrect. The Blazers had the reputation of being the highest drawing minor league hockey team in North America and gained a great deal of national publicity. Plus, I have tried to drill it into the stubborn heads on this thread, it is pre-marketed.

[rbtoliver]

You are VERY incorrect. The Blazers had the reputation of being the highest drawing minor league hockey team in North America and gained a great deal of national publicity. Plus, I have tried to drill it into the stubborn heads on this thread, it is pre-marketed.

All i know is i went to several Dallas Stars games and met people who were die hard hockey fans and had no idea who the blazers were......

[rbtoliver]

You are VERY incorrect. The Blazers had the reputation of being the highest drawing minor league hockey team in North America and gained a great deal of national publicity. Plus, I have tried to drill it into the stubborn heads on this thread, it is pre-marketed.

Well that's your opinion and of course we all know that saying....

[OKC@heart]

Plus, I have tried to drill it into the stubborn heads on this thread, it is pre-marketed.

& its working so well!!! OKC STORM!

[Dave Cook]

I have to disagree, other than people who have CHL teams no one knew who the Blazers were, it was 3rd rate hockey presented like it was a higher grade of hockey imho !

I won't disagree at all with the fact the CHL Blazers were third-rate hockey presented as a higher level (how do you expect a marketing department to sale a product??).

But I don't think people outside of our state borders were completely unfamiliar with the franchise. I've had a few conversations with Canadians, none of whom have never visited the south, who brought up how impressive those early-Blazers teams were in the old days.

It would be nice to get back to that tradition.

[Dave Cook]

Then there is the merchandizing. A new team means a new look and new team jerseys and all of the other memorabilia to market and sell to fans. In this case definitely a new identity is warranted.

This is actually a pretty funny statement.

You obviously didn't follow the Oklahoma City Blazers very closely following their first major uniform redesign at the end of the 94-95 season.

In the subsequent 14 seasons, I believe the front office changed uniform designs, colours, and logos 14 times in endless attempts at selling more merchandise.

[n8ison]

how about the OKC Compressors?
...you know for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

[gmwise]

no

[smooth]

no

Now THAT'S original. The Oklahoma City no.

[gmwise]

the squirters?

[dmoor82]

BLAZERS!!!!! would be my first choice,but I also like Storm.

[krisb]

How about the Naturals? Natural gas, natural resources, natural friendliness, natural people.

[decepticobra]

How about the Naturals? Natural gas, natural resources, natural friendliness, natural people.

arkansas would kick our ass over that, they are the natural state, not us.

[gmwise]

Naturals
or the Compressors
or the Cornetts..lol

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Ice Barons

[jmlight]

I like the Oklahoma City Wind.

When it was first suggested for the NBA team, I hated it, but it sort of grew on me. And it's appropriate (for Oklahoma City, not for being a product of the Oilers).

Wichita had a hockey team called the Wind in the 80's. Wichita Wind rolls of the tongue a little better than Oklahoma City Wind, but I still like it. It's different.

My first choice would be Blazers, but my second choice is Wind.

[fuzzytoad]

I like the Oklahoma City Wind.

yeah, because *nobody* will make any fart jokes.

[smooth]

yeah, because *nobody* will make any fart jokes.

Would the mascot be called "Breaker?"

I know! "It's a fast break... The Wind!"

[Watson410]

I like Oklahoma City Barons... as i did with the NBA name too. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense!! What is OKC/Oklahoma know for? Oil... We're OIL Barons. What team is OKC representing? Edmondton Oilers... It's perfect!! Oklahoma City Barons!! Not Ice Barons, not Oil Barons... just Barons

[Laramie]

I like the Oklahoma City Wind.

When it was first suggested for the NBA team, I hated it, but it sort of grew on me. And it's appropriate (for Oklahoma City, not for being a product of the Oilers).

Wichita had a hockey team called the Wind in the 80's. Wichita Wind rolls of the tongue a little better than Oklahoma City Wind, but I still like it. It's different.

My first choice would be Blazers, but my second choice is Wind.

The Wind?

You are correct! Wichita had a hockey team in the early rebirth of the CHL called the Wind before they became the Wichita Thunder. It might be quite ironic if we have an NBA Thunder and an AHL Wind--both names of Witchita's AA hockey experience.

[jmlight]

The Wind?

You are correct! Wichita had a hockey team in the early rebirth of the CHL called the Wind before they became the Wichita Thunder. It might be quite ironic if we have an NBA Thunder and an AHL Wind--both names of Witchita's AA hockey experience.

Yeah, I realize I'm not quite the authority Smooth is, (like he said...) but I do like the name Wind. I guess when I was younger the fart jokes might have concerned me, but now they're obviously not something I think about.

Like I said (may I use that, smooth?) Blazers would be my first choice. Far and away my first choice. I just always liked the name Wind, even when Wichita had it. The little swirling, befaced Tornado holding the hockey stick logo was pretty cool, I thought.

And it'll never happen, anyway, so no need worrying about it.