PWHL expansion teams reveal nicknames and logos

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) unveiled the nicknames and logos for its four expansion teams on Nov. 10, 2026. The teams are the Detroit Clutch, Hamilton Havoc, San Jose Sea Lions, and Vegas Vanguards.

Team identities

The PWHL said each team’s identity was built with the spirit and legacy of its community at the center, and that women-led PWHL design teams led the branding process. The logos for Las Vegas and San Jose included collaboration with creative agency Doubleday & Cartwright.

• Detroit Clutch: The name references Detroit’s automotive legacy and delivering under pressure. The circular logo references a wheel and automotive clutch, with an Art Deco-inspired wordmark. The primary color palette is motor black, clutch chrome, hot white, and racing red.
• Hamilton Havoc: The name is inspired by the balance between industry and nature in Hamilton, with steel mills alongside the Niagara Escarpment. The logo features Hamilton’s official bird, the peregrine falcon, reimagined in steel with molten eyes, alongside steel-forged lettering. The primary color palette is rusted metal, molten steel, falcon ivory, and flame orange.
• San Jose Sea Lions: The name connects to the Bay Area coastline and the San Francisco Sea Lions of the West Coast Negro Baseball Association, which played in 1946 and featured Toni Stone. The primary color palette is coastal blue, sunset orange, tidal navy, and sea mist.
• Vegas Vanguards: The name celebrates those who lead the way and the pioneering spirit of the West. The logo features a kit fox native to the Mojave Desert, with Las Vegas’ iconic star positioned between a “V” silhouette. The primary color palette is cactus green, fox ivory, desert gold, and midnight navy.

Season details

The four expansion teams will wear city-branded jerseys for their inaugural season. The new team logos will be featured on redesigned jerseys for their second seasons. Merchandise featuring the new brands is available now at the PWHL Online Shop.

PWHL Season Four – and the expansion teams’ inaugural seasons – begins on Opening Weekend, Dec. 5-6. The Vanguards’ first game is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6, at T-Mobile Arena against Detroit.

Why it matters

The expansion doubles the PWHL’s size from its launch on Jan. 1, 2024, growing the league from eight to 12 teams. The new identities give the four markets distinct brands ahead of their first season.

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Sources

• sportsnet.ca: PWHL expansion clubs unveil team nicknames - Sportsnet.ca
• thepwhl.com: PWHL UNVEILS EXPANSION TEAM IDENTITIES AHEAD OF THEIR INAUGURAL SEASONS | PWHL - Professional Women's Hockey League
• thespec.com: Hamilton’s new PWHL team is The Havoc
• news3lv.com: Welcome, Vanguards: Las Vegas pro women's hockey team gets its name

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.