In an exciting development for Utah's upcoming NHL team, owner Ryan Smith announced on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday that the team's name will be determined through a bracket-style voting process. Smith expressed his enthusiasm for involving the fans in this decision and mentioned that the voting will be conducted online. To ensure the integrity of the voting process, Qualtrics technology will be employed to handle any AI bots that may attempt to influence the results.

While Smith did not disclose the initial list of team names for the bracket, it is worth noting that seven applications for trademarks on different hockey team names have been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. These applications were submitted by a company called Uyte, LLC, through the law firm Dorsey & Whitney's Salt Lake City office. The trademarks applied for include Utah Hockey Club, Utah HC, Utah Blizzard, Utah Fury, Utah Venom, Utah Yetis, and Utah Outlaws.

Speculations have arisen as to whether these trademark applications are related to the upcoming team's official branding or if they are merely opportunistic squatting attempts. However, considering the involvement of a reputable law firm and the expenses incurred, it seems unlikely that these applications are solely for squatting purposes.

Interestingly, another trademark application for the name "Utah Yetis" has been filed by Wasatch Sports Factory in Draper. This trademark is scheduled to go live on Tuesday, indicating a potential agreement or clash with Uyte, LLC.

Smith's decision to file for multiple trademarks aligns with his intention to prevent squatting and unauthorized use of potential team names. By securing the trademarks before releasing the list of names for the bracket, Smith aims to avoid any future complications or conflicts surrounding the team's identity.

Adding to the excitement, Bookie.com has released odds on the potential team names. As of Monday morning, the odds are as follows:

- Utah Hockey Club: 3/1
- Utah HC: 4/1
- Utah Blizzard: 6/1
- Utah Fury: 8/1
- Utah Venom: 10/1
- Utah Yetis: 12/1
- Utah Outlaws: 15/1

The gambling aspect surrounding the team's name further adds an interesting dimension to the forthcoming announcement.

Although Smith has not provided a specific timeline for the naming process, he emphasized the importance of finalizing the team name before the inaugural season. As the anticipation builds for Utah's NHL team, fans and hockey enthusiasts eagerly await the unveiling of the bracket and the opportunity to have a say in naming the team that will represent their state on the ice.