PWHL Detroit, Hamilton, San Jose, Vegas announce nicknames
We now know the identities and the look of the newest teams of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
On Tuesday morning, the PWHL released the nicknames and logos of the four expansion teams set to begin play for the 2026-2027 season; they will be known as the Detroit Clutch, the Hamilton Havoc, the San Jose Sea Lions, and the Vegas Vanguards.
The Clutch is very appropriate for the Motor City, not just because of the simple anatomical part of an automobile, but also because it describes the top-end players that the team possesses and their ability to rise in key moments of a game.
The Havoc name is meant to show the balance between nature and industry in Hamilton. It’s set to highlight the “natural beauty: of the Niagara Escarpment, along with the steel mills that grace the skyline.
The Bay Area heavily inspired the name of the league’s first Californian franchise. Sea Lions are considered fun and playful, but are also intelligent and fierce protectors of their home.
Inspired by the pioneering spirit of the West, the logo features a kit fox, with the name “Vanguards” celebrating those who lead, taking on new challenges and opportunities, adding more to the spirit that goes beyond Sin City.
The teams will keep their jerseys the way they were released last month, featuring just their city names diagonally across the crest, which has now become a staple for all new teams entering the league.
Each team has its varying expectations heading into the league’s fourth season. Many argue that Detroit has assembled the best roster, with names like Hilary Knight, Daryl Watts, Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes. They also drafted well, taking Swiss goaltender Andrea Brandli with their first-ever draft pick back in June, and also taking Port Huron native Casey Borgiel in the following round.
Vegas certainly surprised a lot of teams by how they approached the offseason. General Manager Dominique DiDia drew some criticism for agreeing to the sign-and-trade of Hillary Knight to Detroit. However, the number of draft picks she received from that deal, as well as from the Vancouver Goldeneyes in the Abby Boreen trade, led her to have three picks in the first 13 selections of the 2027 draft. With that, she received big names such as Tessa Janecke, Lacey Eden and Issy Wunder. Match that up with acquiring veterans Erin Ambrose and Nicole Hensley, and the Vanguards have a very solid roster that can compete in the new Western Conference.
Hamilton might be in tough shape against some Eastern Conference teams, but they also have a solid core of veterans and youngsters alike. Former Ottawa Charge captain Brianne Jenner and former Charge teammate Emily Clark bring some offensive punch and experience to a team that also has rising Canadian stars in defender Nicole Gosling and goaltender Kayle Osborne.
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San Jose seems to be the one team that people have the most concerns about. General Manager and Head Coach Troy Ryan built a gritty roster that includes Kristen O’Neill, Maggie Connors and Corinne Schroeder, but it lacks the star power needed to succeed in the PWHL.
The 2026-27 season begins on Dec. 5, with the Havoc visiting the Montreal Victoire, with the Sea Lions hosting the Minnesota Frost. The Clutch visit the Vanguards on Dec. 6.
