NEW YORK — The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) revealed the branding for its four newest expansion teams ahead of the start of the 2026-27 season. Each team draws on the rich, unique culture of each respective city. “Our fans have been eagerly waiting for this moment, and we’re excited to officially introduce these new team identities as we mark another major milestone for the PWHL,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President of Business Operations. “We approached this process with great care, creating team names and logos that reflect the character and pride of each community, while staying connected to the PWHL. As we’ve seen with our first eight teams, these brands will take on even greater meaning as they are embraced and shaped by our fans and players, ultimately becoming a source of pride and a rallying cry for the communities they represent.”
Detroit has the Clutch franchise, drawing on Detroit’s rich auto-manufacturing history. Their circular logo references an automotive clutch pack and a car wheel.
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, will have Havoc reigning in their city at the TD Coliseum. The city’s state bird, the peregrine falcon, receives a metal makeover in the logo, honoring the industrial might of their steel mills and the beautiful scenes of the Niagara Escarpment.
San Jose receives another sea-dwelling mascot with the emergence of the Sea Lions. Known for their intelligence, agility, and die-hard protection of their colonies, the Sea Lion’s logo reflects the California horizon at sunset. The team name also ties to the former West Coast Negro League Baseball Association team, the San Francisco Sea Lions. The San Francisco Sea Lions featured Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball regularly in a major men’s professional sports league.
Finally, Vegas will have a Vanguard for their Knights. The Las Vegas Vanguards are represented by the Kit Fox, a resilient resident of the Mojave Desert, whose ears make a “V” for Vegas and for the hopes of the city, “V” for victory.
Seattle has its own team, the Seattle Torrent, founded in April 2025; take a look at their upcoming schedule here.
The new PWHL season starts December 5-6.