PWHL Reveals Names for Four Expansion Teams

The Professional Women’s Hockey League unveiled identities for its four 2026–27 expansion teams: the Detroit Clutch, Hamilton Havoc, San Jose Sea Lions and Vegas Vanguards, expanding the league from eight teams to 12. The names and logos draw on local heritage, including Detroit’s automotive and Motown roots, Hamilton’s steelmaking and landscape, San Jose’s coastline and a historic Black baseball team that featured pioneering player Toni Stone, and Las Vegas’ Mojave Desert kit fox. Women-led PWHL design teams developed the brands, with outside creative collaboration on the San Jose and Vegas identities. The teams will wear city-name jerseys in their inaugural season because branded jerseys take about 14 months to produce; redesigned jerseys are planned for 2027–28. Merchandise featuring the new identities is already available, ahead of the season’s Dec. 5–6 opening weekend.