Toledo Walleye: New ECHL Hockey Team to Start Fall 2009
Toledo, Ohio Set to be the Home of the Newest ECHL Minor League Hockey Franchise
The Toledo area has had a minor league hockey team for years, and has gone through various incarnations, the most recent being the Toledo Storm. But Joe Napoli, the Toledo Arena Sports Manager has decided to take the team name, colors and logo in a whole new direction with the introduction of the Toledo Walleye. The logo is a blue and yellow fish with a grinning, 1 front tooth missing smile and an angry eyebrow. The Fish is holding a hockey stick and looks ready for some center ice time.
But what is the general consensus? Do the residents of Northwest Ohio like the new addition to our minor league family, that already includes the unique AAA Baseball team the Toledo Mud Hens? The merchandise went on sale early February 20th, 2008 and is already a hot seller. But what exactly do the people living in the area think of their newest sports team? I asked local resident that question, and here are some of the responses:
When we take a look at the female input I received, here are some examples. "I think it is a fun name, and a cute logo. I miss the Storm, it was a simple and powerful name and the fish does not convey the same attitude" said a local woman. Another young teenage female commented that the Walleye was "silly" and "not cool" overall, she felt that it was too cartoon like in style and attitude. A 4 year old, when shown the picture logo commented that it was "funny" and "kinda smiley"-may not be the most enlightening, but alas was from the mouths of babes.
What about some male input? After all, the games at the old Toledo Sports Arena often featured numerous men who liked to scream and shout about the games, surely that would have an opinion about the logo. Toledo overall is a nostalgic town, and many people are slow to embrace the new. This was not any different. One elderly man asked felt that the "fish looked stupid. Who would find that intimidating?" Another young man, age 29 felt that the "logo was questionable, but if there can be a Mud Hen here, why not a Walleye?" I found that the most positive response was from my 20 month old son who said "fishey" and laughed.
Overall, this logo will need to grow on the city of Toledo and its fickle fans. But I am sure it wont be long before people talk about these Walleyes, and how despite the early questionable response, in the end they were "hooked".
Published by Olin Froid
"An influence that cannot evade our consciousness will not go very deep." -CSL View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentWe need a team! Great reporting.
Gosh, there seems to be a Toledo contingent here. Walleyes probably slide well on ice.
Great reporting Olin!
Storm was a great hockey name, we have had other great hockey names, mercury's, goal diggers, buckeye's, walleye is a fish with no fight in it, someone wanted to market new merchandise, shame on you napoli, first mistake I have seen you make, but it is a whopper
I'm glad that someone finally asked for public input on this team. Now if you could only get the media and Mud Hens to follow suit. One comment that I did have was that this is not a "new" team for the league, as it already existed as the Storm and only suspended operations for two years, so technically it is not a new addition. I guess just one more reason that the name shouldn't change.
Great article! I'm not sure I like the change either. The missing tooth is really stupid! The name walleyes fits the town better, but I hope they don't name the mascot "Willie". I can't imagine how many bad jokes would come out of that. I miss the Storm.
Great article. I'm not sure I like the choice of the name but as long as there is hockey in Toledo, everyone should be happy. Wonder if they will sell many t-shirts ?
Not sure about the name of the team. I'm used to The Storm. Great article, lots of intersting information :)
Great reporting of this!