The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has officially introduced the nicknames and logos for its four new expansion teams, marking an exciting step as these teams prepare for their on-ice debuts next month. The new teams consist of the Detroit Clutch, San Jose Sea Lions, Vegas Vanguards, and Hamilton Havoc.

This expansion is part of the PWHL’s growth from eight to twelve teams, effectively doubling the league’s size since its launch on January 1, 2024. The opening weekend for Season 4 is scheduled for December 5-6, and the unveiling of logos and nicknames follows the earlier announcement of the teams’ color schemes.

Merchandise featuring the new logos and names is now available for purchase, though fans will not see these designs on jerseys until next season. This delay arises from the branding not being ready in time for the current jersey orders, resulting in the teams wearing their city names across their uniforms for the time being.

The PWHL emphasized that each team’s identity was crafted with the community’s spirit and legacy at its forefront. Women-led design teams played a crucial role in developing these unique brand identities. Additionally, the logos for the Vegas and San Jose teams were created in collaboration with the creative agency Doubleday and Cartwright.

The Detroit Clutch's name is a reference to both the city's well-known automotive industry and the notion of delivering under pressure. The logo itself is circular in black and white, featuring an automotive wheel outlined in red, with the word “Clutch” displayed in an art deco-inspired typography.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sea Lions draw their inspiration from marine life present in the Bay Area. Their logo features the head and torso of a sea lion emerging from waves, set in a color palette of blue and sunset orange. Furthermore, the team name pays tribute to the San Francisco Sea Lions, a team from the West Coast Negro Baseball Association in 1946 that included Toni Stone, the first woman to regularly play in a major men’s professional league.

The Vegas Vanguards name reflects the pioneering spirit of the West, with the team's color scheme consisting of cactus green, desert gold, and navy. The logo features a kit fox, a species that thrives in challenging conditions native to the Mojave Desert. Notably, the fox's ears are designed in a “V” shape to symbolize Vegas.

Finally, the Hamilton Havoc draws its name from the contrast between industrial development and natural beauty in Hamilton, Ontario. The logo showcases the peregrine falcon, the official bird of Hamilton, and combines it with steel-forged lettering spelling out “Havoc.” The team’s color scheme features rusted steel, tempered gold, and orange.