Walleye, a moniker the Mud Hens first sought through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in May of 2005, will be announced as the mascot for pro hockey in Toledo at an 11 a.m. news conference today.
It’s not bad enough you’ve got to stick us with a wacky animal mascot… but this? The Chiefs, Bombers, Falcons, Gladiators, Everblades, and Nailers are going to fear… The Walleyes?
Here are some choice cuts from the press release:
Toledo Arena Sports General Manager, Joe Napoli said, “There are the Biscuits of Montgomery, the Nuts of Modesto, the Lugnuts of Lansing, and of course, the Mud Hens of Toledo. What makes these team names amongst the most popular in Minor League sports? Not a whole lot, until you develop a word mark, logo and mascot that is unique, indigenous and fun for all age groups.”
The Mud Hens get a pass because they’ve been around for ages (oh, yeah, and MASH. Can’t forget MASH). The Biscuits are awesome because I enjoy biscuits with butter and jam on Saturday mornings. This is trying too hard. Plus, not to mention, that all of those teams are baseball teams. They can get away with teams like the Red Barons, Osprey, and the Isotopes. With the exception of the Manitoba Moose and the Macon Whoopie, hockey teams generally aren’t “fun for all age groups.”
Here with further analysis, are the Lucas County Commissioners:
Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak said, “Like so many hockey fans in Lucas County, I can’t wait to catch Walleye fever in our great new multi-purpose arena. This team will be a “reel” treat for all Lucas County families.”
Commissioner Pete Gerken added, “Lucas County’s hockey fans are only surpassed by the thousands of walleye enthusiasts who travel to this area each year. The Toledo Walleye will ensure that fans are “hooked” to great hockey games time and time again.”
County Commisioner Ben Konop said, “I am proud to see that Toledo Arena Sports has taken the advice of the public and chosen a name that is unique to our community. The Toledo Walleye is a proud representation of one of Northwest Ohio’s great trademarks. I look forward to seeing the Toledo Walleye on the Ice in 2009.”
I can almost see Konop sitting at his desk, reading the press release… “Damnit, why didn’t I come up with a snappy pun in my statement? Maybe I can come up with something at the press conference… watching the Walleyes will be a swimmingly good time? No… You’ll be able to enjoy this team without filleting your wallet? No… Walleye don’t want to miss the first game? PERFECT.”
Why am I throwing a big hissy fit? Hell if I know; I’m sure the name will grow on me with time (If Akron can have “Fear the Roo”, why not “Fear the Fish?”). But it’s frustrating to see such a golden opportunity to create something truly cool, and instead of swinging for the fences, the powers that be call for a bunt single. It’s safe. It’s animal-based. It’s also completely uninspiring.
Ahhahaha. I knew it was going to be terrible.
Good lord I hope that’s not the final logo too.
I disagree with Ben Konop’s comment: “I am proud to see that Toledo Arena Sports has taken the advice of the public and chosen a name that is unique to our community.” I don’t believe that the public had ANY input in deciding the name of the Walleye hockey team.
As pointed out by The Blade, this was determined and practically carved in stone back in 2005 when they applied for the trademark. The only outlet for public input about the hockey team was your blog, which does not represent a good cross-section of the actual crowd that would attend the games. The outcry about the Woodpeckers really overshadowed any input about the Walleye; It is basically the lesser of two evils.
What about the history of Toledo sports?!? I thought that one of the mission statements of the Mud Hens organization was to PRESERVE the history of sports in Toledo. If that is true, why are they taking it upon themselves to dictate the name of a sports team that has had a large presence in our town going back 60 years without any public input? There is no reason that they could not have sought after the rights for the Goaldiggers (which had actually been owned in part by citizens of Toledo at one point) or the Storm (which was named using a public contest.) Those names are unique, marketable, family friendly, and of course have a huge history in the area (seeing that they were our previous teams.) The Mud Hens could have just as easily come up with new/improved logos (using a TOLEDO-BASED marketing firm), made sure the environment in the new arena is family friendly, and incorporated mascots from the former teams.
How lame can you get, walleye? If they were going to name it after something you eat why not ham sandwich. Then the colors, a team in ohio with michigan colors. How pathetic is that. I have been a fan of Toledo hockey for years. I have attended many Hornets, Goaldiggers and Storm games, I am not looking forward to seeing walleye on ice, I can see that at the supermarket. My kids and I were talking last night and in about 15 minutes we came up with dozens of names better than walleye. Arrrgghhh
Toledo Walleye? are you serouse, out of every possible name the so called “experts” can think its a fish that is that frightening. I mean thats askin to get ur butt kicked, the toledo storm was a name that was feared cuz u werent just scared of the crazy team, but of the crazier fans. I mean now with this least threatening name they are gonna be lucky if they can fill half the seats the first seson, and baby blue as one of the colors, come on this is a proffesional hockey club known for its roughneck style of hockey, baby blue does not make me think of anyone getting hit, just the person who is wearing the ridicoulus color. if u want to make a name that is part of ohio then how about the Toledo Lakers, or the toledo cardinals (state bird), or my favorite the Black Racers (state Reptile), You could even name it the toledo Bucks and i would be satisfied, but the walleyes comeon, for being a toledo hockey fan my whole life i am very disappointed in this new symbol of what we are suppose to call our team, but i guess we have no choice but to get used to it, i can only hope that the stadium will be nice and be able to maintain a good atmosphere and that they might think about moving to the AHL since they decided to change the name.
A team in Ohio with Michigan colors… umm, Toledo Rockets, anyone?? Grow up
I know that the Mud Hens organization wants nothing to do with the Storm franchise, but Toledo Walleye??? The name sucks and the logo is even worse! The only people who are excited about the name are employees of the Hens oranization, members on the LCC, and the Media. Why didn’t they let the fans submit possible names of the team instead of some rediculous mascot. Im sure the fans could of come up with much better names then Walleye. I mean how many people do you know that fish for walleye in Toledo? Last I check it was in Maumee and the Walleye capital, Port Clinton. So now Toledo hockey will be known for the best tasting freshwater fish flesh as it’s name. Can’t wait to see what they name AFL2 team.