IE's Pro Hockey Club: Ontario Reign
Ontario Reign. That's the name operators of the trust-us-it's-coming ECHL pro hockey club have chosen for their team.
The announcement came today, chosen from more than 600 entries, according to the club's website. Mike Brewster of Fontana is credited with the submission and will get two season tickets to the club's first season, 2008-09.
The Reign will be the primary tenant at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, the $150 million building going up fast just north of I-10, between Milliken and Haven.
Not sure how much I like the name, Reign.
OK, no, I don't like it.
I've never been keen on non-plural "concept" names. Like Jazz, Heat, Galaxy, etc.
Ever notice that big-time franchises rarely go with the singular stuff? No singular team names in the NFL or in major-league baseball. Only the two in the NBA, unless I've forgotten one of them, and that's probably telling in itself.
But scads in the minors. Right around here, too. San Bernardino's California League team previously was known as "Spirit" and "Stampede." It's the Lake Elsinore Storm. Bakersfield Blaze. The Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA D-League.
Actually, I prefer the really silly plurals to almost all concept names. Such as the "Bakersfield Mad Ants" of the D-League, or the "Modesto Nuts" of the Cal League.
Reign. Hmm. I see what they're going for, in terms of the Inland Empire. An empire reigns over a territory. OK, sure. And I know it's tough to come up with a name that somebody else on the planet doesn't already have, which can screw up your website/domain name, etc. And if they are affiliated with the L.A. Kings, sure.
(Note: To read about the Ontario Reign you still have to go to ontarioprohockey.com ... no link yet to ontarioreign.com)
But to hear the word "reign" ... well, it sounds like "rain" and we don't get any of that. Sounds almost mocking. And, then, most Americans have trouble distinguishing between reign, rain and rein. So it's going to be misspelled a lot.
Mostly, it's the singular concept. I was predisposed not to like it.
What would I have preferred? I'd like to see the list of names the club got. I bet I would have liked several of them more than Reign. Maybe Ice Monsters. Emperors. Emperor Penguins. Just riffing here. Eskimos. Inland Outlaws (with In-N-Out as a major sponsor) ... Ontario Flyers, but Philly has that name ...
Reign. Hmm. Will take some getting used to. Though some names never really catch on. "San Bernardino Spirit" being the perfect example. People called the team "Spirits" right through to its first name change.
Comments
In the immortal words of that well spoken judge on American Idol, Randy Jackson, the name, Ontario Reign, is just, "Aight." I concur that, out of six hundred entries, one name could have struck more fear into the hearts of an opponent than the Reign. What would that name be? I'd have to look at the list. But there is going to be an NHL hopeful kissing his wife one day and telling her that he has to go battle "the Reign." It sounds more like a personal problem than a hockey game. But until I can come up with something better, I'll live with it. Now...the next issue, a theme song. Near as I can tell, the Reign's colors will have to be either purple and something or red and something. This way, Prince's "Purple Reign" or Peter Gabriel's "Red Reign" will become the new anthem for Ontario. If other colors are necessary, there's always Kiss' "Reign", The Eurythmics "Here Come the Reign Again," or What's his bucket's "I Love a Reigny Night." I sense that some old rehashed song is going to become quite annoying in the near future. Leaving me with a final shudder...the mascot. What on Lord Stanley's name is going to be coming into the arena to play with all the kiddies and poke fun at the officials? A Reigndrop? The Burger King Dude? Please! Let it be something that can be tough as well as funny (no offense Tremor). Hockey is a serious sport. Ontario is a serious city. Let's take this new team seriously. Reign on.
Posted by: Eric Orton | December 12, 2007 5:16 PM
An insert from the 'Ontario Reign's In' article from www.anaheimicekings.com
With the unique name submitted, not everyone is a fan of the selection. For instance, The San Bernardino County Sun/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist Paul Oberjuerge wasn't afraid to be blunt on his displeasure of the name selection in his blog. "Not sure how much I like the name, Reign. OK, no, I don't like it." He goes on to mention how he isn't a fan of non plural team names as if its a rule in team sports-- and team names like 'Ice Monsters, Emperors, Emperor Penguins', and even 'Inland Outlaws' were better selections. However names suggested by Mr. Oberjuerge connect a Los Angeles Kings affiliate franchise and the Inland Empire how? I dont ever remember seeing a Penguin in the Inland Empire and the last Emperor to take rule in Ontario was? I was waiting to hear the name selection Ontario Canadians, which I am sure would make Mr. George and William Chaffey happy.
So why Reign? Its simple. Thinking outside the 'traditional name box,' a name that ties the LA Kings AND the Inland Empire was the objective. The LA Kings 2 other affiliates (Manchester Monarchs of the AHL and the Reading Royals of the ECHL) tie the 'royalty' theme with their names. Yet tying royalty and the greater inland area was another task. Ontario is the new leader of San Bernardino County, and their residental and commercial development explosion has help them lead the pack. In essence, their Reign over the Inland Empire has made the development of the Inland Valley on an International level, which it has achieved today. With major shopping malls, the International Airport expansion and new Ontario Convention Center, Ontario is the center of it all in the Inland Empire Reign. And now with the sparking new building being constructed, what better name to tie both themes together.
Posted by: Mike | December 13, 2007 9:43 PM
OK...I'll accept the naming idea of tying Kings to Empires. However, I believe we are limited by Democracy in coming up with a fitting name for a monarchy. Probably because we just don't know. Maybe if we looked at this through the eyes of a Brit. (Not the Spears variety!)The first question that comes to mind is, "What is an up and coming king?" That's right a prince. But the Ontario Princes? That's one letter away from standing on a Rose Parade float. There are Knights, Lords, or Dukes. Perhaps the Ontario Earls? I'm kind of partial to the Ontario Knights. There's a lot of marketing opportunity in this name. i.e: The knights of the ice table, the Stick in the Stone, Knight time in Ontario...Imagine the scenes that could be played on the "jumbotron." Everything from Monty Python to Sean Connery/Richard Gere to Heath Ledger. Do you want to see the coolest goalie mask in all of hockey? Make one that looks like a Knight's armored helmet. And his stick painted to look like "Excaliber." How cool would that be?
But I digress. Viceroy? Governors? Ministers? Viscount? High Steward?
Until I see a logo, a uniform, a banner, something that says to me, "It is done," I shall, as a Knight, continue to fight for the common people of the Empire of the King(s).
Posted by: EricO | December 17, 2007 5:04 PM
Love this idea. Would have been a great name. "Knights" ... and it's not like a zillion pro teams have it. None of the major-league teams do. Maybe some minor-league teams ... but, again, no one springs to mind.
Knights. Yeah. Way better than Reign. Maybe they can have a do-over?
Posted by: Paul Oberjuerge | December 25, 2007 1:17 PM