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Subject: Naming Conventions. An NHL Historical Review.
Posted by: Wild Vikings
- [281071522] Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:13
What is in a Name?
November 30, 2001
The recent expansion of the National Hockey Leagues has brought us teams like the Minnesota Wild, The Mighty Ducks of Anahiem, as well as many more. To an NHL Franchise, public acceptance of your chosen name can make a big impact on the sale of your merchandise. Recently, teams have held public competitions to see who can put together the perfect name or for their franchise, but that is not a new fad as you will soon find out.
This article is a work in progress, I have found information in various places, but I am attempting to verify my findings with the applicable franchises. If you find some inconsistency in a particular teams story, please contact our webmaster by email at shark_boy72@hotmail.com
Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
This hockey franchise is owned by Disney, they named the team the Mighty Ducks after their popular kids movie of the same name.
Atlanta Thrashers.
All I know about this one so far is that they are named after their state bird.
Boston Bruins.
So, you thing the fan name submission thing to name your team is a relatively new idea? This original six team was the first to use that idea.
Buffalo Sabres.
still looking.
Calgary Flames.
This story begins in Atlanta, where the team used to play its games before moving to Calgary. The Atlanta Flames were named after a historical event during the Civil War, where Atlanta was set ablaze. When the team moved to Calgary, I think they took a vote from the public and decided to keep the same name.
Carolina Hurricanes.
Named after the powerful storms that sometimes sweep through the area.
Chicago Blackhawks.
Someone in the organization fought in the Black Hawk Battalion in the World War. The team was named after this battalion. Eventually the name was shortened to Blackhawks.
Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado. Mountains. Snow. Avalanche. No brainer.
Columbus Blue Jackets.
Not verified yet. I think this represents civil war uniforms.
Dallas Stars.
This story starts in Minnesota where French explorers, fur traders, and voyagers were instrumental in settling the area. On the State emblem is the saying "l'etoile du nord" which means the star of the north. The Minnesota North Stars were named to represent the same thing. When the team moved to Dallas, the word North was dropped.
Detroit Red Wings.
When the team was founded, the owner of the team named it after a team he used to play for. The Montreal Winged Wheelers.
Edmonton Oilers.
Edmonton named its team after the abundant Oil supply found in the Canadian Province of Alberta.
Florida Panthers.
still looking.
Los Angeles Kings.
A Canadian born entrpreneur who owned the Lakers at the time, brought the team to Los Angeles. In naming them he wanted the team to sound like royalty. The Los Angeles Kings were born.
Montreal Canadiens.
When the Montreal Canadiens came into the league, the team was comprised 100% of French-Canadians. The team was named to represent this. On a side note, the C and H in their logo represents Club du Hockey.
Minnesota Wild.
The second franchise in Minnesota got its name by having a vote from the public. Wild is meant to represent the raw natural ruggedness and beauty of the surrounding area.
Nashville Predators.
The finding of a Sabre-toothed tiger fossil in the area sparked the name for this NHL Franchise. The idea also plays into their team logo.
New Jersey Devils.
The team name is representative of some folklore in the surrounding wooded area where the "New Jersey Devil" is supposed to live.
New York Islanders.
I am told that the team used New York to attract some NY Ranger fans over, and they play on Long Island. They are therefore the New York Islanders.
New York Rangers.
All I have on this one so far is that the first name of the owner came into play. His name was "Tex", and it was "Tex's Rangers" This was a play on words as it sounded like the Texas Rangers, the police force in Texas.
Ottawa Senators.
Ottawa, the capital of Canada, named its team to represent this fact. The Senators were one of the first teams in the National Hockey League, when they came back in the 90's they adopted the old name, for the same reason.
Philadelphia Flyers.
Public voted on this name which was actually submitted as "Fliers". The team changed it to Flyers siting that it would fit better phonetically with Philadelphia.
Phoenix Coyotes.
I am not sure of the exact reason behind this one, most likely it is a combination of both. First is just the sheer number of Coyotes that are in Arizona. Secondly, is that Coyotes are percieved, by the native populations, to be spiritual animals, and are therefore often depicted in artwork from the area.
Pittsburgh Penquins.
still looking.
San Jose Sharks.
Geographically, there are a large number of sharks in this area. There is also several shark research facilities based in the area. The team's logo and name have been taking a large "bite" out of merchandise sales. :)
St. Louis Blues.
Almost turned into the Saskatoon Blues, but the NHL Commissioner stoped the deal from taking place. Anyway, the team was named after the deep roots that "Blues" music has in St. Louis.
Tampa Bay Lightning.
The abundant lighting storms in the Tampa Bay Area, pretty much make it the lightning capital of the world. That and Tampa Bay Lightning just rolls off the tongue.
Toronto Maple Leafs.
This story begins in World War I where a Army Regiment was named after the Maple Leaf depicted on the Canadian Flag, The Maple Leaf Regiment then inspired the Toronto based team to change their name to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team was formerly called the Toronto Arenas.
Vancouver Canucks.
Of course most of you know that the word Canucks stands for Canadian. There is also some folk lore involved here where a logger/hockey player named Johnny Canuck was a local hero.
Washington Capitals.
Named after the capital of the United States of America.
Winnipeg Jets.
I need some help here. Some people are telling me the Jets were named after the first player to play for them, Bobby Hull. Bobby Hulls nickname was "The Golden Jet", so that seems legit.
However, the Winnipeg Jets was a WHL team in '68, then a WHA team in '72, before finally becoming an NHL team in '79. So there must be another story in here somewhere.
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| 1 | Wild Vikings
ID: 281071522
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:16
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I figured there wouldnt be a better place to go for some opinions, or updates.
If you find different information, or would like to spruce up your favorite teams listing. Feel free to write up a new paragraph. Please try to keep it under 50 words, and let me know if you want to recieve credit for your addition to it.
Thanks :)
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| 2 | Puckprophet
ID: 27948520
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:18
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'round here , Coyotes are shot on sight...aka varmints.
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| 3 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:28
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ATL: The team's nickname, "Thrashers", was inspired by the state bird of Georgia, the Brown Thrasher, and chosen by Time Warner Vice Chairman R.E. Turner. The Thrashers are a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company.
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| 4 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:32
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BUF: Since 1970, named in a contest, with the owners looking for a new name, other than a buffalo/bison varieation.
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| 5 | Greenbelt
ID: 581115116
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:36
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I remember when the Nords were about to arrive in Denver, the new owners held a contest to pick a new name ( the town had just experienced a Turner Cup win from the Denver Grizzlies in their second season...and then were shipped to Salt Lake City where they stand today. ). The "ballot" was submitted by the team and the local rag, the Rocky Mountain News and had just five names on it. The winner by a landslide was the "Denver Cougers." ( Local radio-dunces "Lewis & Floorwax" had my fav...the "Denver Omeletes!" ) THEN, in a twist, after the winning name was announced, the new owners decided they really wanted to call the team the "Colorado Avalance" even though it wasn't even on that "ballot." Talk about banana-republic elections!
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| 6 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:41
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BOS: Businessman Charles Adams wanted his new franchise to have brown and yellow team colors to match his stores as well as a name equated with strength and power. A fan named the team in a contest.
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| 7 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:43
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DAL: The "North" was dropped from "North Stars", but the "Stars" retained because Dallas is in Texas, the "Lone Star State".
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| 8 | Greenbelt
ID: 581115116
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:44
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...and that "Canadian born entrpreneur" was none other than the late Jack Kent Cooke who moved his hoops team...the Minneapolis ( Land of the ) Lake(er)s to L.A. Sold the teams and bought the Washington Redskins, ran around with questionable young girls, built a new barn, croked, and left everyone to fight over it all...wotta guy!
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| 9 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:47
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CBJ: The Blue Jackets name pays homage to Ohio's contributions to American history and the great pride and patriotism exhibited by its citizens, especially during the Civil War as both the state of Ohio and the city of Columbus were significantly influential on the Union Army. Ohio contributed more of its population to the Union Army than any other state, while many of the uniforms worn by the Union soldiers were manufactured in Columbus. The Capital Blue in the Blue Jackets uniform is similar to that worn by the Union Army. The blue conveys stability and tradition. The red represents pride, while the electric green brings a unique and distinct element. The team's primary logo ties this theme of tradition and history to the modern day. The team's primary logo features a star-studded red ribbon unfurled in the shape of the team's initials, CBJ, with an electric green hockey stick cutting through the center to represent the "J". The 13 stars represent each of the original 13 U.S. colonies and signify patriotism. The star on top of the stick signifies Columbus as the state capital of Ohio. The team's mascot, Stinger, sports a blue Civil War cap, bulging red eyes and electric green beak. Stinger embodies the personality and attitude of the team. Stinger gives the team its flair.
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| 10 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:49
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DET: Since 1926, originally the Cougars, changed to the Falcons in 1929, then changed to the Red Wings. Then team president James Norris named it in honor of a team he had played with - the Montreal Winged Wheelers. The logo was perfect for the Motor City.
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| 11 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:50
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FLA: H. Wayne Huizenaga wanted to draw attention to the Panther, an endangered native wildcat of Florida.
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| 12 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:51
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LOS: Two sources I found actually say that LOS was named through a contest.
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| 13 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:53
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NJD: Comes from a legend: a witch allegedly gave birth to a demon known as "Jersey Devil" in 1735. The Jersey Devil was alleged to be a half-man, half-beast that stalked N.J.'s Pine Barrens or the area surrounding Lake Hopatcong for 250 years, causing fear and terror and basically mutilating his victims in an extreme display of guts and gore. Others say the Devil was the 13th child of Mother Leeds, jinxed by gypsies.
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| 14 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:53
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NYI: The name came from a suggestion made by original co-owner Roy Boe's wife. Instead of naming the team the Long Islanders, she suggested calling the team the New York Islanders in an effort to win over some unhappy New York Ranger fans.
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| 15 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:56
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OTT: In honor of old Ottawa Senators hockey team that won 6 Stanley Cups. Originally: as Canada's capital, the nickname for 1901 amateur team. Also, Ottawa is the Capital City of Canada, and where the Senate is located.
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| 16 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 16:58
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PIT: The management held a contest and chose Penguins, partly because the team is in PENnsylvania, or named after their home arena, the Civic Arena, nicknamed "The Igloo" because of its igloo shape. Take your pick. Probably a combination of both.
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| 17 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 17:01
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SAN: Contest. Out of 5,000 entries, officials picked Sharks. 7 varieties in Pacific Ocean, several shark research facilities in area. One part of Bay Area is known as Red Triangle due to its shark population.
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| 18 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 17:02
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STL: Then owner Sid Salamon, Jr., drew inspiration from the famous song by W.C. Handy.
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| 19 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 17:03
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TAM: It's not "pretty much" the lightning capital of the world. It is the lightning capital of the world. 17 years of it and I wasn't too sad to leave town. ;)
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| 20 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 17:04
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TOR: Since 1916, originally named the Arenas, renamed the St. Patricks in 1919 to draw the Irish fans. Then, in 1926, renamed by the owner Conn Smythe, from inspiratin from an old Toronto team called the East Maple Leaves, and when Smythe bought the team, he changed it after the Maple Leaf Regiment of the First World War, and for the Maple Leaf on the Canadian Flag.
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| 21 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 17:06
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WIN: Then owner Ben Hatskin asked his pal Sonny Werblin, then owner of the National Football League's New York Jets, for permission (no date, so could be asking for permission because of Hull). Also, since 1972, named for their first player in franchise history, "The Golden Jet", Bobby Hull. That takes care of things back to '72, but not '68. Seems to be some contradiction everywhere I look.
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| 22 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 17:07
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Hope this helps round things out a bit.
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| 23 | Greenbelt
ID: 581115116
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 17:23
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I think you overlooked that team outta Kansas City... ;-}
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| 24 | ¤ Mario LeMoose ¤
ID: 431140118
Sat, Dec 01, 2001, 18:40
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KKB: More on lightning from floridaenvironment.com (Real Audio clip).
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| 25 | Justin
ID: 10112713
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 11:07
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Getting into the details...
ANA: The name of the team, as well as the movie, is "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim" --- not "Anaheim Mighty Ducks".
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| 26 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 11:28
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MIN: The only team in the NHL whose name is not plural. One of very few professional sports teams whose name is not plural.
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| 27 | Samuli
ID: 3104968
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 11:33
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What about Colorado Avalanche? Is that considered to be a plural form? I'm asking 'cos my english isn't too good.
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| 28 | ¤ Mario LeMoose ¤
ID: 51134211
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 11:34
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What's the singular of Avalanche and Lightning?
;-)
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| 29 | Justin
ID: 10112713
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 11:35
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Non-plural team names...
How about Lightning or Avalance?
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| 30 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 11:39
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Damn, you guys are harsh (and fast for a Sunday!). Forgot about them. Need.....more.....coffee..... ;)
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| 31 | Justin
ID: 10112713
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 11:51
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I just couldn't help checking the NFL, NBA and MLB teams :)
Non-plurals are:
Miami Heat
Orlango Magic
Utah Jazz
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| 32 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 12:03
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At least the last part of my statement was right. ;)
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| 33 | Luke Warm
ID: 135191422
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 13:16
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Apparantly whoever gave the leafs their name had problems in english too...
Should be the Toronto Maple Leaves
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| 34 | ¤ Mario LeMoose ¤
ID: 171131213
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 13:31
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Major League Soccer:
"Singular" Team Names
1. New England Revolution
2. Los Angeles Galaxy
3. Tampa Bay Mutiny
4. Chicago Fire
5. Miami Fusion
6. Columbus Crew
7. Dallas Burn
8. D.C. United
"Plural" Team Names
1. MetroStars (no city/state name ... now that's unusual for a New York/New Jersey team)
2. Colorado Rapids
3. Kansas City Wizards
4. San Jose Earthquakes
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| 35 | quik_ag
ID: 368423022
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 15:50
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yeah.. newer teams are tending to stray from the plural names thing. it was in vogue for a few years, but now seems a bit cliched. if memory serves me correctly, i think the women's major league soccer teams are singular as well.. and then there was the xfl.. it seems closer to 50-50 singular/plural these days..
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| 36 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 16:41
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Actually, all but 1 of the XFL Teams were plural. "Maniax" is just a grammatical play on "Maniacs" and "Hitmen" is still plural. Orlando "Rage" was the only one.
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| 37 | quik_ag
ID: 368423022
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 17:02
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ok well.. if not singular, at least lacking an ending 's' :-p
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| 38 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 17:33
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Yeah, I'm waiting for the first team to actually switch to a "z" to be "kewl". Maybe the LA Lakerz or the Philadelphia 76erz?
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| 39 | butt
ID: 301122219
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 19:22
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Like the Utah Starzz (double "Z" to match their male counterparts)?
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| 40 | KrazyKoalaBears
Donor
ID: 266182910
Sun, Dec 02, 2001, 20:53
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Nah, I'm talkin' 'bout "We-gonna-be-da-hip-hop-hoopsterz" style. The Starzz just played off their hometown herozz (goatzz?) I want someone to go out on a limb and do it fo' real. ;)
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| 41 | RueJoyce
ID: 1910552821
Mon, Dec 03, 2001, 00:49
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Actually KKB, the Maple Leafs couldn't refer to the maple leaf on the canadian flag, which was adopted in 1965...Maybe it's the other way around :)
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| 42 | Wild Vikings
ID: 281071522
Mon, Dec 03, 2001, 01:09
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RueJoyce, I think KKB's comment was actually my mistake. Here is a correction.
The Maple Leaf was named a national emblem in 1836 by a newspaper called LeCanadien. From there its popularity grew.
Every Canadian olympian since 1904 has worn the MapleLeaf. This inspired Army Regiments in WWI & WWII to have the Maple Leaf on their Regiment badges.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were named after the Maple Leaf Regiment of WWI, and obviously its national ties.
Then in February of 1965 it was adopted into our new flag. I would like to see the other proposed flags.... Northern Lights over the arctic setting?!? Three Maple Leafs on blue....
Wanna learn more about the Canadian Flag? Click here
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| 43 | ¤ Mario LeMoose ¤
ID: 501552621
Tue, Feb 26, 2002, 21:55
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Ladies and gentlemen, stand and cheer for your ... Kamembe Lightning?
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| 44 | Puckprophet
ID: 27948520
Tue, Feb 26, 2002, 23:05
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nice link WV , thankfully i didn't have to lower to half mast Sunday...
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| 45 | Puckprophet
ID: 27948520
Tue, Feb 26, 2002, 23:35
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link here's a less than stellar link...
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Post a reply to this message: (But first, how about checking out this sponsor?)
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