PWHL expansion teams Detroit, Hamilton, San Jose, Vegas announce nicknames

It was a big day in the PWHL on Tuesday as the nicknames and logos for the four new expansion teams was announced.

The four teams set to to begin play in the 2026-27 season will be known as the Detroit Clutch, Hamilton Havoc, San Jose Sea Lions and Vegas Vanguards.

Here’s what else you need to know.

You can see Sports Interaction’s complete list of PWHL futures here.

PWHL expansion teams

Detroit Clutch

The league described the Clutch as a nod to the city of Detroit’s automotive industry as well as a hockey player’s ability to perform under pressure. It is a circular black and white logo of an automotive wheel outlined in red with “Clutch” written across.

Hamilton Havoc

Havoc was chosen for the balance between nature and industry in Hamilton. The logo features the city’s official bird, the peregrine falcon, perched atop steel lettering spelling out “Havoc”, with a rusted steel, tempered gold and orange colour scheme.

San Jose Sea Lions

Sea Lions is a play on the mammals which populate the waters of the Bay Area. The logo is a sea lion emerging from the water with a blue and sunset orange colour scheme. The name also pays homage to the San Francisco Sea Lions, who played in the West Coast Negro Baseball Association in 1946 and featured Toni Stone, the first woman to play regularly for a major men’s professional league.

Vegas Vanguards

Vanguards was chosen to represent the pioneering spirit that helped shape the West, featuring the colours cactus green, desert gold and navy. The logo is a kit fox, which is native to the Mojave Desert and thrives under tough conditions. The fox’s ears are shaped in a ‘V’ for Vegas.

2026-27 PWHL season

The four expansion teams will play this season with their jersey’s featuring only their city names diagonally across the chest, which has become a tradition for teams in their inaugural year.

On paper, Detroit has the best roster among the expansion teams. The Clutch traded for Hilary Knight and selected Swiss goaltender Andrea Brandli with their first-ever draft pick.

Hamilton isn’t expected to be a top contender in the Eastern Conference, but they have a nice blend of veterans and young talent. Former Ottawa Charge captain Brianne Jenner highlights the Havoc’s roster.

Vegas is building more for the future after the sign-and-trade that sent Knight to Detroit. The Vanguards have three picks in the first 13 selections of the 2027 draft.

San Jose will likely have the toughest road of the expansion teams. The Sea Lions don’t boast much star power, instead focusing on icing a tougher team that includes the likes of Kristen O’Neill and Maggie Connors.

Walter Cup odds

The four expansion teams are spread out throughout the Walter Cup odds.

Detroit has the fourth-shortest odds in the league at +800, while Hamilton and Vegas sit middle-of-the-pack at +950 and +1000, respectively.

San Jose is tied with Toronto for the longest Walter Cup odds at +1600 each.

Puck drop for the 2026-27 PWHL season is slated for Dec. 5 with three games. Vancouver will host Seattle, Hamilton is visiting Montreal and San Jose welcomes Minnesota.