The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) team beginning play in Detroit this season now has a name and a logo.
PWHL Detroit announced Tuesday morning that the franchise will be called the Clutch, a nod to Detroit's automotive history and its passionate sports fanbase.
Amy Scheer, the PWHL's Executive Vice-President of Business Operations, said it was important that Detroit's team reflect the city's identity and grit.
"We were inspired to create an identity that naturally represented both Detroit’s deep-rooted automotive legacy and hockey culture together, and that spoke to the strength, grit, and maker mentality of Detroit as a city and community," said Scheer. "It was fan determination that brought a PWHL team to Detroit, showing up season after season for women’s pro hockey, and we worked to capture that spirit with the Detroit Clutch, an identity that has been a long time coming for Hockeytown."
The logo is a circle that resembles an automotive wheel and a clutch, with a font inspired by Detroit's Art Deco heritage. Three circular lines in the middle of the logo resemble a vinyl record, representing the Motown sound and Detroit's rich music tradition.
There are also 24 notches around the inner circle, for the 24 players on the Clutch's roster.
The Clutch also announced on Tuesday that 25 regular-season games will be broadcast free and over the air on WMYD-TV 20.
The club, under the direction of general manager Manon Rhéaume and head coach Josh Sciba, will begin play on the road in Las Vegas on December 6. The home opener will be on December 12 at Little Caesars Arena.
Information on tickets and the schedule can be found on the Clutch's official website.
