Junior A hockey team has new name

MAT-SU - Wasilla Spirit is now a name of the past.

The North American Hockey League Junior A squad based in the Mat-Su Valley, and formerly known as the Wasilla Spirit, is now the Alaska Avalanche.

The franchise recently was purchased by a local ownership group, and one of the first acts of the new owners was to give the squad a fresh identity. The team asked members of the community to submit ideas for a name, school colors mascot and logo.

Mark Lee, the team's principal owner, said there was a great response with a variety of ideas. But the idea that continued to repeat itself was Avalanche.

&#8220We thought Avalanche was a good one because we live in an Avalanche zone,” Lee said earlier this week. &#8220You'll see the force of this team rolling at you.”

Lee said Alaska was chosen - rather than options such as Valley, Mat-Su or Wasilla - to better identify the team to the young hockey players the Avalanche intend to recruit. Lee said with a recruiting base that now stretches across the country, it is easier to sell a team with the name Alaska, than it is to sell a team with the name Wasilla or Mat-Su.

The old team colors of purple and white are gone, as is the franchise's bird—meets-angel logo.

In the place will be the colors found on the Alaska flag. The logo will incorporate the Avalanche theme.

Lee said the franchise is planning an unveiling of the new colors and logo in late

June.