Worcester Railers HC Name of New ECHL Team

Worcester Railers HC has been announced as the name of the newest ECHL team, set to join the “Double A” league for the 2016-17 season. The team is claiming they are the first professional hockey team in North America to add the very European-esque “HC” (for Hockey Club) at the end of their official team name.

“We do not want you to be a fan, we want you to be part of the organization with us, as a HC Member. It will be part of all we do. It will become a social organization that is based around our hockey team” said Toby O’Brien, President of The Worcester Railers HC, in the press release.

The name is based off of the Worcester-area’s strong association with the railroad industry, the logo shows a steam engine charging through the seven hills of Worcester, although I don’t believe they are actually snow-capped. During hockey season, maybe?

Colours were chosen, “to show the railroad image and represent the values of those who worked and built the city and region”. They’re not even trying anymore.

The Railers will be an expansion franchise, they aren’t the result of any other team relocating within the ECHL. The area was previously home to the Worcester Sharks of the AHL before they relocated to San Jose where they became the Barracuda for the 2015-16 season. They’ve yet to announce any NHL affiliation.