The AHL’s Utica Comets this morning introduced the new version of their logo, re-coloured to accomodate the change in NHL affiliation from the Vancouver Canucks to New Jersey Devils.
The Comets had used a blue, green, and white version of the logo (matching the Canucks) from their inaugural season of 2013-14 right up until the 2020-21 season which ended just yesterday for the team.
“We are thrilled to announce our new logo and branding for the future of the Utica Comets,” said Vice President of Creative Services Eric Kowiatek. “Keeping the Comets name has always been important to us, preserving a legacy of hockey in Utica and the surrounding areas.”
No hint of alternate logos or uniform designs for the new Comets, who are technically a continuation of the former Binghamton Devils franchise. The 2013-21 Comets will be relocating to Abbotsford, British Columbia where they will continue to be affiliated with the Canucks.
This marks the second time the Devils have placed their top-level minor league affiliate in the upstate New York town, from 1987 – 1993 the Utica Devils called the Utica Memorial Arena (now the Adirondack Bank Center) home. Several future stars suited up for the Utica Devils, such as Martin Brodeur, Bill Guerin, and Bobby Holik and were even coached by Hall of Famer Herb Brooks for a season, though they may be most remembered for their logo which traded in the “NJ” from the Devils logo for a horned “U”.