The Saanich Predators – a newly named Junior B hockey club on Vancouver Island – has revealed their new logo and team colours for the upcoming season.
On Friday, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) team revealed the latest branding for the club, which features a breaching orca breaking a hockey stick.
@SaanPredators are pleased to present our new logo. Thank you @meetarray for an amazing job on the creation of our new brand. @vijhlofficial pic.twitter.com/0RSGBNHtrd
— Saanich Predators Jr. B Hockey (@SaanPredators) October 2, 2020
The new logo comes following the decision earlier this summer to drop the team’s long-standing moniker – The Saanich Braves – out of respect for First Nations. The Braves name and logo had been used since 1967, however, the team made the decision back in July to develop a new name that aligns closer to the club’s core values.
In September, the Saanich Junior B team announced it would be calling itself the Predators after a lengthy naming process that included taking feedback from the public.
After revealing the new moniker, the Predators waited a couple weeks before revealing the orca logo.
“We explored a lot of options for the logo and the orca came out on top every time. It’s a connection to where we play and a strong symbol that the guys are all very excited to wear on their gear,” said Edward Geric and Norm Kelly, team owners.
The logo features a dark grey, black, white and teal colour scheme, which will be reflected on the club’s jerseys as well. The logo was designed by team sponsor Array Web & Creative.
“We’re very excited to start playing under our new banner. We want to give a big thank you to the league, the players and the community who have all been so helpful and supportive in this process of reinventing our brand, while celebrating our 52-year history of excellence in amateur hockey,” added the team owners.
The VIJHL kicked off its 2020-21 season on Thursday night with a new cohort system.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no spectators, however, hockey fans can watch the Saanich Predators first-ever home game under the new brand online at www.hockeytv.com.
The game will be against Kerry Park at Pearkes Arena on Friday, October 2nd at 6 p.m.
Graham Cox
