Minor hockey team must change team logo

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The city of Thorold is demanding makeovers for two of its local hockey teams, specifically their logos, which the mayor calls offensive and discriminatory.

It’s been described as a cartoonish, stereotypical depiction of First Nations. The Thorold Blackhawks logo has been a point of contention for years but now the city is taking a stand. In a letter the city says “As of June 1st 2017 the use or display of the current Blackhawk logo for any purpose and in any manner, shall be strictly prohibited within the Thorold community arenas.”

The logo is on both the Junior B and the Thorold amateur athletic association’s minor hockey teams jerseys. Similar depictions of First Nations are worn by a number of major sports teams including the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and the NFL’s Washington Redskins.

The organization says it would cost $100 000 to rebrand and doesn’t want the cost to increase registration prices. The team has a new logo in the works, but did not say when it would be unveiled.