The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has refused a request by the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club to trademark the name Utah Yetis. The USPTO issued a refusal Jan. 9, citing the “likelihood of confusion” with other notable brands using the name,

The team filed trademark applications for the final six names — Utah Blizzard, Utah Mammoth, Utah Outlaws, Utah Hockey Club, Utah Venom and Utah Yeti as determined by online fan voting — with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last year.

It's been obvious for months now that the Utah Hockey Club is leaning towards "Yeti" or "Yetis" as its permanent name starting next season, but there is now a roadblock in the way. This week, Salt Lake City-based news station KSL reported that the U.