Chicago Express logos unveiledToday, the ECHL's newest franchise unveiled its name, colors and logos. The Chicago Express will begin play in Hoffman Estates, Ill. in the 2011-12 season.

The name was selected from the "Name Your Hockey Team" contest held by the organization this summer. The reason was explained in an article on the team's website:

Chicago is the most important railroad center in North America. More lines of track radiate in more directions from Chicago than from any other city. Chicago has long been the most important interchange point for freight traffic between the nation’s major railroads and it is the hub of Amtrak. Chicago ranks second (next to New York City) in terms of volume of commuter rail passengers each day.

I like the colors. The logos are about what we've come to expect from minor league hockey teams. They get the job done. But here's what I noticed: The designer used the Icethetics font for the word EXPRESS in the primary logo! It's called Continuum. I think that's kind of funny.

Anyway, there's an article about the name contest winner on their website as well. His name is Marc Johnson and he is stoked, as you would imagine. No jerseys have been unveiled yet and the team won't actually begin play until next season.

And by the way, based on the reaction to yesterday's renaming of the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack to Connecticut Whale — this is going to be fun. Comment away.