ECHL's Mavericks changing name, logo

The ECHL's Missouri Mavericks will become the Kansas City Mavericks for the 2017-18 season. The name and logo change will officially take effect two months from now on June 1.

With the announcement on March 11, the team confirmed it will continue to play in the ECHL at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, Missouri — which is about 20 minutes outside Kansas City proper. The statement comes amid rumors the franchise could join the AHL and play in the hockey-ready Sprint Center in the heart of Kansas City.

In an interview with the Kansas City Star, Mavericks GM Brent Thiessen said one reason for the change was to help identify the team on a national level, pointing out that most people don't know where in Missouri the Mavericks play.

Thiessen also said the team's logos won't be changing, apart from some tweaks to identify the new name — like the new primary logo seen above.

The Mavericks originally played in the Central Hockey League as an expansion franchise in the 2009-10 season. When the CHL folded in 2014, it was one of a handful of teams to join the ECHL.