The Vancouver...Dogwoods? Rebrand Idea Garners National Attention

[dogwoodmaple 380]

While the Vancouver Wolves are not officially planning a rebrand, there has been a petition going around the fanbase that has recommended a significant change to the franchise - changing the name from the Vancouver Wolves to the Vancouver Dogwoods.

 

It started as somewhat of a joke on social media where one twitter user, and apparent Dogwood Maple fan, suggested the name change after a big performance from Maple earlier this season.  That tweet went viral and was retweeted by thousands of Wolves fans across the globe.

 

When asked about the proposed change, Dogwood Maple was quick to laugh it off.

 

"I think we're just fine as the Vancouver Wolves," Maple said with a laugh. "But I certainly appreciate the support from fans on social media.  I work hard to do the best I can for this franchise so it's cool that people even know who I am!  I have to say, though, I saw a mock up of the logo and color scheme and everything and it looks really, really good."

 

Some social media users implied that there was some sort of locker room rift between Maple and the other players due to Dogwood being behind the entire rebrand idea.  The theory being that Dogwood wanted all the limelight for himself and was going to stage some sort of coup where he would install himself as new czar of the entire franchise.  That theory was quickly shot down, however.

 

"No, of course not!  I'm honored that it's taken off, but I in no way endorse or promoted this whole thing. For my money, the Vancouver Wolves have the best branding in all of hockey.  The mascot, the logo, the colors, everything is top notch.  And in the locker room?  Man the guys are giving me heck about it.  They're printing out the fake logos and tweets an plastering them all over my locker.  They think it's hysterical.  I can't go anywhere in the training facility without them dogging me about it."

 

But despite the good humor, Maple was able to salvage something serious out of this and continue with his good works in the local community.

 

"When I first saw the logo for the Vancouver Dogwoods, I called my agent and we got our marketing guy in touch with the person who created the logo on twitter. We decided to sell shirts, hats, bumper stickers, you name it.  All of the money we're making is going 100% back to Vancouver-based charities.  I figure if we can make life better for the people who are directly impacted by those charities, it's money well-spent.  Plus, the twitter user who came up with it only wanted to things: first, some signed sticks which we all sent his way, and second, season tickets for next year.  That was a little bit harder to come by with how rabid our fanbase is and how often we sell-out the arena, but I was able to pull some strings and make that happen.  To date, we've raised about $750,000 and we hope to hit the million mark sometime next week.  This whole thing has been really great and really shows you the potential of our great fanbase."

 

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