Theme Week - Team Rebrand

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With the current political climate and majority of companies temporarily or permanently closing down show in Russia. The VHL has followed suit and decided to move and rebrand the Moscow Menace. Revenue has been down and no one outside of Moscow wants to see the team play so the VHL has decided to move the team.

While the Moscow fans might not be happy, there was no viable way to keep the team going in Russia as no one outside of Russia was willing to support the team any longer.

 

“While the team was playing great and being manager great, it was still losing money and none of our sponsors wanted anything to do with it. We know it’s not the hockey teams fault but we have to follow suit with what everyone else out there is doing. Maybe in the future we will be able to return” A league representative was heard saying.

There was lots of cities bidding for the potential move but only one city stood out which would not move the team too far and would still have enough support internally. That city is Vinius in Lithuania. It is in a suitable location to all the other VHL teams and has many ways that fans and other teams can reach the city. Wheter by Bus, Train or flight.

Lithuania currently does not have a professional hockey sports team and this will put the city and country on the map in the field of Hockey. There was lots of excitement surrounding the rebrand as the team and VHL announced the teams official name.

The team has also announced they will be rebranding from Moscow Menance to the Vinius White Storks. The white stork is the national animal of Lithuania and everyone involved this would be the best way to represent the team in the VHL. There was no logo announced yet but the team has said one will be available in the next few weeks. We can’t wait to see what the graphics team will come up with.

 

The team will play at the Pramogu Arena which has a capacity of 4000 people until the team and city build a newer up to date arena that is up to the VHL standards. The VHL will help with 50% of the costs and the arena is expected to be finished in time for the S97 season. The first official game in Vinius colors will be the start of S94, as the league is allowing Moscow to finish off the season.

 

We spoke to a few new fans in Lithuania about the move and here are some quotes.

 

“I think this will be great for the city and the country. We are known for Basketball in the sports world but that’s about it, I think its time we show the world that we can also play hockey”

 

“I always dreamed of watching professional hockey and never though a team would actually come here to Vinius. This is a great opportunity for us and I hope the team can stick around for the foreseeable future”