'Nighthawks' name still in the mix for Vegas team, owner says

The Las Vegas Nighthawks may be a safe bet after all.

Amid reports that the NHL's newest franchise had ruled out Thursday's leak of three potential team names, owner Bill Foley confirmed to the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Steve Carp that the Nighthawks nickname is still under consideration.

"Nighthawks is still a name we're considering," Foley told Carp, "though we are probably not going to go with the others (Red Hawks and Desert Hawks).

"Nighthawks honors a bird that is in Las Vegas and a fighter aircraft from an air force base in Las Vegas (Nellis AFB). I think Nighthawks is a beautiful name."

According to Foley, the team has also filed trademark applications for two other potential names.

The Las Vegas franchise has had a busy summer since officially joining the NHL on June 22, hiring general manager George McPhee, assistant general manager Kelly McCrimmon, and several other executives.

The team name and logo appears to be next on the docket, with Foley expecting a formal announcement in late September or early October.