Stockton Heat, based in Stockton, California, is an American professional ice hockey team. They are the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. The franchise has a long history, originally established as the Maine Mariners in 1977, before going through several name and location changes, including the Utica Devils, Saint John Flames, Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights, Quad City Flames, and Abbotsford Heat. The club eventually became the Stockton Heat in 2015 and was renamed the Calgary Wranglers in 2022. Throughout its history, the team has maintained various visual identities, often involving fiery elements to represent the heat and energy of the sport.

The Evolution of the Stockton Heat Logo

1977 – 1987: Maine Mariners

The earliest logo for the team featured a simple yet striking design, using a red and white ship's steering wheel against a black background. The absence of text made it a clean and memorable symbol.

1987 – 1992: Utica Devils

In 1987, the logo was redesigned with a green and red color scheme. The stylized monogram resembling the Russian letter “Ц” formed the central element, with bull horns extending from the top. This logo also featured a green circular frame for a more polished look.

1992 – 1993: Utica Devils

Refining the previous design, the monogram remained the focal point but was outlined in black to strengthen its appearance. The logo was now enclosed in a thinner black circular frame, giving it a more streamlined and modern feel.

1993 – 1998: Saint John Flames

A more elaborate design was adopted, featuring a yellow hockey stick underlining the stylized logotype. The "Saint John" and "Flames" inscriptions were rendered in bold, uppercase sans-serif fonts, with a red and yellow gradient for the latter.

1998 – 2003: Utica Devils

In 1998, the team adopted a red dragon logo, exhaling flames that integrated with the uppercase "Utica Devils" text. This logo conveyed strength and power, symbolizing the fiery competitive nature of the team.

2005 – 2007: Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights

The logo evolved with a more medieval theme, featuring an armored knight’s profile in gray and black. This logo was paired with a banner-style wordmark, highlighting the team’s new identity as the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights.

2007 – 2009: Quad City Flames

The red and yellow overlapping letters "Q" and "C" were stylized as flames. The logo’s clean design and sharp lines gave it a modern, confident appearance that was easily recognizable.

2009 – 2014: Abbotsford Heat

For the Abbotsford Heat, the logo featured a sharp, dynamic wordmark with a hockey puck and a red streak, emphasizing movement and energy.

2014 – 2015: Adirondack Flames

In 2014, the logo for the Adirondack Flames incorporated a stylized "A" with a flame subtly integrated within it. This design retained the red, yellow, and black color palette, giving it a strong visual identity.

2015 – 2022: Stockton Heat

Upon the team’s relocation to Stockton in 2015, the logo was redesigned to feature a bold "S" surrounded by black and yellow flames. The emblem, enclosed in a red circle, was paired with the team name in yellow. The design retained the flame motif, reinforcing the team's fiery identity.

2022 – Today: Calgary Wranglers

In 2022, following the rebranding to the Calgary Wranglers, the team’s new logo retained the flame theme but introduced a more simplified design. The capital "W" became the central element, with delicate yellow flames at its base. The logo is sleek and minimalistic, without any additional text, making it versatile and modern.

Color Palette and Meaning

The logos throughout the years consistently utilized red, yellow, black, and white as their primary color palette. Red and yellow symbolize heat and energy, while black and white serve to contrast and highlight the dynamic shapes within the logos. The use of flames throughout the logos reinforces the team's fiery identity, reflecting the passion and intensity of the game.

The evolution of the Stockton Heat logo reflects the team's journey through various identities and locations. The flame motif has remained a central theme, tying together the franchise's legacy of fiery competition and energy. With its recent rebranding to the Calgary Wranglers, the logo has been simplified but still retains the team'score identity of heat, power, and intensity.