Top 15 "Hockey Names" From The Ontario Hockey League

By: JEFF BLAY

I thought it would be cool to compile a list of the best "hockey names" that you can find on current rosters around the OHL. The criteria is first and last names that are very unique; names you wouldn't normally hear, and names that sound destined to be a hockey player. We're staying away from the John Smiths and simple, common household names. I've included the pronunciation for some of the more complex names, and the meaning/origon of others. Hope you enjoy!

1. Slater Koekkoek (kew-kew), D, Peterborough Petes, Mountain, Ontario, 1993

- Slater \s-la-ter\ as a boy's name is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Slater is "hewer of slates".

What a name this is; just sounds like he would be a nut on the ice, and he is. Slater always reminds me of the tough-guy character from Saved by the Bell, but that's the only time I've ever heard the name used. The combination of his first and last name flows well and just makes for a great name for announcers to say during a game.

2. Remy Giftopoulos, LW, Ottawa 67's, Ancaster, Ontario, 1993

- Remy \r(e)-my\ as a boy's name, is of French origin, and the meaning of Remy is "from Rheims". Champagne and brandies are the main products of Rheims, a town in central France. Saint Remi (fifth century) was a French saint. 

Another exciting name, Remy is rare these days as a first name, and with a long last name like Giftopoulos, it gives this kid a unique name like no other that looks great on a roster. 

3.Barclay Goodrow, LW, Brampton Battalion, Aurora, Ontario, 1993

- Barclay \b(a)-rc-lay, bar-clay\ as a boy's name is pronounced BAR-klay. It is of Scottish and Old English origin, and the meaning of Barclay is "birch tree meadow".

Doesn't this name just have a nice ring to it? Very rare these days in North America, but a solid name nonetheless. 

4. Boone Jenner, C, Oshawa Generals, Dorchester, Ontario, 1993

- Boone \bo(o)-ne\ as a boy's name is pronounced boon. It is of Old French and Latin origin, and the meaning of Boone is "good".

The name means "good", what a luck charm to have for a hockey player. The name sounds rough around the edges, and again, flows well. But for some reason, it always makes me think of the name Boo Radley, a character from the classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.

5. Kerby Rychel, LW, Windsor Spitfires, Windsor, Ontario, 1994

- Kerby \k(e)-rby, ker-by\ as a boy's name is a variant of Kirby (Old German), and the meaning of Kerby is "settlement by a church".

Son of Warren Rychel, the name Kerby is definitely not one you hear too often. Solid last name for a hockey player, and a unique first name to put the icing on the cake. However, the only Kerby I can think of is Kerby the Elf from the classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer television film. You know, the little elf who wants to be dentist...

6. Kale Kerbashian (ker-bash-E-an), LW, Sarnia Sting, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 1990

- Kale \k(a)-le\ as a boy's name is a variant of Cale (English) and Karl (Old German), and the meaning of Kale is "free man".

Great, strong first name, with a last name that has a striking resemblance to Kardashian, the last name of OJ Simpson's lawyer and now famous Reality TV family. He's having a solid season as well. 

7. Keevin Cutting, D, Owen Sound Attack, Bracebridge, Ontario, 1992

This name doesn't even show up in the baby names book, but the closest thing to it is Kevan, which is derived from Irish, Gaelic. Not sure if there is a connection there, but either way it's a cool first name with a an equally cool last name.

8. Norm Ezekiel (ez-E-kee-ul), D, Barrie Colts, Innisfil, Ontario, 1991

- Norm \n(o)-rm\ as a boy's name (also used as girl's name Norm), is a variant of Norman (Old German), and the meaning of Norm is "northerner".

Haven't heard the name used since Norm MacDonald, famous Canadian actor. The last name is what does it for this kid, and although he's small he's nasty on the ice, and the name suits it well. 

9. Bjorn Krupp, D, Belleville Bulls, Manhattan Beach, California, 1991

- Bjorn \b-jo-rn\ as a boy's name is pronounced bee-YORN. It is of Scandinavian and Old Norse origin, and the meaning of Bjorn is "bear". Variant of Bernard. 

Not only is this kid from one of the coolest places in California, but his name sounds neither Canadian or American. Not too often you hear about players coming to the OHL from California, and living in Belleville to boot must have been a culture shock for someone who was lucky enough to be born in Cali. Unique name nonetheless.

10. Nail Yakupov (ny-EEL, yak-ew-pov), RW, Sarnia Sting, Russia, 1994

Another name that has no meaning in the baby books. Some people say it's pronounced just Nail (yep, like a hammer and nail), but some say Ny-eel; sounds more correct so we'll go with that. The name looks cool, sounds good, and the '94-born rookie currently has 45 goals and 45 assits to back it up. Cool name, great player who has already earned the attention of scouts around the world and if he plays his cards right, could be the first overall pick next year.

11. Kyler Nixon, D, Barrie Colts, Everett, Ontario, 1993

- Kyler \k(y)-ler\ as a boy's name is of Danish origin, and the meaning of Kyler is "bowman, archer".

Rare first name, last name that accents it well. As listed above, it means "archer", great name for hockey as it can be translated into sniper. Too bad the kid plays defense.

12. Mavric Parks, G, Saginaw Spirit, Eganville, Ontario, 1990

This name doesn't come up in the search results either, although it does when it's spelled Maverick; the name Tom Cruise uses in the classic movie Top Gun. Although it's spelt differently, still a great name.

13. Rickard Rakell, C, Plymouth Whalers, Sollentuna, Sweden, 1993

- Rickard \r(i)-cka-rd\ as a boy's name is a variant of Richard (Old German), and the meaning of Rickard is "powerful leader".

Listed in the last few because it's a fairly common name in Europe, but still has a cool sound to it - especially for a hockey player. It also means "powerful leader", which is a good trait to have as a hockey player.

14. Kalle Ekelund (cal-E, Ek-lund), D, Peterborough Petes, Nybro, Sweden, 1990

Known as a different spelling of Cale or Kale. Another cool name for a Swede, and another Peterborough Pete. The team is stacked with unique names.

15. Johnson Andrews, F, Niagara IceDogs, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, 1991

- Johnson \jo(hn)-son\ as a boy's name is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Johnson is "son of John"

Although both Johnson and Andrews are common last names, you don't too often find Johnson as a first name. Together, it has a nice ring to it and definitely sounds like the name of a hockey player.

Best Names for a Certain Team (CHL):

Jared Knight, London Knights

Wheaton King, Brandon Wheat Kings