An alert reader of this blog (bet you didn’t think such thing existed, did you?) just called our attention to this interesting little tidbit. Lock Monsters Who? writes;

“Has anybody looked at the Lock Monsters web site recently? Typing in http://www.lockmonsters.com redirects you to http://lowelldevilshockey.com. Coincidence? A sign of things to come? Stay Tuned...�

Sure enough, I went there and it’s a brand new site called Lowell Hockey. It's still under construction but the address is indeed lowelldevilshockey.com.

On the heels of the romantic mascot wedding between Allie Gator and Canaligator, it looks like Louie the Lock Monster is about to bite the dust. And while the preceding sentence was just the latest in my feeble attempts at humor, there is a touch of sadness at the thought the Lock Monsters are no more.

Now, there’s been no official announcement. They’ve even prepared us for the possibility that new ownership would change the name of the team. But to actually see the process beginning is a bit of a shock to someone like me who’s a sucker for tradition, even if that tradition is built to a large degree on an empty arena.

I have no doubt whatsoever that the New Jersey Devils will make their Lowell AHL entry a success at the gate. I’ve stated previously, having management in place that knows the business of hockey inside-out can only be a plus for this struggling franchise. Changing the name from Lock Monsters to Devils, or whatever, ultimately makes little difference if the team is run right and succeeds.

Yet still, at least in this space, the Lock Monsters will be missed. Rest in Peace!

Now then…what are your thoughts on the apparent demise of the Lock Monsters name? Sad to see it go? Might as well blow it up and start from scratch? And how about a new mascot? What will it be called?

Might I suggest the new mascot be named after avid Sports Talk poster Louis Cypher? At least it matches the Devils theme!