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Owner of the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers Peter Karmanos Jr. laughs while telling childhood stories about IMS Hockey Corporation President Costa Papista during a press conference about the transfer of ownership of the Ontario Hockey League franchise The Plymouth Whalers on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 at Compuware Arena in Plymouth.

(Erin Kirkland | The Flint Journal)

FLINT, MI -- Costa Papista was coy about the new name chosen for Flint's new Ontario Hockey League team, but he did drop a few hints while speaking to the Flint Rotary Club on Friday afternoon, March 13.

First, the name was quite popular among the 5,000 voters during a public naming contest put on by the team. In fact, 38 people suggested the same name.

"The choice was a popular suggestion," said Papista, the team's president. "It embodies some other names suggested as well."

Secondly, a Burton man chose the name and color scheme. Papista said the man will be attending the announcement.

"He's excited," Papista said.

An announcement is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, to unveil the name, logo and jersey design.

On March 6, the OHL approved the new name, logo and design.

Ten names, many of which went unconfirmed by Papista during the process, were registered with Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and were considered in play for the new team.

Included names are: "Flint Firebirds," "Flint Force," "Flint Fury," "Flint Nationals," "Flint Pride," "Flint Sparks," "Flint Spark Plugs," "Flint Tropics," "Flint United" and "Flint Vikings."

"Flint Tropics" was a popular name among fans of the 2008 film "Semi-Pro" while IMS Hockey Corp., the company behind moving the Plymouth Whalers to Flint, registered the names "Flint Firebirds," "Flint Force," "Flint Fury" and "Flint Nationals" late in the process.

Earlier in the process, IMS, which also owns Perani Arena, ruled out the return of the "Flint Generals" name so it won't conflict with the OHL's Oshawa Generals. The company also ruled out "Flint Phoenix" to not conflict with the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

During his meeting with the Rotary Club, Papista talked about the process of creating the team, including how IMS originally planned to bring a U.S. Hockey League team to Flint but withdrew an application after beginning discussions with Plymouth Whalers owner Peter Karmanos to buy the team.

Papista also talked about some of the updates IMS is doing to Perani Arena, which include outside lighting and a new sign along I-69, which received a cheer of "bravo" among rotary members and loud applause.

"It will put the building back on the map," Papista said.