Seattle's NHL franchise won't get a name in the near future, the organization confirmed Thursday.

"We will wait to begin general seat selection and we look for the right time to reveal our team name and brand," CEO Tod Leiweke said in a statement. "We recognize the excitement around this, and we appreciate your patience."

Leiweke added, "We are deferring payments due in April, May, and June for those who purchased premium seating."

The league's 32nd team reportedly hoped to unveil its nickname in Q1, which ends March 31, according to the Sports Business Journal's Mark J. Burns.

Seattle will join the league ahead of the 2021-22 season and will play home games at the renovated KeyArena (now called the New Arena at Seattle Center).

The NHL put its season on hold March 12 amid the coronavirus outbreak. The spread of the virus has resulted in the cancellations and suspensions of leagues and tournaments across major and amateur sports worldwide.

On Tuesday, the Ottawa Senators confirmed that an unnamed player tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, marking the first case in the NHL.