Named after the Disney movie The Mighty Ducks, the team is owned by Disney. Named after the state bird of Georgia, the Brown Thrasher. Businessman Charles Adams wanted his new franchise to have brown and yellow team colors to match his stores as well as a name equated with strength and power. A fan named the team in a contest. The management held a contest and chose Sabres.
Hurricanes often make landfall in the Carolinas.
Or the northern state of Minnesota. Oil can be found in Alberta. The Florida Panther roams the panhandle area of Northern Florida. Name later changed to Hartford Whalers. The team is Canadian, Canadiens is french for Canadians.