More Than Mascots

More Than Mascots: The Story Behind the Team Names for Season 2 of the San Diego Unify Elite Draft League

The new season of the San Diego Elite Draft League will bring elevated talent, a superior league format, and… refreshed team names and uniforms.

Teams and players this season will be outfitted in slick Unify jerseys that deliver quintessential roller hockey vibrance and draw inspiration from our beloved southern California heritage.  

As we gear up for Season 2, we’re proud to introduce the official names of our four new teams, each one carefully chosen to represent a unique piece of San Diego. 

These aren’t just mascots. They’re symbols. Each name tells a story—of our coastlines, our wildlife, our local history, and the spirit of San Diego roller hockey itself.

Leucadia Longboarders

With warm sun, sandy beaches, and some of the best waves on the West Coast, the surf culture of San Diego is second to none. The Leucadia Longboarders honor this legacy, drawing inspiration from the laid-back beach town of Leucadia—a hidden gem nestled along the North County coastline.

Home to world-class surf breaks like Beacon’s and Grandview, Leucadia has long been a haven for surfers chasing smooth rides and a slower pace of life. The Longboarders name captures that classic California surf vibe: cool, confident, and flowing with creativity. 

Time will tell if the team can capture the energy behind their name—calm under pressure, smooth in transition, and always ready to ride the wave.

Cardiff Stingrays

The Cardiff Stingrays present a name that connects both ocean life and hockey history.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, just south of Leucadia, is known for its stunning tide pools and vibrant marine ecosystem. Among the many sea creatures that call this coast home are stingrays—graceful, stealthy, and powerful when they need to be. But the name Stingrays also pays tribute to the roller hockey club that once played out of the Escondido Sports Center. A number of EDL players this season were on the original Stingrays.

The Cardiff Stingrays fuse the natural strength of the ocean with the legacy of local hockey, reminding us that toughness can come with elegance, and that roots run deep here in San Diego.

Balboa Pandas

San Diego wouldn’t be what it is without its world-famous zoo, and the Balboa Pandas are a tribute to the incredible work happening right in the heart of the city.

Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo® is one of the most respected conservation institutions on the planet. For decades, the zoo has served as a sanctuary for rare and endangered species—none more iconic than the giant panda. In 2024, the San Diego Zoo introduced two giant pandas into their newly refreshed and expanded exhibit area that emulates the pandas’ native habitat in China.

Pandas symbolize the balance between gentleness and power. As the league picks up, we’ll see if the team can find good fortune and live up to their name by playing with finesse and strength.

Escondido Rhinos

Last but not least, we have the Escondido Rhinos, a name inspired by the incredible work being done just up the road at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park®.

Located in Escondido, the Safari Park is a sprawling conservation center that provides massive, open-range habitats for animals like elephants, giraffes, and—you guessed it—rhinos. The park plays a critical role in global wildlife research and has been especially active in saving northern white rhinos from extinction, using cutting-edge science to bring species back from the brink.

If the team can harness the power of rhinos and the efforts of the Safari Park, then expect them to skate with urgency and refuse to give up battles.

A League Built on Local Pride

When players pull on these jerseys, they’re not just representing a name. They’re carrying a piece of San Diego pride—slices of local culture to respect San Diego roots and breathe fresh life into the league.

From beach breaks to conservation breakthroughs, the stories behind the Longboarders, Stingrays, Pandas, and Rhinos are rooted in what makes San Diego special.

Welcome to Season 2 of the San Diego Elite Draft League. Let’s make it count.