Winter in Winnipeg just got a lot punnier. In a city famous for its freezing temperatures and passionate sports fans, the local government has officially embraced the humor of the season. On January 28, 2026, the City of Winnipeg crowned the winners of its inaugural 'Name That Plow' contest, unveiling a fleet of winter maintenance vehicles with names that range from Star Wars references to clever nods to local sports legends. If you thought snow clearing was a boring municipal duty, prepare to meet Emperor Plowpatine and the Brrrrr-ger Kings.
The Royal Treatment: Brrrrr-ger Kings Takes the Crown
While heavy machinery often steals the spotlight in these contests, the 2026 edition featured a special category for the city's fleet of smaller sidewalk-clearing machines. The winning team name, Brrrrr-ger Kings, was submitted by Mme. Tugby's class from École Van Belleghem. This clever play on the famous fast-food chain isn't just a pun; the students argued that the hardworking crews deserve to be "treated like royalty" for braving the cold to keep pedestrians safe.
Mayor Scott Gillingham, who announced the winners, loved the sentiment. "The submissions were incredible and the names are a fun way to celebrate the hardworking crews who keep our streets, sidewalks, and pathways cleared all winter long," Gillingham stated. As a reward for their creativity, the winning class earned a pizza party with the Mayor at City Hall—a prize that is arguably better than a burger.
Heavy Metal Humor: Emperor Plowpatine and Friends
The individual naming category for heavy equipment (graders and loaders) saw fierce competition, with residents casting over 13,000 votes to select the final dozen from a shortlist of 51. The standout winner, Emperor Plowpatine, brings a touch of the dark side to snow removal, promising to clear streets with the efficiency of a Galactic Empire. It joins a growing tradition of Star Wars-themed plow names across the globe, proving that the Force is strong with winter maintenance crews.
But it wouldn't be a Winnipeg contest without heavy references to the local sports scene. The Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers were well-represented among the winners. Slosh Morrissey (a slippery nod to Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey) and Hellebuycket (honoring goaltender Connor Hellebuyck) will now be patrolling the streets. They are joined by Kevin ShovelSnowOff, a tribute to Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, and Mark Shovele, ensuring the hockey connection is undeniable.
More Local Legends on the Streets
Football fans weren't left out in the cold. Melt Stegall pays homage to Blue Bombers legend Milt Stegall, while Grady Oliveira honors current star Brady Oliveira. Other creative winners included Sled Penner (a cozy reference to children's entertainer Fred Penner) and the simple yet hilarious contrasting name, Greg. Yes, just Greg.
A Viral Winter Tradition
Winnipeg is the latest city to join the viral trend of naming municipal snow plows, a tradition popularized by Scotland's "gritter" fleets with names like "Sir Andy Flurry." By turning a mundane necessity into a community event, the city has successfully engaged thousands of residents. The contest received over 1,700 initial entries, proving that Winnipeggers have a warm sense of humor even when the wind chill hits -40.
The new names have been printed on custom magnetic plates and attached to the vehicles for the remainder of the 2026 winter season. So, the next time you see a massive grader clearing your street, give a wave—it might just be Dancing Blade or Winnie the Plow coming to the rescue.
