Worcester Railers Changing Their Name — But Only For The Weekend

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester's hockey team is rebranding, but just for one weekend only.

The Worcester Railers will become the Worcester Monkey Wrenches. The team's tradition of taking on its alternate identity is meant to honor the invention of the Monkey Wrench in Worcester more than 180 years ago.

Monkey Wrenches Weekend kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 28, with the team playing at 6:05 p.m. The team will play again on Sunday, Mar. 1, at 3:05 p.m. Throughout the weekend's events, the Railers said there will be three different logos, a specialty jersey, new merchandise, a hat giveaway, and more.

The team is also hosting a game called "Monkey Business Prank Wars." Fans have the chance to win more than $500 by submitting a video of their best prank. All videos must be submitted by Friday at 11:59 p.m. The finalists will be selected by the Worcester Railers, and the winner will be selected by fans at the game on Sunday.

You can find tickets for both games here, and learn more about the prank competition here.

History Of The Monkey Wrench

The Monkey Wrench, an adjustable tool with a fixed upper jaw and movable lower jaw, was invented right here in Worcester back in 1840. The innovative device was created by the Loring Coes & Coes Wrench Company.

Later in 1909, the Coes family advertised a six-foot-long "key" wrench, shaped like a monkey wrench, for use on railroads, which ties it to the Railers.

"Worcester Monkey Wrenches Weekend is a weekend to celebrate innovation and the city of Worcester," the team wrote on its website.

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