The Gazette February 13th 1986

 CALGARY (CP) - The National Hockey League wants to blow the whistle on a Calgary firm that is marketing T-shirts and sweatshirts bearing satirical names of NHL teams.

Bill Todd, marketing manager for Ampas, has denied allegations the company is infringing on team trademarks with its crests for the Calgary Shames, the Minnesota No-Stars and the Quebec No-Dekes.

"It's a parody, an obvious parody," Todd said in an interview. "Most of the Flames have seen the shirts and think they're cute. We've had nothing but raves."

The NHL, however, doesn't see the humor, and its Toronto lawyers have written to Ampas demanding it stop production of the shirts.

The company's Calgary lawyers have sent a letter to the league replying Ampas has been careful not to use club logos or the actual names of any teams.

There is a parody on each of the NHL's 21 teams, including the Edmonton Whiners, the St. Louis Blews and the Toronto Make-Beliefs.

The company's shirts are sold in a handful of sporting goods stores and by mail.