[CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)].
via Flickr
The first current NHL team mascot to be introduced
was Harvey the Hound of the Calgary Flames. His debut game was February 16th,
1984 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Many teams were inspired by Harvey and they
soon began adopting mascots of their own. Today, 28 out of 30 NHL teams have a
mascot. Only the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers are without. The
Flyers briefly had a mascot, Slapshot, but he was retired after the 1976
season. The most recent mascot to be introduced is Hunter of the Edmonton
Oilers. He was introduced in September 2016.
Al
the Octopus (Detroit Red Wings): This is the only
non-costumed mascot of the NHL. In 1952, Pete and Jerry Cusimano, local fish
merchants, threw a real octopus onto the ice during a playoff game. The eight
legs of the octopus were meant to symbolize the eight victories that were
necessary to win a Stanley Cup back then. It then became a tradition for fans
to throw an octopus on the ice during home Red Wings games during the playoffs.
This led to the creation of Al the Octopus in 1995.
Bailey
(Los Angeles Kings): A 6 foot tall lion who wears the number 72. He replaced
the original Kings mascot, Kingston, in 2007. He was named after Garnet “Ace”
Bailey, who served as the Kings’ Director of Pro Scouting and was a former NHL
player. Ace was killed during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when the
plane he was on hit the World Trade Center.
Bernie
the St. Bernard (Colorado Avalanche): Bernie, short for
Bernard, is a 6’5” St. Bernard dog. He made his debut on October 3rd,
2009 in a game against the Vancouver Canucks. He is the Avalanche’s second
mascot, replacing Howler the Yeti.
Blades
the Bruin (Boston Bruins): A bear that made his debut on
October 28th, 2000, when he was named by a young fan, Jillian
Dempsey. Some more recent Bruins TV and online advertising has featured a
different, more lifelike mascot known only as “The Bear”.
Carlton
the Bear (Toronto Maple Leafs): A 6’4” polar bear. He made
his debut on October 10th, 1995 at the Leafs’ home opener against the
New York Islanders. He wears the number 60. He received his name and number
because the Leafs’ original home arena, Maple Leaf Gardens, was located at 60
Carlton Street in Toronto.
Fin
the Whale (Vancouver Canucks): A 6’3” orca whale. He was
first introduced for the 2001-2002 season, when a contest was held to choose
his name. He is the first official mascot of the Canucks. He can often be seen
shooting steam from his blowhole and beating on a drum during games.
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