NHL Mascots Halloween Costume Contest

October 18, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings mascot Bailey celebrates the 2-1 victory against the Colorado Avalanche following the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

NHL mascots were first introduced back in 1983 when “Harvey the Hound” made his appearance with Calgary. 32 years later and the majority of teams now have a costumed mascot that makes appearances during games and other public events. The only mascot not costumed is Detroit Red Wings’ “Al the Octopus”, which is essentially a giant stuffed eight legged octopus.

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We’ve got a special top 10 for fans in the spirit of Halloween, which is now just a few days away.

Today’s countdown focuses on NHL mascots, but more particularly, their costumes. For these rankings, we’ll disregard everything except the physical appearance of the costume itself.

Unfortunately we’ve only got room for 10 NHL mascots, so the majority fell short of making the cut. Below are a few honorable mentions that just missed out in our rankings:

Tommy Hawk (Chicago Blackhawks)

Looks a little bit like a black crow with a red mo-hawk dawning a Blackhawks jersey.

Blades the Bruin (Boston Bruins)

The brown bear costume’s generic style is a contributor to falling out of the top 10. It is one mean looking bear though.

Nov 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes mascot Howler blocks the view of Toronto Maple Leafs fans during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Howler the Coyote (Arizona Coyotes)

Once again, a bit of a generic look that almost reminds you of “Wiley Coyote” from Looney Tunes. It’s a fairly well-detailed costume though.

Harvey the Hound (Calgary Flames)

The oldest of all NHL mascots sports an original look on a basic concept. A wolf-like dog look with an interesting clothing attire and distinctive long tongue.

Sparky the Dragon (New York Islanders)

Not sure where the dragon concept ties in with the team, but the Islanders colors and creative dragon head is a flashy look.

Worst NHL Mascot Costumes

Jan 25, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; NHL mascots sit with fans for mascot day at the game between the New York Islanders and the St Louis Blues at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Carlton the Bear (Toronto Maple Leafs)

He’s a beloved mascot for Toronto, but let’s be honest, the basic white polar bear may be the most uninspired mascot idea in the entire league.

Thunderbug (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Looks like a giant yellow bug, but the costume itself is overly plain. It’s at least original with some imagination, but unfortunately was a fail.

Bernie the St.Bernard (Colorado Avalanche)

Just a generic looking stuffed animal dog. Imagination was lacking on this one as well.

Next: 10th

NHL Mascots Top 10 Costume Contest

Nov 10, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi checks a net and sports a red moustache for Movember during the third period against the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens defeated the Islanders 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

10. Youppi! (Montreal Canadiens)

Originally appeared in 1979 for Montreal Expos of the MLB, Youppi! is the only mascot to switch from the MLB to NHL. He was adopted by the Canadiens in 2005 after being left in limbo when Montreal Expos moved to Washington, and Nationals adopted their own mascot.

A Winning Habit

Interesting Fact About Youppi!:

“Youppi! was the first mascot to be thrown out of a Major League Baseball game: On August 23, 1989, in the 11th inning, while atop the visitors’ dugout, Youppi! took a running leap, landing hard and noisily on its roof, and then sneaked into a front row seat. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda complained to the umpires and Youppi! was ejected, though he later returned, confined to the home team’s dugout roof, as Montreal eventually lost 1–0 in 22 innings.” Youppi! was designed by Bonnie Erickson, formerly a designer for Jim Henson, and the designer of Miss Piggy, Statler & Waldorf and other Muppet characters.

The concept itself of “Youppi!” is a tad perplexing as the character itself has never had anything to do with either team it represents.

Basically an orange hairy giant, “Youppi!” is a legend among mascots having survived so many years. He’s one of only a few mascots to have been inducted into the baseball hall of fame.

Next: 9th

Dec 16, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators mascot Gnash prior to the game against the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

9. Gnash (Nashville Predators)

Back in 1971, remains of an ancient saber-toothed tiger were discovered in a cave below the city of Nashville. To this day, it’s still the most recent dated fossil of the creature going back 9,500 years, which was a major discovery as scientists believed they had gone extinct 11,000 years ago.

Predlines

Interesting Notes About Gnash:

Gnash was injured training for the season. He broke his leg on a treadmill. “He was training hard for the season,” Devault said. “In the offseason, Gnash gains a little bit of weight. He was on the treadmill, fell off. And we learned that cats don’t always land on four feet.” Gnash does approximately 600 public appearances each year, not including the 41 home regular-season games and preseason games. The most common public events are hospital visits and birthday parties. He’s received many different types of requests. He’s been invited to weddings, where he’s walked the bride down the aisle. He’s also been invited to funerals of Predator fans. He’s also accepted prom date requests. Perhaps the strangest request? “We do a lot of fantasy football drafts,” Devault said. “That’s an odd one. We get calls wanting Gnash to do the drawing for draft orders at fantasy football parties. “

Via Wikipedia “List of NHL Mascots”:

“The character was introduced in 1998, the same year the team was founded. His trademark includes stunts: fast rappels from the arena rafters, jumping a 4-wheel/ATV off a ramp onto the ice, and a pendulum swing that takes him under the scoreboard and just inches off the ice. Gnash also dances during intermissions and pulls pranks on fans of the visiting team, usually ending with a pie in the face.”

Gnash is a blue saber-toothed tiger with one of the better detailed mascot heads, and was originally established in 1998 when the team began playing. He’s known for his in-game antics and wild stunts that have made him one of the NHL’s most recognizable mascots.

Next: 8th

Mar 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; The Dallas Stars mascot Victor E Green poses for a photo before the game between the Dallas Stars and the St. Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

8. Victor E. Green (Dallas Stars)

Unveiled in 2014, Victor E. Green drew confusion from many fans as they tried to figure out exactly what he was. We know he’s some type of green alien, that like Montreal’s mascot, has nothing to do with the team. The most accurate depiction for Victor E. Green is a fan’s tweet that described it as “The Grinch” and “Oscar the Grouch”, if they were to have a baby. He does have a weird antenna hockey stick look going on though, much like Stinger in Columbus.

Blackout Dallas

From Puck Daddy on Yahoo:

Green, who we’ll go ahead and assume was named for the man who stole hockey from Minnesota, was revealed by the team on Saturday and immediately starting doing what mascots do, which is embracing people in front of cameras.

Norman Green was essentially the man who took the North Stars out of Minnesota and brought them to Dallas.

Victor E. Green’s Mascot Bio:
Height: 84 pucks
Birthplace: A galaxy far, far away
Roommate: The Zamboni
Relationship Status: Alienated
Favorite Place: On the ice or in the stands with the Stars fans
Favorite Color: Victory Green
Favorite Book: Z is for Zamboni
Favorite Movies: “E.T.”, “Monsters Inc.” “Wall-E”
Likes: Hugs, high fours, space, Stars fans
Dislikes: Sharks, Ducks, and the color blue

Next: 7th

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7. Iceburgh (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Established in 1992 in the offseason between back to back Stanley Cup wins, Iceburgh is a play on the word “iceberg” and the city name of “Pittsburgh”. Since appearing, Iceburgh has become one of the most popular and beloved mascots in hockey. There’s nothing special or elaborate with this costume, but you’ve gotta love the look of this penguin with big bulge eyes and a goofy smile on his face.

Pens Labyrinth

IceBurgh’s claim to fame was his 1995 Hollywood appearance in “Sudden Death” starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. He was known as “Icey” in the movie, as the mascot’s suit was worn by the bad guy in the film.

Via PittsburghHockey.Net:

The Penguins’ current mascot was created at the urging of Martha Johnson (wife of former Penguins coach Badger Bob Johnson). A “name the mascot contest” was held by the team and Eat ‘n Park restaurant and Iceburgh debuted in for the 1992-93 season. Iceburgh has worn a variety of customized jerseys, some requiring two goalie size jerseys being sewn together. He usually wears a Penguins jersey with the number “00”. The costume is almost identical to that of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ team mascot, “Tux.” The only difference being that Iceburgh has an orange neck, and Tux’s neck is red. Tux also wears red gloves and Iceburgh wears black. Tux wears number “99” on his back with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins logo on the front of his jersey.

Next: 6th

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6. Sabretooth (Buffalo Sabres)

Sabre Noise

Via Wikipedia “List of NHL mascots”:

He is ostensibly a sabre-toothed tiger. From 1992 to 1998, he was also the mascot of the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League. He has a house in First Niagara Center. Before games, he rappels from the ceiling to the ice while rock music plays, and has also been known to ride a four-wheeler on the ice while followed by a spotlight. He has a t-shirt bazooka, which he uses to shoot shirts into the crowd, and plays Sabres chants on a drum. Sabretooth recently received a new blue-and-gold color scheme to match the Sabres’ then-new logo. Currently, Sabretooth wears the new logo jersey and has blue stripes. Sabretooth’s autograph can be obtained on the mezzanine level of First Niagara Center within his custom built playhouse. Buffalo Sabres PR Director Paul Wieland and Sabre employee Budd Bailey originally came up with the idea for Sabretooth in the mid-to-late 1980s in an effort to spur fan interest and replicate what the AAA Buffalo Bisons baseball team had done with their mascot Buster Bison. Team owners the Knox Family had suggested a mascot of their own and Wieland and Bailey obliged with Sabretooth.

We’re obviously only ranking the costumes themselves, but it’s the personality of NHL mascots that tends to captivate fans. Sabretooth is not only a fan favorite, but has one of the more unique costumes. The bright yellow-orange suit has what resembles stripes on the legs and body, with big yellow paws, and a sabre-toothed tiger head with two giant front teeth.

Next: 5th

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5. Fin the Whale (Vancouver Canucks)

Oil On Whyte

Via Wikipedia “List of NHL Mascots”:

Fin the Whale is the mascot of the Vancouver Canucks. He is an anthropomorphic orca. Fin is usually hanging around the Canucks, proudly beating his drum at every Canucks hockey game. His trademark move consists of steam emitting from his blowhole and his “chomping” of unsuspecting heads at Rogers Arena. Fin is one of the few NHL mascots who plays the position of a goaltender. He is 6’3 and shoots left. Fin is very affectionate towards children, having been a regular at Canuck Place, a hospice in Vancouver for terminally ill children. He is also featured in a series of animated shorts that play during games, produced by Vancouver animation studio Slap Happy Cartoons. His underwater home is known as Fin’s Place in the Georgia Strait.

Fin the Whale’s Bio:
Favourite Food: B.C. Salmon
Favourite Books: Moby Dick and Fin’s Friends books
Favourite Movies: Orca and Free Willy
Favourite Charity: Canucks For Kids Fund
Favourite Websites: Canucks.com, Canucks Kids Club
Least Favorite Team: Hartford Whalers
Hangouts: Rogers Arena, Canuck Place, Aquarium, Sea Wall
Special Skills: Shooting mist from his blowhole, playing goal (“Flops Like a Whale” style), signature head-bite, cheering on the Canucks!

Fin the Whale is often confused with San Jose’s “Sharkie”, but this killer whale is one of the most active NHL mascots outside in the community. There’s not much to the actual costume below the shoulders, but the mascot head alone is one of the most creative and unique in the NHL.

Next: 4th

Feb 11, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks mascot Sharkie performs on the ice before the game against the Washington Capitals at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

4. SJ Sharkie (San Jose Sharks)

Oil On Whyte

Via Wikipedia “List of NHL Mascots”:

On March 12, 1999, S.J. Sharkie was involved an incident during the pre-game festivities for that evening’s Sharks vs. Red Wings game. During an attempted rappel from the rafters of SAP Center at San Jose (then known as San Jose Arena), Sharkie’s jersey became entangled in the rope and rappel equipment, leaving Sharkie hanging approximately 40 feet above the ice. Sharkie remained there while the starting lineups were announced and during the singing of the national anthem. The beginning of the game was delayed 20 minutes while crews worked to rescue him. He was eventually hoisted upward to a catwalk using a secondary rope.

Sharkie may arguably be the most recognizable of all NHL mascots with the Sharks teal blue and giant grey fin on his back. He also sports giant black skates dressed in full hockey equipment. His gigantic grey and white head, and large set of chompers make Sharkie not only distinctive, but makes for one of the more stylish NHL mascots. A shark with eyebrows is a little strange to say the least though.

Next: 3rd

Jan 4, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks mascot Wild Wing holds a flag prior to the game between the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wild Wing (Anaheim Ducks)

Oil On Whyte

Via Wikipedia “List of NHL Mascots”:

Wild Wing is the official mascot for the Anaheim Ducks and has been since the inaugural season in 1993. He was named following a fan “Name the Mascot” write-in contest, where one creative fan picked a name that truly fits that Ducks mascot’s personality. Wild Wing is the first mascot in National Hockey League history to descend onto the ice from the rafters of the arena. He loves cheering on the Ducks at every home game, and even enjoys the friendly rivalry with the Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings fans. Wild Wing loves dancing and hanging out with kids, as well as visiting local hospitals and schools. Wild Wing is always available for photos, autographs, birthday parties and other personal appearances.

Wild Wing’s Bio:
Name: Wild Wing
Birthday: October 8, 1993
Birthplace: Honda Center
Hometown: Anaheim, CA
Hobbies: Dancing, hanging out with kids, playing street hockey with the Ducks Street Team, visiting local hospitals and schools, riding on the Zamboni, spending time with his good friends the Power Players.
Skills: Repelling from the rafters of Honda Center to kick-off Sunday Ducks home games.
Favorite Song: “Wild Thing”
Favorite Food: BBQ Red Wings and Los Angeles King Crab

Wild Wing has been the Ducks official mascot since their inaugural season back in 1993, which is also why he wears the number 93 on his jersey. He’s known as the first mascot to descend from the rafter’s of an arena. His costume duck head is similar to that of the one in the original Ducks jersey logo.

Next: 2nd

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2. Mick E. Moose

Jets White Out

Via Wikipedia “List of NHL Mascots”:

Mick E. Moose is the mascot of the Winnipeg Jets, as well as their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Mick debuted in 1994 for the International Hockey League’s Minnesota Moose. Since 1996, he has been the mascot for the IHL/AHL Manitoba Moose, except from 2011 to 2015, when the team played in St. John’s as the St. John’s IceCaps. The Jets recalled Mick E. Moose from the AHL in 2011 after deciding that “Ultimately, the fact that Mick E. Moose seemed to connect and resonate with so many of our young fans over the past 15 seasons kept bringing us back to our history and the possibility of retaining him as our mascot.”. Mick was introduced as the Jets’ new mascot on October 7, 2011. Mick is a brown moose, with two large antlers and wears a blue home jersey and a flying helmet. Born in Sandilands, Manitoba, Mick E. Moose began his professional mascot career at a very young age. As a young three-year-old yearling (young moose), Mick signed on with the newly formed Manitoba Moose, then playing with the International Hockey League (IHL) at the Winnipeg Arena. Mick E. Moose worked tirelessly for fifteen seasons with the Manitoba Moose as they earned the love and respect of Manitoba hockey fans. From IHL to AHL, the hockey teams changed over time, and moved to a new downtown arena, but Mick continued to pump up the crowds and excite young fans each season. Mick E. Moose finally got the call he had long waited for on October 7, 2011 when he was called up to the NHL to represent the newly moved Winnipeg Jets as the official team mascot.

Dressed simply in hockey equipment swimming in Jets blue, the giant moose head is everything with this costume. It’s a mean looking moose with a nasty grin on his face featuring a full set of pearly teeth. He’s got a giant set of antlers with angry eye-brows that give this particular costume more of an edgy look with personality. That’s good enough for runner-up in our mascot costume contest.

Next: 1st