The Top Five
5. Iceburgh (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Double points for that creative nickname. Not only does it refrence the ice, it also references the hometown city. Everybody loves penguins. They’re so cuddly and adorable. Iceburgh is both. But what really separates Iceburgh from everyone else is he was robbed of an Oscar. Any time you’re good enough to be in a movie, you know you’ve made it as a mascot.
4. Sabretooth (Buffalo Sabres)
Sabretooth has everything you want in a mascot. He’s funny looking. Kids love him. He resembles a cartoon character (definitely has some Tigger in him). Every time you see Sabretooth, you want to run up to him and give him a big old hug. He’s a bit close to Gnash, but Sabretooth is distinctly different. The Sabres have used him as their mascot since at least the early 1990s.
3. Bailey (Los Angeles Kings)
Only one NHL mascot has a stronger online presence than Bailey. His twitter account has over 50,000 followers and he often starts online feuds with opposing fans (usually celebrities). Bailey’s got the cuteness and the slight intimidation factor. Moreover, everybody loves his in game antics. He’s the second best jerk among NHL mascots.
2. Gritty (Philadelphia Flyers)
I’ll admit, I was very skeptical and critical of Gritty at first. When the Philadelphia Flyers first revealed him, I thought the Phillie Phanatic just ate a bunch of Cheetos. But, like everyone else, I quickly warmed up to him after he threatened Iceburgh. Gritty’s twitter account has over 200,000 followers.
His in-game antics are second to none. No one is safe when Gritty is on the ice. Not even Flyers fans. He cemented his spot on this list when he streaked during the Stadium Series.
1. Youppi! (Montreal Canadiens)
Look, we all know Gritty was sort of a knockoff of Youppi!. And that’s fine because Gritty’s a bit of a jerk unlike Youppi!, who is the most irresistible mascot out there. He started off as the Montreal Expos mascot back in 1979. Youppi! is french for “Yipee!”.
He became beloved once the Canadiens adopted him as their first mascot in franchise history. To this day, Youppi! is the only mascot who has ever served in two professional sports leagues. He’s also the only one who has been thrown out of a baseball game.