The first NHL mascot was introduced in 1972 for the Philadelphia Flyers. Known as "Slapshot," this orange, fuzzy creature quickly became a beloved figure and set the stage for the future of mascots in the NHL. Slapshot was created by a graphic designer named Dennis Dabrowski and his team. They wanted to create a mascot that would connect with the fans and enhance the in-game experience. Slapshot was furry and lovable, with a mischievous personality that endeared him to fans of all ages. The Flyers organization embraced Slapshot, and he quickly became a popular figure at home games.

Ranking all current NHL mascots, from worst to best

Oct 4, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty performs against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Sports would not be what they are without mascots, and hockey especially. Fans sitting from home might not feel the impact of mascots as much as those in the stands, but mascots do a lot of heavy lifting. From pumping the fans up to throwing out t-shirts to taunting players in the penalty box, NHL mascots truly are one of a kind. Of course, not every NHL team has one! The New York Rangers are the only holdouts left in the NHL as the Seattle Kraken, after just one season in the NHL, now have a mascot of their own, Buoy! Shame on you, Rangers, for not joining in on the fun. From worst to best, these are our rankings of all the current mascots in the NHL.

Between the wonky teeth and the weirdly looking human-like hair on an anthropomorphic lion, Spartacat is absolutely the worst NHL mascot in my book.

Harvey the Hound is, in fact, supposed to be an anthropomorphic dog, but instead looks like an opossum that found its way into a hockey rink. Bonus points for getting his tongue ripped out by then-Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish, at least!

The perpetual grin on Hunter’s face tells me he’s killed before and will absolutely, 100 percent do it again.

Look, I’m willing to give Buoy a chance to change our minds like Gritty did once upon a time, but the Kraken had the perfect opportunity for a sea creature mascot and went with a troll. For shame, Seattle!

Nordy feels like he should be scaring kids a la Five Nights at Freddy’s but instead he’s taking pictures with them. It’s that creepy smile that does it for me.

I feel like I should give Chance a, well, chance here. He’s not bad, exactly, more just uninspired. It’s a bit freaky to see a gila monster look so… buff, I will say.

The Panthers mascots are just kind of… there. Stanley C. Panther is just a basic panther and Viktor E. Ratt is, well, a rat that’s based on the team’s “rat trick” tradition. Neat history, but nothing to write home about here.

Looking at Fin’s side profile is fine, but facing this whale head on is a dangerous proposition. A unique mascot, for sure, but it’s like looking at Mickey Mouse from above with its unsettling presence.

Great name, but Stormy is immediately docked points for being… a pig. You pick a name that awe-inspiring and you go with a pig mascot instead. I get that he’s representing the hog farms in North Carolina, but the tonal dissonance here is astounding.

I wanted to rank Thunderbug lower, but I have to admit his “no thoughts, head empty” vibe kind of resonates with me. He’s still pretty bland compared to the other mascots, though.

The hockey stick antennae on top of Victor E. Green’s head are a bit weird, but overall he’s alright. Basically a predecessor to Gritty, really!

The first of many bear mascots in the NHL. Louie is fine, but he doesn’t distinguish himself enough from the rest of the pack.

Howler is definitely much cuter than the previous canine attempts on this list. It’s a low bar to clear, but Howler works well for the unassuming franchise he represents.

Sure, Bernie the St. Bernard may not have the cutest face of all the NHL’s dog mascots, but he’s still pretty endearing. The fact that he carries a little cask around his neck too is a perfect touch.

N.J. Devil feels like a college mascot who found his way into the NHL. A bit freakish, but it’s the Devils so it’s expected. Quite clean overall, but not the best the NHL has to offer.

Big fan of Tommy Hawk’s mohawk and the feathers down his arms. His eyes may be a bit soulless — like the organization as of late — but Tommy Hawk’s design and silhouette are pretty great.

Iceburgh’s pretty goofy looking overall, a far cry from the ferocious Penguins’ logo he wears. Even still, Iceburgh is charming in his own kind of way.

Devilish grin aside, Mick E. Moose has style. Between the antlers and the old-school pilot hat, the Jets did a great job in designing Mick E. Moose to stick out from the crowd.

Blades the Bruin is cool without trying too hard. Sure, he’s just a brown bear, but his design isn’t overly complicated while also not looking like a total mess in an attempt to be dangerous looking.

Though not a mascot by the standard definition anymore, Al the Octopus rocks. Al is yet another NHL mascot tied into its team’s traditions but the Red Wings pull it off wonderfully with a giant octopus that descends from the rafters. Here’s hoping we get to see Al the Octopus at a Red Wings game again in the near future.

Gnash is one slick cat! The design of Gnash’s face isn’t a monstrosity like Spartacat’s or Hunter’s but neither is it completely cute like Howler’s. Gnash sticks the landing between fierce mascot and cool design.

An icon in the hockey world, Youppi! — exclamation point and all! — may be a controversial mascot, but he is a timeless historical touchstone nonetheless. Especially because he was originally the mascot of the Montreal Expos and became the first mascot to be thrown out of a baseball game, no less. Youppi! walked so Gritty could run.

Unlike Spartacat, Bailey does his mane right and actually looks like a lion to boot. A pretty majestic one at that!

S.J. Sharkie is shaped like a friend and I won’t hear a word otherwise. San Jose really gave their shark mascot eyebrows and it works so well.

No, it doesn’t make sense that the Islanders have a dragon mascot. But, it’s a dragon and you’re not going to hear me complain! How cool is that?

Absolutely the cutest mascot of the bunch, Carlton the Bear may be basic in his overall aesthetic but it works. Talk about an easy design to make kids toys and plushies for too.

Wild Wing is the Mighty Ducks logo come to life. You can’t ask for much more from this Ducks team that refuses to bring back their iconic jerseys, honestly. Just a mascot that’s straight out of the best parts of the 90s.

Look at those eyebrows! Slapshot’s got some real personality as the best bird mascot in the NHL. Overall just a great design that fits well with the Capitals brand.

Who else? Gritty is chaos incarnate, from his Twitter presence to his in-arena antics. Plus, he’s broken through the hockey barrier to become a beloved well-known pop culture figure. It’s Gritty’s world, and we’re just living in it.

First nhl mascot

Welcome to the happy-go-lucky, hard working, hopeless at times, hungry at most, huggable Harvey the Hound Headquarters! Not all Flames fans can make it to a Calgary Flames home game in person, but not to fret because Harvey also makes special appearances throughout Calgary and all of Southern Alberta all year long. Over the years, Harvey has delighted Flames fans and kids of all ages with his antics and continues to be one of the most recognizable mascots in all of the professional sports.

The Flyers organization embraced Slapshot, and he quickly became a popular figure at home games. He would entertain the crowd with various antics, from dancing on the ice to engaging in playful interactions with fans. Slapshot's presence added an extra level of excitement and entertainment to the games, and he soon became synonymous with the Flyers franchise.

HARVEY BIO

Name: Harvey the Hound
Position: Centre (of attention)
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Shoots (marks his territory): Right
Acquired: Flames First Pound Draft choice in 1983. He was the NHL's very FIRST Mascot.

Following the success of Slapshot, other NHL teams began to introduce their own mascots. These mascots varied in appearance and personality, but they all shared a common goal of engaging with fans and creating a fun atmosphere at games. Mascots have become an integral part of the NHL experience, with many teams now having their own unique characters. From Harvey the Hound of the Calgary Flames to Thunderbug of the Tampa Bay Lightning, these mascots have become cherished symbols of their respective teams. The introduction of the first NHL mascot, Slapshot, paved the way for the development of mascots as an important part of the league. They continue to bring joy and entertainment to fans, enhancing the overall experience of attending an NHL game..

Reviews for "The First NHL Mascot's Enduring Legacy: An Inspiration to Future Generations"

1. John - 1/5 stars - I found the "First NHL Mascot" to be extremely disappointing. Not only was the design lackluster and unoriginal, but the overall concept felt like a desperate attempt to ride the coattails of other successful mascots. The mascot lacked personality and failed to create any excitement during the game. It felt like a missed opportunity for the NHL to create something truly unique and memorable.

2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - The "First NHL Mascot" was underwhelming, to say the least. The choice of a generic-looking animal with no significant ties to the team or the sport was confusing. The mascot's interactions were forced and awkward, leaving the crowd feeling detached instead of engaged. It seemed like a rushed addition to the franchise, with no real thought put into its impact on the fans or the game experience.

3. Mark - 3/5 stars - While the "First NHL Mascot" wasn't terrible, it definitely fell short of my expectations. The design was decent, but lacked the charisma and charm I've seen in other mascots. The interactions with fans seemed forced, and overall, the mascot didn't bring anything new or exciting to the game. It felt like a missed opportunity for the team to create a memorable and beloved character that fans could rally behind.

4. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the "First NHL Mascot," but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The mascot's appearance was forgettable, and it blended in with the crowd instead of standing out. The attempts at engaging with fans were lackluster and unoriginal, leaving the fans disinterested. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a mascot that could genuinely bring energy and excitement to the game.

5. Alex - 1/5 stars - The "First NHL Mascot" was a huge disappointment. The design was unimpressive, and the mascot lacked any unique qualities or characteristics. It felt like a lazy attempt to check off a box, rather than a thoughtful addition to enhance the fan experience. The mascot failed to bring any excitement or entertainment value to the game, leaving me completely unimpressed.

The Evolution of NHL Mascots: From the First to the Latest