The Colorado Avalanche's mascot is Bernie, a friendly and energetic creature that represents the team's spirit and love for hockey. Bernie made his official debut in 2009, and ever since then, he has become a beloved and recognizable member of the Avalanche organization. Bernie is a big, furry creature with blue and burgundy fur, representing the team's colors. He has a smiling face, big googly eyes, and a mischievous personality. During Avalanche games, Bernie can be seen entertaining the crowd with his playful and enthusiastic antics. He dances, throws out merchandise, and interacts with fans of all ages.
4 Times Colorado Mascots Proved They’ll Do Anything for the Team
Local mascots make a living doing over-the-top, wacky things. When those attempts at absurdity go awry, well, let's just say things can get weird.
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The Lion Sleeps Tonight
No Colorado mascot has generated more crazy headlines than Rocky of the Denver Nuggets. (He once showed up at a GOP political fundraiser without team permission.) But arguably his strangest moment occurred during the 2013 home opener when his limp body was lowered from the rafters during pregame introductions. Many fans in attendance feared the worst as the mountain lion dangled motionless. Fortunately, he had just passed out while getting into the harness, and after regaining consciousness, he walked off the floor under his own power.
Denver Nuggets mascot, Rocky the Lion. Photo courtesy of Doug Pensinger/ Getty Images.
Dinosaur Rumble
During the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994, Colorado Rockies mascot Dinger made an unannounced visit to the AM-850 KOA broadcast booth—during which he tripped and fell into announcer Jeff Kingery. Kingery responded by ripping off his headphones and pummeling the purple dinosaur. Even though Kingery was the aggressor, Dinger showed contrition first: The Barney lookalike delivered flowers to the broadcaster a few days later with a note that read, “Dear Jeff–Thanks for breaking my fall.”
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Missing The Mark
Over the years, mascots have found all sorts of creative ways to injure themselves. Few mishaps, however, have garnered more attention than the University of Colorado Boulder’s Chip the Buffalo accidentally shooting himself with a T-shirt gun in the Rocky Mountain oysters in 2018. Video of the incident, which also showed Chip giving a thumbs-up to a cheering crowd as he was carted off the field, logged millions of views on social media and garnered clicks for nearly every possible news outlet, from Sports Illustrated to Fox News.
Colorado Boulder’s mascot, Chip the Buffalo. Photo courtesy of Doug Pensinger/ Getty Images
A Hairy Situation
When the Colorado Avalanche first moved to Denver in 1995, a giant yeti named Howler served as the team’s mascot. The gray-haired monster was retired, though, after a Chicago Blackhawks fan claimed he injured her during a scuffle at a March 1999 game. The person wearing the suit was cited with disturbing the peace, and the Avs were so traumatized by the experience the franchise waited a decade before introducing a new mascot: the much more docile Bernie the St. Bernard.
Photo courtesy of David Zalubowski/ AP Photo
This article was originally published in 5280 November 2020.Shane Monaghan is the former digital editor of 5280.com and teaches journalism at Regis Jesuit High School.
Avalanche Bernie 8" Kuricha Mascot Plush
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He dances, throws out merchandise, and interacts with fans of all ages. Bernie's main role as the team's mascot is to create a fun and engaging atmosphere for Avalanche fans. He often participates in pre-game activities, such as playing street hockey or joining in on the team's warm-up exercises.
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Who is Colorado Avalanche Mascot Bernie the St. Bernard?
The Colorado Avalanche, known as the Avs, is an NHL team based in Denver, playing in the Western Conference's Central Division. Founded in 1972 as the Quebec Nordiques, they joined the NHL in 1979 and moved to Denver in 1995.
The Avalanche clinched the Stanley Cup in 1996, becoming the first Denver team to win a major league championship. They secured additional championships in 2001 and 2022, making them the only active NHL team to win every appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Avalanche have claimed 12 division titles and made the playoffs in their first 10 seasons after relocation, ending the streak in 2007. They play their home games at Ball Arena, sharing it with the NBA's Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League.
Contents- Colorado Avalanche Mascot Bernie the St. Bernard
- Colorado Avalanche Mascot History
- Bernie the St. Bernard Funny Incidents
- FAQs
Bernie also interacts with the players and coaching staff, providing a lighthearted spirit to the team's practices and events. In addition to his game day duties, Bernie is involved in numerous community outreach programs. He visits schools, hospitals, and charities to spread joy and positivity. Bernie is more than just a mascot; he is a symbol of the Avalanche's commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. Overall, the Avs mascot Bernie plays a vital role in the Colorado Avalanche organization. He brings laughter, excitement, and a sense of unity to fans of all ages. His presence is a constant reminder of the team's dedication to the sport and their community. Whether on the ice or off, Bernie's energetic and friendly nature embodies what it means to be a fan of the Colorado Avalanche..
Reviews for "Behind the Mask: The Real Person Inside the Howler Costume"
1. John - 2 stars
"The Avs mascot was a disappointing addition to the game. It seemed like they were trying too hard to create a unique character, but it just missed the mark. The costume was clunky and not very well designed. It also didn't have much personality or charm, which made it feel like a cheap knockoff of other team mascots. Overall, I was not impressed."
2. Emily - 1 star
"The Avs mascot was incredibly annoying and distracting during the game. It was constantly running around, getting in the way of the players and blocking the view of the game. It felt like a desperate attempt to entertain the crowd, but it ended up ruining the game experience for me and many others around me. I hope they reconsider having such a disruptive mascot in the future."
3. Michael - 3 stars
"While I appreciate the effort to have a mascot for the Avs, I found the execution to be lacking. The character design was not appealing, and it didn't feel like it represented the team well. The mascot didn't really engage with the crowd or create any excitement during the game. It felt like more of an afterthought than a well-integrated part of the team's identity. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to create a memorable mascot."
4. Sarah - 2 stars
"I found the Avs mascot to be quite creepy and unsettling. The oversized head and exaggerated features made it look more like a nightmare creature than a fun character. It didn't seem to have any purpose or add any value to the game. Instead, it just made me feel uncomfortable whenever it appeared. I would have preferred a more traditional and welcoming mascot for the team."
5. Mark - 2 stars
"The Avs mascot didn't seem to connect with the fans. It felt forced and out of place, like it was trying too hard to be funny or entertaining. There was no genuine connection between the mascot and the crowd, and it felt like a missed opportunity to create a sense of camaraderie and team spirit. I think the team should consider reevaluating their mascot and finding one that truly resonates with their fanbase."