There are several NHL teams that do not have mascots. This is in contrast to many other sports leagues, where mascots are a common presence and often play a prominent role in team branding and fan engagement. In the NHL, however, there are currently 11 teams that have chosen not to have an official mascot. These teams include the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues. The decision not to have a mascot can be seen as a reflection of the unique culture and tradition of these teams.
Hart Ralston is a marshal who keeps people safe from the many drudges roaming the wild lands of Tanria. Delivering bodies to local undertakers is just one part of his job, but some undertakers are far more annoying and exhausting than others. Especially those undertakers who are tall, curvy, beautiful and fiercely independent like Mercy Birdsall. And her having a lovable dog doesn’t hurt.
She was so much impressed with the book that she fell in deep love with the depiction of Gothic love, which included mysterious settings, brooding characters, sexy and dark heroes, and persevering heroines. However, she does feel the need on the occasion of her 20th birthday when someone nearly kills by choking in an alley near the Goth club in New Orleans.
The decision not to have a mascot can be seen as a reflection of the unique culture and tradition of these teams. Many of these teams have a long and storied history, and their focus is primarily on the game itself and the rich heritage of their franchise. They may feel that adding a mascot would distract from this legacy and detract from the overall fan experience.
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
CW: murder, child abuse. It is kept pretty brief and matter of fact, with the majority of the story being quite light, but there are a handful of violent scenes.
I don’t remember adding this to my KU library but Past Me has excellent taste! This book was the perfect field mowing companion and I immeadiately downloaded the second book in the series as soon as I finished it. It’s so sweet, a little silly, and incredibly compelling. If you’re looking for a light, magical, cozy fantasy read with a dash of romance, this book is perfect.
From the Publisher:
Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.
Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.
Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.
It’s so good! This one is hard not to spoil, so apologies for the brief and excited squealing. Keeper of Enchanted Rooms is incredibly fun. It begins with dual narratives. One is from a wealthy wizard who has a tragic childhood and the other is Merritt Fernsby, bachelor writer who inherits Whimbrel House. The magic found within Whimbrel House is quite whimsical in the beginning, balancing out the darkness of the story of our tortured wizard. There is a light romantic element that is full of pining and Great Concern for Propriety but isn’t the main focus of the story, more of a delightful bonus. There is delightful banter amongst all the characters, as well as some found family elements. The magic system, widely known to all in the world, is simple and easy to follow and provides some great comedic moments. Hulda holds an important and respected position within the BIKER, the magical agency that oversees enchanted homes. I love a heroine with an interesting job and Hulda definitely has an interesting job! She’s incredibly competent and I don’t remember her dealing with any type of patriarchal b.s. It could be there, but I don’t remember. Quite refreshing, to be honest.
I found the Keeper of Enchanted Rooms to be delightful and engrossing story with a fantastic mystery. I listened to the audio version and the performances were absolutely fantastic. If you would like to add this magical mystery to your shelf, you can click on the cover above, or here, for ordering information.
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Michelle Dunbar
Additionally, some of these teams may have other forms of fan engagement that they feel are more effective than a traditional mascot. For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the "Budweiser Stage Crew," a group of fans who lead chants and perform other fan activities during games. The New York Rangers have the "Blueshirt Faithful," a group of die-hard fans who lead cheers and support the team in various ways. While the majority of NHL teams do have mascots, it is interesting to see that some teams have chosen to forgo this tradition. This decision may be seen as a means of preserving tradition, emphasizing the game itself, and maintaining a unique identity within the league. Ultimately, though, it is up to each individual team to decide whether having a mascot is the right fit for their organization and their fans..
Reviews for "The Mascot Vacuum: NHL Teams Creating their Own Niche"
1. John - 2/5 stars: I was really disappointed with "NHL Teams Without Mascots". I was hoping to see the creative and entertaining mascots that many other sports teams have, but instead, I got a boring list of NHL teams without any mascots. The book lacked any interesting insights or analysis about the teams or the reasons behind their mascot-less status. Overall, it was quite a disappointing read.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars: I found "NHL Teams Without Mascots" to be incredibly mundane and unengaging. The book simply listed the NHL teams without any mascots, without providing any further information or context. It felt like a wasted opportunity to explore the potential reasons behind the lack of mascots in the NHL and how it could affect fan engagement and team identity. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of mascots in sports.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars: "NHL Teams Without Mascots" was a letdown for me. I was hoping for more than just a basic list of NHL teams without mascots, but unfortunately, that's all it offered. It lacked any depth or analysis, leaving me with unanswered questions about why certain teams have chosen not to have mascots and the impact it has on their fan base. Overall, a missed opportunity to explore a potentially interesting topic.
4. Lisa - 1/5 stars: I was highly disappointed with "NHL Teams Without Mascots". The book provided a mere list of teams without any mascots, without any additional information or insights. It felt like a lazy attempt to cash in on the popularity of mascots in sports without putting any effort into researching or analyzing the subject. As a fan eager to learn more about the NHL teams and their mascot choices, this book fell short of my expectations in every way.