Mascots are a very polarizing aspect of modern sports fandom. Supporters say that they’re a fun way to pump up a crowd and provide accessibility for kids to get into the sport, while critics chastise them for being a gimmicky tool and superfluous addition to an already exciting enough product.
I tend to fall in the former category. I think mascots are not only a great way to engage kids in the sport, but also a canvas to express the uniqueness of a franchise.
A lot of mascots in the NHL reflect the lore of the organization or city they represent.