Play Canada decided to have a little fun by surveying more than 2,000 NHL fans from the U.S. and Canada to get their opinions on NHL team mascots. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Carlton the Bear took 1st place for the Best Mascot, and the Detroit Red Wings’ Al the Octopus took 2nd place in the Most Obnoxious category.
The octopus began its association with Detroit hockey in 1952 during the championship series. Back then, it only took two best-of-seven matches to secure the cup, therefore, 8 games to win.
Detroit ended up sweeping its series against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens, winning the Stanley Cup in a mere 8 games. During that series, an octopus was thrown onto the ice by Pete and Jerry Cusimano, and the creature began its long history of being synonymous with Detroit hockey.
Al the Octopus is named after Al Sobotka, the octopi-whirling Zamboni driver whose job was rounding up the critters that fans chucked onto the ice during games. Al placed 14th in Play Canada’s survey for best mascot, but his behavior during games ranked him #2 on the Most Obnoxious list.
Carlton the Bear has been the official mascot of the Maple Leafs since 1995 and is best known for spreading Maple Leaf Spirit and his rivalry with the Ottawa Senators’ mascot, Spartacat who placed 28th in the Play Canada survey.
For the complete results of Play Canada’s survey, visit their website <HERE>.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
