2022 ECHL Mascot of the Year

Buddy | Newfoundland Growlers

Buddy the Puffin has been the official mascot of professional hockey teams in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1992. This storied mascot has made countless connections to hockey fans of all ages, forged long lasting bonds in the community and single handedly created a unique level of entertainment and joy at every event he attended. This proud puffin is a two-time AHL Mascot of the Year Award Winner and now seeks the award at the ECHL level. #FORABBO

Nitro | Indy Fuel

Nitro deserves to be mascot of the year for many reasons. Most notably, he is a fixture at all Indy Fuel games, always on the ice, interacting with fans, having fun (and sometimes causing mischief) and helping create a wonderful game day experience for fans.

He also interacts with the team, tying together the entertainment and hockey sides of the Indy Fuel brand.

Aside from his game involvement, what makes Nitro really special is his community involvement. This year alone, he has been to over 30 community events, including school visits, events supporting foster children, military families, the Indianapolis LGBTQIA+ community, youth hockey, Special Olympics, other Indianapolis teams and mascots and so much more.

He is also very involved on social media, continuing on the Indy Fuel brand by interacting personally with fans, tightening the community’s relationship with this team.

Thunderdog | Wichita Thunder

Thunderdog is the baddest mascot in the ECHL. In addition to hyping up the crowd at games, he’s always dressed up in themed outfits to go along with our game night promotions. Thunderdog frequently appears at local events throughout the Wichita area, encouraging kids during physical activities and accompanying Thunder players to school visits.

Slappy | Kalamazoo Wings

In a year that we did not do any community player visits, in an attempt to avoid any covid outbreaks within our team, Slappy became the face of our team from a community standpoint. He has attended numerous events and was there for every fan to visit with during every K-Wings home game. Attached is a picture of him recently at the Can-Am Softball Tournament (for special needs children), where he threw out the first pitch.

Biscuit | Allen Americans

Vote Biscuit the Bulldog for Mascot of the Year!  

Biscuit has been an integral part of the Americans organization and is one of the most recognizable ambassadors in the community and marketing initiatives. His interaction and engagement with fans during each home game brings a constant energy to CUTX Event Center.

Our lovable bulldog is recognized for entainting the home crowd each night with his creative skits, hilarious shenanigans, interaction with visiting players, coaches, and his playful humor with opposing fans. Biscuit is very popular on social media with a big following platform and is the only ECHL mascot with 1.5 million likes on TikTok! Biscuit stays busy year-round, appearing at parades, community events, hospital visits, holiday deliveries,  and any other activity imaginable. 

Biscuit has traveled all over Texas and even into Canada!.  Biscuit is a one-of-a-kind companion that has been seen as one of the best mascots in the ECHL. Everyone loves Biscuit! 

Icy D. Eagle | Fort Wayne Komets

Back to defend his title as reigning Mascot of the Year, Icy D Eagle continues to earn the spot as “Face of the Franchise” due to his in-crowd antics and all-out commitment to the Fort Wayne community. From highlighting parades in towns across Northeast Indiana every Summer to being an in-crowd staple at every Komet home game, Icy has been a year-round icon in the Summit City for the past 28 years… always ready to put a smile on someone’s face.

Cool Ray | South Carolina Stingrays

Cool Ray was destined to become the Stingrays mascot from the moment he was born in the Folly Beach Channel and made his mascot debut on October 20, 1993 against the Roanoke Express. As soon as he stepped on to the ice - Cool Ray knew he was home.

Growing up at the Coliseum, Cool Ray has had a front row seat to Stingrays hockey his whole life. From dancing during stoppages in play, competing on the ice during intermissions or getting involved with the community, Cool Ray is always finding ways to have fun! Cool Ray loves living in the Lowcountry and is looking forward to cheering on the Stingrays for many years to come.

Cool Ray is the coolest mascot around and this coming season, he will be celebrating 30 years of Stingrays hockey!

Grizzbee | Utah Grizzlies

Grizzbee is a staple of the Grizzlies franchise as well as a big part of the Salt Lake Valley, entertaining fans since 1995. Standing at 7-foot-5 and weighing 550 pounds, Grizzbee is one of the biggest mascots in the league. Grizzbee is not only big in stature but he's got a big heart, appearing in every Grizzlies community appearance off the ice and acting as the biggest fan when the team is on the ice. Grizzbee makes time for young fans before, during and after every game. 

Grizzbee wears the number 95 because he was introduced in the fall of 1995, the same year the Grizzlies came to Salt Lake City. 

Stomper | Greenville Swamp Rabbits

A Greenville favorite, Stomper is known for hopping around the Upstate and having local hearts thumping with those buck teeth and floppy ears! If you find yourself inside his Rabbit Hole, be ready for joy, laughter, energy, and the perfect mix of bunny chaos!

Dash | Iowa Heartlanders

Heartlanders Mascot Dash is one of the newest additions to the ECHL Mascot Community and has become an important part of coming to an Iowa game after being unveiled less than a year ago. Always ready and prepared to dance, raise his hands, or motivate to get the crowd loud at Xtream Arena, the Heartlanders made Dash a part of the family two weeks before the team’s first game in club history. Dash frequently makes community appearances with the team at schools, hospitals and other places around The Corridor.

Nugget | Rapid City Rush

Just like the burros in Custer State Park, any fan feels like they've made a new friend after an encounter with Nugget! He's part of the 2021-22 Community Service Team of the Year at the center of every event, including his swim in frigid cold water at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge! From parades and classrooms to dressing up in costumes for big promotional nights, Nugget continues to be an icon in the Black Hills.

Swampee | Florida Everblades

Swampee goes above and beyond at every game to give fans the best experience. For promotions and specialty games, he always creates and wears creative costumes, or uses props to enhance the themes put on by the ECHL or sales teams. His antics are always received well by the crowd, as he always has them laughing and wanting photos.

He also takes care of maintenance of props and promotion tools, such as t-shirt guns and his famous drum. He is an active part of the community as well. He gets invited to multiple grand openings, schools, events, and more throughout the entire year. 

People truly come out to games because of Swampee himself. He even receives fan mail and gifts throughout the year, which shows the love and appreciation the Everblades fanbase has for him. Other mascots throughout the ECHL have reached out to Swampee for tips on how to better connect with their fan bases and how to entertain thousands as Swampee does each game. Overall, I think you can agree that Swampee is the best candidate for The 2022 ECHL “Mascot of the Year.” 

Fang | Jacksonville Icemen

FANG is a Husky who was adopted on October 12, 2018 from the Jacksonville Humane Society as part of National Adopt a Shelter Dog month. In a fan vote, the name FANG received over 1,000 votes, in honor of JSO K-9 FANG who was killed in the line of duty just two weeks before. From throwing popcorn on fans, to getting Icemen Nation excited with his pregame “Howl”, to being at every community event, FANG gives his best on and off the ice. He is loyal to the fan base and our game days would not be the same without having an all-star like him on our roster!

Shades | Orlando Solar Bears

There's no better mascot in the ECHL than Shades, the lovable mascot of the Orlando Solar Bears. After an encounter with a spaceship mutated Shades, the merry prankster made his way to the Sunshine State in the 1990s for the launch of Central Florida's pro hockey team. The sunglasses-wearing bear made his way out of hibernation with the return of the Solar Bears in 2012 and is never shy about firing up the Amway Center faithful or repping his favorite hockey team in the community.

Spike | Toledo Walleye

Spike has been a fixture at Walleye games since our inaugural season in 2009! Taking thousands of photos each season with fans of all ages, Spike is the only mascot in the league with a giant in-arena blimp replicated after him.

Beacon | Maine Mariners

Beacon the Puffin - the official mascot of the Maine Mariners, led Mariners fans in cheering on the push for the first playoff appearance in team history in 2022! With Beacon’s leadership, the fans helped boost the Mariners to an eight-game home winning streak through the end of the regular season and into the postseason! This multi-talented bird has been flying all around Maine this summer, excited to get back into the community and promote the upcoming fourth season of Mariners hockey!