Meet Tusky, the Utah Mammoth’s new mascot.
Tusky, a 6-foot-5 blue mammoth with a mohawk, burst onto the scene ahead of the Mammoth’s home opener on Wednesday, emerging from a giant block of ice with “00″ across the back of his Utah Mammoth home jersey.
According to the team, he shoots left and his position is “the center of attention.”
“We named the Utah Mammoth mascot Tusky to lean into our team’s ‘Tusks Up’ rallying cry,” said team owners Ryan and Ashley Smith in a press release. “Tusky is going to be a big part of our community, creating memorable experiences in and out of the arena.
“Fans can expect to see Tusky everywhere — from Mammoth games and team events to community gatherings, schools and hospitals. We are excited for fans to get to know Tusky this season.”
The team identifies him as “a bit mischievous” and “never one to miss an opportunity for a prank” — not unlike his predecessor, Hockey Bear, whom the Mammoth borrowed on a temporary basis from the Utah Jazz.
Tusky will skate in the pre-game festivities most nights, and the color of his mohawk is expected to change at various points throughout the season.
The Mammoth are the 31st active NHL team to name a mascot. The only team without one is the New York Rangers. The Rangers are among the league’s oldest teams, but they have never had an official mascot.
