It’s quite ironic that the team describes the Colorado Avalanche‘s current mascot, Bernie the St. Bernard, as “a symbol of integrity, strength and loyalty,” because the Avs showed no loyalty to their first and superior mascot, Howler.
When the Avs moved from Quebec and got rid of the Nordiques name, they also left behind the Seussian mascot Badaboum. Instead, they introduced Howler the Yeti, who was a yeti, and literally imprinted him on their branding by using their alternate “bigfoot” logo. Howler, however, has not been seen since 2001.
While the Avalanche were competing for the Stanley Cup in 2022, KUSA in Denver investigated his disappearance. They stumbled upon a 1999 KeynoteUSA story about a fight between Howler and a 20-year-old rival fan at an Avs game. Despite his reputation as “the friendliest bigfoot in Colorado,” the fan told KUSA that the mascot was engaging in a practice known as “bonking.” His summary of events helped create a snapshot of local news:
Howler backed away.
The KeynoteUSA also had a quote from the fan’s father, who said Howler “kicked her in the stomach.” Howler’s trail cools off after that, but he remains something of a fringe meme on the hockey Internet. He’s gone, but not forgotten, and that’s crucial, because as the former Arizona Coyotes plot their path toward a new beginning in Salt Lake City, at least one of the proposed team names is simply crying out for Howler’s return.
After 520,000 fan votes, Utah’s NHL team name search has been narrowed down to six options:
• Utah Blizzard
• Utah Hockey Club
• Utah Mammoth
• Utah Outlaws
• Utah poison
• Utah Yeti pic.twitter.com/KOFgeOE3Jb
— Reception Sports (@FOS) June 6, 2024
Blizzard is so similar to the Avalanche that I’m surprised they’re in the running, but even more relevant is the possibility of a Utah Yeti adapting to the NHL soon. There’s no more obvious opportunity for Howler’s return, and the rumors are already getting louder. The combination of Howler and the Utah Yeti is a negative for many fans who prefer a more unique identity for the Beehive State. (Never mind that the Coyotes already had a mascot of their own named Howler, although he was, if you can guess, a coyote.) I have a counterproposal for those bitter speciesists.
Imagine this. It’s October 2024. The Utah Yeti face the Colorado Avalanche in their home opener. All your favorites are there: Michael Carcone, Jack McBain, Lawson Crouse. The crowd goes crazy for their performances. But then a crack appears on the ice. A thunderous bass shakes the building. The place darkens and fills with smoke. Oh no! What’s happening? A single spotlight pierces the void. Standing at center ice is none other than Howler The Yeti, still alive after all these years and wearing the gear of his new favorite team.
Colorado won’t know what hit them. Cale Makar will be an emotional disaster. It will be the Trojan War again. The bad blood from this defection would fuel one feud after another – the kind of intense, ruthless rivalry that hasn’t really existed in the NHL since Howler roamed the Rocky Mountains and terrorized the Motor City. Immediately, the Mountain time zone becomes the center of the hockey world. No one will be able to look away.
It’s a foolproof plan. I only need one thing: Can someone tell me where I can find Howler the Yeti?
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