NHL: Ranking the Central Division mascots

With almost a week left until the full 2024-25 NHL season gets underway, let’s have some fun with this week's edition of the Central Division.

Mascots are a core reason why maybe the casual fan watches the sport, so this week I will be ranking the furry creatures in the NHL’s Central Division.

I will not be including the Utah Hockey Club as now, considering they don’t have a mascot yet.

No. 7 - Nordy (Minnesota Wild)

AP Photo/Mark Humphrey

People can’t really identify per my research what exactly Nordy represents, but the most logical guess is a wild thing.

To me, this creature does not look wild, and the general aesthetics are not inspiring to say the least.

No. 6 - Victor E. Green (Dallas Stars)

Aaron Doster/ USA TODAY Sports

According to the NHL website about Victor, his favorite book is about a Zamboni, and his roommate is a Zamboni.

Makes sense for a mascot that is probably seeing STARS during the game. Whoever designed Victor needs to take a hard look in the mirror, because he looks more scary than cool.

No. 5 - Gnash (Nashville Predators)

Samual M. Simpkins/The Tennessean

The overall design of Gnash is awesome and one of the main reasons I have him above the other two mascots listed at seven and six.

However, my hatred towards Nashville mainly stems from being a Penguins fan, and the fact that Gnash supporters' reckless behavior at playoff games is unacceptable.

No. 4 - Tommy Hawk (Chicago Blackhawks)

Rob Grabowski/USA TODAY Sports

Tommy Hawk has had his fair share of unusual moments such as punching and body slamming a fan. And I also understand that the name of the team people want to change.

But the design of Tommy is pretty sick, and I feel like it matches very well with the name of the team, putting him one spot over Gnash.

No. 3 - Louie the Polar Bear (St. Louis Blues)

Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports

A loveable polar bear who dons the blue color that represents the color blue of the long-standing franchise of St. Louis.

The wild charismatic energy that he possesses makes him number three on the list, but the two mascots ahead of him just go above and beyond.

No. 2 - Bernie the St. Bernard (Colorado Avalanche)

Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

Bernie is a wonderful and loveable dog who was rescued in his part of the story to come to avalanche games and stay out of the snow.

I would put him higher on the list, but the overall design of the dog can not possibly top the next mascot that perfectly fits Canada.

No. 1 - Mick E. Moose (Winnipeg Jets)

Bruce Fedyck/USA TODAY Sports

What better way to represent the country of Canada than with one of its most populous animals, the moose?

Mick is the mascot of one of the best playoff atmospheres in the NHL, which also is able to boost his rankings on the list.

Winnipeg may be in the middle of a province with nothing around it, but Mick proves that you don’t need a big city feel to be an elite mascot.

Giustino Racchini is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him please email him at gar5448@psu.edu.