Cryptids and North American Sports Teams
The latest National Hockey League buzz is that the new team in Salt Lake City (previously the Arizona Coyotes franchise) will be named the Utah Yetis. If true, this reaffirms how cryptids continue to exert their large presence, representing professional hockey teams. Let’s take a look at the use of mystery animals and mythological beasts associated with North American sports.
Marketable Monster Mascots
There have been a slew of mythical creatures and cryptids used for sporting team logos and mascots. Obvious ones include the many Titans, Giants, Dragons, Wizards, and Phantoms. The association is far more meaningful when the team name or mascot has some regional connection.
The Vermont Lake Monsters minor baseball team celebrates their beloved Champ, the Lake Champlain creature. It’s a FANTASTIC theme and logo.
The Appalachian Football Club in Boone, NC hit on a winning connection to hairy hominoids by using Bigfoot/Sasquatch/Yeti themes for their team.
According to the team co-founder, Michael Hitchcock, there was no question about the representation of the club.
“That part of the country is Bigfoot country,” he said of the decision to build the club’s identity around the Sasquatch. “It’s part of the culture, it’s part of the community. It’s a part of the folklore. We’ve been able to build a really cool brand around that that sells hundreds of thousands of dollars in online merchandise in all 50 states.
Hitchcock hits upon a key feature cryptids bring to the table – marketability. He said the buying the Sasquatch costume was “the best $180 dollars I’ve ever spent on Amazon in the history of my sports management career.”
The National Hockey League, however, learned this monster concept a while ago and we find several monster mascots in their lineup. Let’s check out the top cryptid-themed hockey teams.
NHL Team Cryptids
New Jersey Devils (1982)
New Jersey’s hockey team was the original club who wisely capitalized on their famous local legend after a fan contest was held to pick the name. It’s a perfect choice. However, they have not managed to come up with a kick-ass logo. The team has adopted the stereotypical image of a horned devil for their logo and for a rather goofy-looking mascot, NJ Devil, in 1993. The mascot has always been considered one of the best in the league, but not using a more stylized, beastly, winged creature as their logo seems like a missed opportunity.
Seattle Kraken (2020)
An expansion team, the Kraken name was chosen as an homage to the maritime culture of Seattle. The Kraken is more of a mythical creature that is somewhat erroneously used as a synonym for the giant squid. The team colors are ocean blues with a red “alert” eye that form the “S” logo that sort of resembles a sea serpent. However, like the Devils, they have not produced a remarkable artistic branding design. But, fans have made several awesome alternative designs. Their mascot is Buoy, a sea troll, introduced in 2022. It’s…not great. But I guess mascots are supposed to be cute and kid-friendly.
Early in their history, they made a sad effort called “Cuddles”. Gritty (Philadelphia) did not approve.
Inside the Rink called the December 2024 matchup between the NJ Devils and Seattle Kraken the first edition “Cryptid Cup”. Devils were victorious!
Colorado Avalanche (1995)
In 1995, the Quebec Nordiques were moved to Denver to become the “Avs”. To accompany the snow theme, their early mascot was Howler, an awesome abominable snowman. Their alternate logo was a Yeti footprint. Unfortunately, the cryptid association turned ugly when Howler was forcibly retired in 2001 after the costumed mascot assaulted a fan, resulting in police involvement. Like all good cryptids, Howler vanished without a trace. Fans really miss him. Bring back Howler!
Honorable Mention Mascots
Philadelphia Flyers’ Gritty – A completely unknown creature that looks like a crazy orange muppet. Gritty has no direct connection to a legendary cryptid unless you really stretch and count the Philly Phanatic. He’s a league favorite and a true icon.
New York Islanders’ dragon, Sparky – The Islanders used to share the Nassau Coliseum with an Arena Football team called the New York Dragons who had Sparky as a mascot. It seems like a nostalgia move because no one can quite figure out how to connect a dragon to Long Island.
Dallas Stars Victor E. Green – An alien is the logical mascot from the “stars”.
Minnesota Wild’s Nordy – A fox-bear mashup. No one knows what animal he represents.
Utah Yetis? and the Future
With rumor of the Utah Yetis running hot, some have already begun envisioning a killer branding opportunity. But not everyone loves the name. Commenters on the rumor were confused by the choice, since Utah has no legend of Yetis, which are native to the Himalayas. A better choice might have been Thunderbirds. However, Southern Utah university football has claimed that name already. Skinwalkers would have been very culturally insensitive, not to mention ghoulish.
Not all cryptids can become famous symbols. But one can dream. Find some fantasy cryptid league team merch from Amazon seller “For-tee-an: Fashion for the discerning Anomalist” – featuring the Point Pleasant Mothmen, the Fouke Monsters, and the Bray Road Beasts.
I’m certain many more minor leagues and amateur sports clubs invoke cryptids in their branding. Share the best ones I missed in the comments!
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