NHL gets its own Angry Bird, as HockeyBird debuts at Dodger Stadium game
If the NHL’s good at anything, it’s good at (1) making parents buy crap for their kids and (2) latching onto a cultural trend slightly behind the curve.
Both of these things help explain the existence of “HockeyBird.”
Yes, while you were playing Candy Crush and Flappy Bird and letting your Angry Birds Seasons linger in app purgatory, the NHL and Rovio have partnered to create its own hockey-fied version of the feathered cannonballs.
From the NHL:
NHL® HockeyBird™ bids farewell to the Angry Birds flock to pursue his NHL dream. After his top selection in the NHL Mascot Draft, NHL® HockeyBird™, who serves as a symbol of the energy, intensity and joy of the game, will make his NHL debut during the Kings-Ducks outdoor game on Saturday, January 25. A virtual version of NHL® HockeyBird™ will appear on stadium screens in two animated crowd games using voice activated fan engagement technology created by Uplause, Ltd.
“NHL® HockeyBird™ shares many of the NHL values: passion, toughness, courage, sacrifice, honor, teamwork, respect, and commitment”, said Peter Vesterbacka, Mighty Eagle and CMO of Rovio Entertainment. “NHL® HockeyBird™ likes to play hard and fair, and has a courageous, never-give-up attitude – something we call ‘sisu’ up here in Finland.”
“Our partnership with Rovio is one more example of a powerful global brand with a strong interest in engaging with our fans and being a part of our game in a way that benefits all parties,” said Brian Jennings, NHL Chief Marketing Officer. “We anticipate NHL® HockeyBird™ to be very popular with hockey fans of all ages.”
In addition to its appearance during the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium SeriesTM game in Los Angeles on January 25, NHL® HockeyBird™ also will be in attendance for the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™ games in New York on January 26 and January 29, and at Soldier Field in Chicago on March 1; and the 2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™ in Vancouver on March 2.
Honestly, we don’t even know how HockeyBird is participating in these games without a visor …
A few thoughts on this amazing new edition to our hockey family …
1. This Isn't Even Our First Hockey Bird
Please recall the 2012 IIHF world championship in Finland, whose mascot was ... a Hockey Bird. Did they at least get a new plushie costume to bring to the U.S.?
2. The Bird Looks Like Miro Satan
Indisputable.
3. Please Tell Us This Leads To An NHL-Themed Angry Birds
In which the pigs are replaced by Stormy, the Carolina Hurricanes mascot; Tyler Kennedy; the Iowa Chops mascot; and Ken Hitchcock, pictured below.
4. Hey, Remember When The NHL Last Created Characters That Appeals To Young Fans In a Transparent Attempt to Sell Merch?
OH NOES DEVIN DARK !!!!!!!
5. That Said, We Do Hope To See HockeyBird Interacting With Other NHL Mascots, Past And Present
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is the editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
