Canadiens adopt Youppi! as their mascot
Abandoned when Expos moved, mascot first in pro sports to switch leagues
 Ian Barrett / AP Montreal Canadiens new mascot Youppi! tapes up a hockey stick in the Canadiens dressing room on Friday. Youppi! was the Montreal Expos' mascot before the team moved to Washington, DC. |
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MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens have hired former Expos mascot Youppi!
Youppi!, the Expos’ furry, orange mascot before the team relocated and became the Washington Nationals, is coming out of retirement to join one of the NHL’s most storied clubs.
Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey considered the mascot a good catch.
“With the Expos no longer in existence and him needing a home, I think the Montreal Canadians and Youppi! will fit nicely together,” Gainey said at a news conference as the mascot sported the team’s famous red jersey.
Youppi!’s last official event was Sept. 29, 2004, when the Expos played their final home game at the Olympic Stadium.
Ray Lalonde, the Canadiens marketing manager, said Youppi! is the first mascot in professional sports to move from one league to another.
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Youppi! will have his first faceoff against another team at the Bell Centre on Oct. 18 against the Boston Bruins.
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