Social media not kind to new Oilers mascot
Posted Sep 26, 2016 1:40 pm.
Last Updated Sep 26, 2016 5:04 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The new Edmonton Oilers mascot has the world of social media buzzing.
The Oilers unveiled “Hunter” the Canadian lynx and while most sports mascots are known to be friendly and cuddly, Edmonton’s choice is raising eyebrows.
Bradley Karp with City’s Dinner Television in the provincial capital is puzzled with the selection.
“Obviously the mascot is for the children, but pretty much every adult that I’ve spoken to thinks it’s a scary look,” he said. “Most people are comparing it to something you’d maybe see in a horror movie.”
The mascot is named after (Wild) Bill Hunter, the original owner of the Alberta Oilers when they entered the Western Hockey Association in 1972. Hunter will wear No. 72 on the back of his Oilers jersey.
The club said the Canadian lynx was the overwhelming favourite when the team polled over 2,220 Edmonton-area students on what mascot concept they preferred.
The Calgary Flames visit the Oilers at Rogers Place Monday night, as part of preseason split-squad action.
