Which NHL mascot would you want with you in a bar fight?

By Dane Quinn | Mar 19, 2018

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 28: Carolina Hurricanes' mascot Stormy avoids the stick-check by Arizona Coyotes' mascot Howler the Coyote during the mascot game prior to the NHL All-Star Game on January 28, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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UNIONDALE, NY – FEBRUARY 16: Mascot, Sparky the Dragon of the New York Islanders looks on during their game against the Atlanta Thrashers fan on February 16, 2008 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

21. Sparky the Dragon (New York Islanders)

Sparky the Dragon is clearly a fan favorite on Long Island. The purple and orange dragon became the official mascot of the New York Islanders in 2001. The people of Long Island, New York, absolutely adored Sparky, but it all nearly came to an end.

In 2015, The New York Islanders officially relocated to Brooklyn. Unfortunately for Sparky, the team decided to leave him in the dungeon of the Nassau Coliseum. This infuriated the Islander faithful.

The fans of the Islanders created a petition on Change.org which caused the Islanders to rethink their decision to eliminate Sparky the Dragon as their mascot. As Mike Donnelly said in Blacksheep, “every vote counts,” because Sparky eventually resurfaced in Brooklyn.

As for Sparky himself, he’s been around the block. He served as the arena football team Dragons mascot until 2009. He’s not as busy as he used to be, so he would be a good guy to give a call if you ever need some backup. He’s unavailable 41 nights a year because the Islanders have been allergic to the playoffs for the better part of two decades.

If video game favorite Spyro is too busy burning his enemies, Sparky is a decent replacement. Be careful, though, because you could be charged with arson.

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