About a month ago, the Canadiens announced they'd
signed Youppi, the erstwhile Expos mascot, making the orange critter the Habs' first official mascot. He was also reported to be the
first pro sports mascot to switch leagues, a claim that overlooks the accomplishments of
Sparky the Dragon, Nassau's double-duty hockey and soccer mascot.
Accustomed as he is to baseball's gentlemanly standards of behavior, one hopes Youppi can survive the comparatively savage NHL. The fuzzy whatsit was the first mascot ejected from a Major League Baseball game, when, in the 11th inning of a 1989 Expos/Dodgers bout, Dodgers skipper Tommy Lasorda complained to the umpires about Youppi's dancing on his dugout. Welcome to hockey, Youppi, where coaches don't grouse to the officials about mascots; they just
tear their floppy red tongues out.
Youppi made his on-ice debut last night against the Boston Bruins, as Montrealers paid tribute to their departed baseball franchise. He was reported to be
"an instant hit with the fans."