The Two Best NHL Mascots Belong To The Same Hockey Team

If you’ve been to a New York Islanders game in the past 15 years, you’ve likely seen Sparky the Dragon strutting his stuff. Sparky, who was originally the mascot for the New York Dragons Arena Football team, seamlessly transitioned into hockey, swapping his fiery red and black for the Islanders' royal blue and orange.

His hockey stick-shaped tail and enthusiastic antics made him a hit among fans, despite the oddity of a dragon cheering for an ice hockey team.

When the Islanders moved to the Barclays Center in 2015, Sparky was initially benched, only to be brought back due to fan demand and lackluster ticket sales. His return was met with cheers, solidifying his place in Islanders history. Sparky’s adaptability and charm have made him a beloved figure at games, even if his dragon roots seem a bit out of place for a hockey mascot.

NHL.com

Enter Nyisles, the "seafaring Islander," who originally represented the team from 1995 to 1998. After a long hiatus, Nyisles made a triumphant return on December 10, 2022, with a modernized look. This comeback, paired with the reintroduction of the Fisherman logo on the team's retro uniforms, brought a wave of nostalgia and excitement to Islanders fans.

Now, with Sparky and Nyisles both donning the Islanders' colors, fans get double the fun and excitement at games. Whether you prefer the fiery charm of Sparky or the nautical flair of Nyisles, there’s no denying that these mascots bring a unique energy to the team.

Book Sparky and Nyisles for Your Event!

Who better to have at your next event than Sparky or Nyisles, the official mascots of the New York Islanders? Available throughout the year, Sparky and Nyisles promise to bring fun and excitement wherever they go!

**Pricing Per Mascot:**

- $450 - Birthdays, weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, etc.

- $350 – Non-profit events

- $500 - Corporate Events

*Prices are based on a 30-minute appearance per mascot. All events are at the discretion of the New York Islanders. Events are booked based on availability; requests are not guaranteed.*

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From Lumberjacks to Thunder Chickens -- Upstate New York Loves Their School Mascots

This is a list of Upstate New York's favorite, colorful, and somewhat wacky school mascots. No matter how weird they get, the schools love them and they adore their mascots and school logos.

What is a thunder chicken? And why did a small rural school pick witches as their team mascot? And what on earth is a "sawyer?"

Take a look at these mascots. Some of them will leave you scratching your head!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

23 CNY School Mascots That Will Have to Change Name

There are several schools in Central New York that will be required to change their team logos and mascots after the state school board voted to eliminate Native American names.

Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams

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