1990-91 ProCards AHL/IHL #294 – The Moose
Some old school hockey fans might think of Mark Messier when they hear a reference to “The Moose.” Yes, Messier was indeed moose-like–big, strong and hard to knock over–during his playing career. True hockey fans, however, know that hockey’s real moose is none other than The Moose–the mascot for the Rochester Americans.
I never understood why a moose, of all things, was a mascot for a team called the Americans. Why not a personified American flag, or an apple pie, or some sort of cartoon-y Revolutionary War soldier similar to the NFL’s New England Patriots, circa 1986.
So, I did a little digging (very little) and discovered that The Moose originally began as a mascot for the Rochester-area radio station WMJQ in 1979. That same year, the Moose also started appearing at Americans games. The next season, the Moose became the official team mascot, and a year later he was no longer affiliated with the station.Guess he didn’t have a face for radio, eh?
This card is from the 1990-91 ProCards AHL/IHL set. The back of the card informs us of The Moose’s height (7 feet), weight (300 pounds) and birthplace (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan…as if you had to ask).
Related Posts:
When I hear Moose, I think of Moose Vasko. Now maybe you get get a moose hoof print signed card.
Vasko, Dupont, Minnesota/Manitoba – moose are everywhere!
I actually own TWO Minnesota Moose jerseys, if you can believe that. One home, one away.
I thought this was going to be a post about Johan Hedberg. Man was I disappointed.
Just kidding.
Vasko, Dupont AND Hedberg. Lots of moose running around.
If you want to go football, you can add Daryl “Moose” Johnston, ex-Cowboy and current commentating annoyance on Fox. Or there was a baseball player for the Yankees in the 50s I think named Moose Skowron. Or if you really want to go obscure, there was this men’s doubles tennis player in the 1970s named Moose Knuckle McGee. He wore his pants way too tight.
Ok, maybe I made that last one up.