The NHL’s First Hall of Fame Mascot:
A Triple Pun and a United Center Legend
Chicago, IL · Hockey
★Mascot Hall of Fame — Class of 2017
| Team / Organization | Chicago Blackhawks |
|---|---|
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| League / Division | NHL |
| First Debuted | 2001 (the 2001–02 NHL season) |
| Species / Type | Hawk (anthropomorphic; wears the four iconic Blackhawks feathers) |
| Best Known For | First NHL mascot ever inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame; high-energy United Center performances; NHL Mascot of the Year |
| Year Inducted | 2017 |
Profile
Tommy Hawk made history in 2019 as the first NHL mascot ever inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame — a landmark moment for hockey mascot recognition. He joined the Blackhawks in 2001 and has been energizing United Center crowds ever since, with the kind of high-flying acrobatics the Blackhawks dynasty era deserved.
Fun Facts
- Tommy Hawk was introduced in 2001 during a Blackhawks transition period, tasked with maintaining fan energy through lean years before the championship runs of 2010, 2013, and 2015.
- His 2017 induction as the first NHL mascot in the Mascot Hall of Fame was a milestone for hockey as a sport — the NHL had been notably underrepresented in the Hall despite being one of the four major North American leagues.
- The name ‘Tommy Hawk’ is a triple pun: the team name (Blackhawks), the weapon (tomahawk), and a plausible human first name — a wordplay hat trick.