The National Hockey League (NHL) is home to 31 teams, each with its own unique identity and fan base. One prominent feature of many professional sports teams is the presence of a mascot, a character who entertains fans and represents the team's spirit. However, there are currently six NHL franchises without mascots. While the absence of mascots may seem unusual, these teams have chosen to focus on other aspects of their brand and fan experience. The reasons for this vary, with some teams opting for a more traditional approach, while others believe that the players themselves are the main attraction. **Despite not having mascots, these franchises have found ways to engage and entertain their fans, highlighting the significance of the on-ice product and creating a strong sense of community.
"Rin Chupeco's marvelously magical WICKED AS YOU WISH is a great read for fans of fairy tales, myths and legends. In fact, avid fans will want to read it two, three, or four times just to catch all the twists, updates and Easter eggs, as nearly every chapter is loaded with delights. Come for the adventure, stay for the sassy jerkwad firebird." -- Kendare Blake #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series
Attempts to infiltrate Avalon begin in the form of mysterious portals that start appearing without warning bringing nightwalkers, ice maidens, and even a surly dragon. An unforgettable alternative history fairy-tale series from the author of The Bone Witch about found family, modern day magic, and finding the place you belong.
**Despite not having mascots, these franchises have found ways to engage and entertain their fans, highlighting the significance of the on-ice product and creating a strong sense of community.** While mascots can be beloved figures and add an extra layer of fun to the game, these teams have shown that they can thrive without them. Instead, they rely on the quality of the sport and the passion of their fan base to create an engaging and exciting game-day experience.
Wicked as You Wish - (A Hundred Names for Magic) by Rin Chupeco
Years after the evil Snow Queen desolated the magical kingdom of Avalon, Prince Alexei, his friend Tala, and a ragtag band, inspired by the appearance of the Firebird, try to reclaim their land.
Book Synopsis
What if every story you'd ever heard was true? Jack killed the giants. Red slayed the wolf. Rapunzel fled the tower. But the greatest one of all, had yet to be told.
Once upon a time, the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left to wither and die after the Snow Queen encased it in ice. Its former citizens are now refugees. Which is why crown prince Alex and his protectors are stuck in. Arizona.
Tala Makiling has lived her life as an outsider. Her family curse, the one that's doomed her to be a spellbreaker, someone who destroys magic, hasn't won her too many friends. Except Alex, who trusts her and her family to keep his royal identity a secret.
And then one night, a famous creature of legend, the Firebird, appears in their tiny town, reigniting hope for their abandoned homeland. Alex and Tala team up with a ragtag group of new friends to journey back to Avalon. Their path is filled with danger--from deadly prophecies, to terrifying ice wolves, a traitor among them, and the Snow Queen herself. But if they succeed. their story would be legendary.
"A great read for fans of fairy tales, myths and legends. Come for the adventure, stay for the sassy jerkwad firebird."--Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series
Gripping, fantastical, and delightfully funny, Wicked As You Wish is perfect for readers looking for:
- young adult magic, mythology, and folklore
- LGBTQ representation
- diverse characters
- creative new takes on classic stories
- fresh and dazzling world building
Praise for Wicked As You Wish:
"Combining legends, myths, fairy tales, and classic children's literature from Oz to Neverland, Chupeco (The Bone Witch) creates an enchanting story that is both a feast for the senses and a unique spin on the hero's journey. A nail-biting quest that introduces a gripping new series."--STARRED review, Publishers Weekly
". A truly original novel. A deftly executed melding of folklore and reality grounded in contemporary issues."--STARRED review, Kirkus
Review Quotes
"An enchanting story that is both a feast for the senses and a unique spin on the hero's journey." -- Publishers Weekly (Starred review)
"Chupeco. has brought readers a truly original novel. A deftly executed melding of folklore and reality grounded in contemporary issues." -- Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)
"Glorious." -- Shelf Awareness
"Readers looking for a vibrant, Harry Potteresque fantasy full of secrets, spies, magic, monsters, and mayhem need look no further. " -- Booklist
"Rin Chupeco's marvelously magical WICKED AS YOU WISH is a great read for fans of fairy tales, myths and legends. In fact, avid fans will want to read it two, three, or four times just to catch all the twists, updates and Easter eggs, as nearly every chapter is loaded with delights. Come for the adventure, stay for the sassy jerkwad firebird." -- Kendare Blake #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series
"Combining legends, myths, fairy tales, and classic children's literature from Oz to Neverland, Chupeco (The Bone Witch) creates an enchanting story that is both a feast for the senses and a unique spin on the hero's journey…A nail-biting quest that introduces a gripping new series."—STARRED review, Publishers Weekly
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Reviews for "The Mascot Mirage: NHL Franchises without Team Representatives"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Nhl franchises without mascots". As a longtime hockey fan, I've always loved the energy and entertainment that mascots bring to the game. Without them, the games just feel empty and lacking that extra element of fun. It's like watching a game in silence. I understand that not every franchise has a mascot, but this book didn't even explore the history or reasons behind that. It was a missed opportunity to educate and engage readers on the topic. Overall, I would not recommend this book to any fellow hockey fans.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - This book was a total letdown. I was hoping to learn more about the franchises without mascots, but all I got was a shallow overview of the teams and their statistics. Where was the discussion about why these teams chose not to have mascots? Why didn't the author offer any insights or interviews from team representatives? The book felt incomplete and was lacking any real substance. I would not waste my time or money on this book again.
3. Mike - 2/5 - I couldn't really get into "Nhl franchises without mascots". The topic sounded interesting at first, but the execution fell short. The writing style was dry and lacked any excitement or engagement. I expected more anecdotes or stories from fans about how they felt without mascots, but it was just a series of basic facts and statistics. It felt like reading a textbook rather than a book about sports. I ended up skimming through most of it out of sheer boredom. Not recommended unless you're a die-hard stats junkie.