A St. Albert youth helped hype the crowd at an Edmonton Oilers game last weekend in his secret identity as the team’s new mini-mascot.
The Edmonton Oilers beat the New Jersey Devils 4-1 last Dec. 10 at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Hyping up the crowd was the team’s mascot, Hunter the Lynx, joined for the first time by his miniature sidekick Kit, who was portrayed by St. Albert’s Hudson Harrington.
Hudson, 13, was one of the winners of the Oilers’ Next Gen Game contest, which saw youths enter for a chance to take on various fan support jobs for a game.
While other youths applied to be reporters, announcers, or anthem singers, Hudson tried out for mascot. A hockey player and fan since he was four, the W.D. Cuts student said his winning video entry showed him sliding down rails, doing back-flips on a trampoline, and performing other stunts as he cheered for the Oilers.
“It sounded so cool,” he said of the contest, and winning it would be a dream come true.
Hudson said he got the news that he had won on about Nov. 3 less than a week after the contest closed.
“I was just shocked. I had no words for the moment. I couldn’t even comprehend what happened.”
Showtime
Hudson said it was hard to keep his win a secret all month, as the existence of Kit was classified until the Dec. 10 game.
Hudson’s mother, Colleen Harrington, said her son had a rehearsal at Rogers Place on Nov. 29 where he got to experience all the behind-the-scenes details of an NHL broadcast.
Hudson said the mascot costume felt amazing, although it was also kind of hot and made it so that you couldn’t see anyone above the waist, as you had to see through the costume’s mouth. Hunter taught him how to perform the various skits and duties of a mascot, instructing him to always keep his head moving and to be super enthusiastic.
On game day, Hudson said he and Hunter had to shuffle out onto the ice whilst concealed in a large blue-and-orange gift box. When the big moment came, Hunter threw off the roof of the box as Hudson kicked down the walls, revealing Kit to the world.
“It was so cool to see everyone surprised that there was a second mascot with Hunter,” Hudson said.
Hudson said he spent three hours working the crowds with Hunter, tossing out t-shirts and socks and schmoozing with excited young fans. He also took part in an interview with Sportsnet reporter Gene Principe. (As Kit doesn’t speak, Hudson replied to Principe with nods and shakes of his head.) While he didn’t get to see much of the game, he did get to head out onto the ice and wave a large flag.
Hudson said he didn’t get to keep the Kit costume after the game, but did get a lot of Oilers memorabilia signed by Hunter, and a greater respect for what goes on behind an NHL game. He said he would love the chance to play Kit again, adding that it would be pretty cool to become a professional mascot.
Colleen said the support they got from the Oilers staff during this event was phenomenal.
“It was a day he will never forget,” she said.
“It was pretty awesome as a parent to watch it, as you just know it means the world to them.”
Edmonton Oilers representatives could not be reached for comment by deadline.