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Why the Chicago Blackhawks Should Get a Team Puppy

By Tony Gianares

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 12: A Chicago Blackhawks fan cheers in the 3rd period during an NHL hockey game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks on January 12, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 12: A Chicago Blackhawks fan cheers in the 3rd period during an NHL hockey game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks on January 12, 2019, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo By Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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An interesting trend is developing in the NHL tying team puppies and success together. Maybe the Chicago Blackhawks should look into this.

Recently, teams around the NHL have introduced team puppies to the world, and it has been a fun and refreshing experience. Fun and refreshing usually aren’t mentioned in the same sentence as the NHL, but that is exactly what these cute, little furballs bring to the table.

It’s a great marketing scheme, so kudos to the Winnipeg Jets for starting an awesome trend in hockey. The whole team puppy idea was started when the Jets hired a “security puppy” named Lenny back in 2017.

Slowly, but surely, we have been seeing more puppies around the NHL. These puppies will be training to become guide dogs. I think it’s a great idea and it’s for a great cause. There are currently 11 puppies that are working with, or have previously worked with, NHL teams:

Lenny (Winnipeg Jets)

https://twitter.com/NHLJets/status/1088168725948313600

Radar (New York Islanders)

https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1133730399924969472

Rookie (Ottawa Senators)

Ranger (New York Rangers)

Flambo (Montreal Canadiens)

Barclay (St. Louis Blues)

https://www.twitter.com/stlouisblues/status/1073300044487389184

Bolt (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Finn (San Jose Sharks)

https://twitter.com/SharksPup/status/1163600744613724160

Smash (Nashville Predators)

Nigel (Washington Capitals)

Breezer (Minnesota Wild)

Why the Chicago Blackhawks Need a Team Puppy

First and foremost, I will lead with the fact that they’re extremely adorable. If the above videos didn’t melt your heart, then I’m not sure what to tell you. The Blackhawks would also be helping to train a puppy for a great cause and that’s something I can get behind in a heartbeat.

More from Blackhawk Up

The Blackhawks have a history of working with dogs in other capacities. Former Stanley Cup playoff hero, Bryan Bickell, and his wife, Amanda, started a foundation called the Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation.

Their foundation works with Pitbulls that have been abandoned, abused, or neglected in the past. Also, they provide service dogs to individuals who are affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

Lastly, there’s a trend that I have noticed with the teams that have worked with puppies. 7 of the 11 teams were playoff teams in 2019 (NYI, STL, and TBL) and the St. Louis Blues ended up winning the Stanley Cup.

I’m not sure if it’s the puppies, but it wouldn’t hurt the Chicago Blackhawks organization to give it a shot.

While we’re at it, let’s just get every NHL team its own puppy. This is the ultimate win-win situation and it would help bring more national attention to an amazing sport that could really use it.

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