Jazz Bear rides his bike out onto the floor (Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Jazz Bear will be pulling double-duty this season serving as the mascot for both the Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club.
In a video posted to the team’s social media pages, Utah Hockey Club head coach André Tourigny, coincidentally also nicknamed “Bear” calls the Jazz mascot asking for his help.
Related: Utah Hockey Club Adds Statue Outside Delta Center
A very important mission, from one Bear to another. 💭#UtahHC | @utahjazzbear pic.twitter.com/kLUVvfvpJ0
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) October 7, 2024
“Hey Bear, it’s Coach Bear, we’ll really need your help during the season this year,” Tourigny says via a video call. “We’d like you to get our crowd going, give us some energy, and put the party in the building, can you do that for us?”
Jazz Bear then received a package with a black Utah Hockey Sweater inside, adorned with the number 00 and Bear on the nameplate.
With 41 home games in both leagues, Jazz Bear will double his workload during the concurrent NHL and NBA seasons.
The Utah Hockey Club opens its regular season on Tuesday amid the Jazz’s six-game preseason schedule.
The Jazz open the regular season on October 23 at home against the Memphis Grizzlies as the two leagues begin to alternate home appearances at the Delta Center.
Give us your best caption 🐻🏒⬇️#UtahHC #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/F6G25HC1kE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 3, 2024
Related: Join the Utah Hockey Club discussion here!
In addition to working game nights, the Jazz Bear also makes frequent public appearances representing the organization.
The Utah Hockey Club is using temporary branding for its inaugural season but will adopt a permanent name and mascot ahead of the 2025-26 campaign via fan vote.
The Smith Entertainment Group announced six finalists for the Utah Hockey Club’s future identity in June.
These are the nicknames that were available for fans to vote on:
The NHL season concludes on April 15 while the Jazz season will wrap up on April 13.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.