The 2011 IIHF World Championship Organizing Committee in collaboration with Radio Express have announced a ‘2011 IIHF WM name the mascot’ competition on the most listened to Slovak radio station in Slovakia.

With a white-blue fur, a smile on his face, a hockey stick in his hands and wearing the national top. The official 2011 IIHF World Championship mascot is a friendly wolf. Theirs is only one thing he is lacking – a name.

The name for the mascot for the most renowned sporting event in Slovakia can be decided on by anyone who joins the competition on www.expres.sk before the 22nd of April. In the first phase name suggestions can be sent, in the second phase – starting April 15th – voting for the suggestions in the narrowed down selection starts.

The wolf will be christening it’s new name exactly one year before the tournament commences, i.e. 29th April 2010. The winner will receive two exclusive VIP passes to all IIHF 2011 world championship games.

The mascot was created by graphic designer Roy Wedem from Infront Sports & Media consultancy. Zugu – one of the foremost international sports marketing agencies based in Switzerland is a long-term International Ice Hockey federation (IIHF) partner, participating annually in the IIHF world championships. Zugo is also an 2011 IIHF World Championship organizing committee consultant.

The choice of a wolf as the 2011 IIHF World Championship mascot was approved by the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation at their assembly. “a wolf is an animal which is typically Slovak, evoking our forests and countryside” – said Igor Nemeček, General director of the IIHF 2011 world championship regarding the choice.
“We want all hockey fans and the entire Slovak nation to have the chance to decide on the wolf’s name” - explained Igor Nemecek in terms of the reasons why the organizing committee has decided to collaborate with Radio Expres on announcing the nationwide competition.