HockeyBird was found floating on an ice shelf in the Baltic Sea. He was wearing a helmet, a pair of skates, holding a stick as he was practicing fantastic moves on his own. His point of origin is unknown, but the world’s leading experts place his birthplace somewhere in the Arctic Sea. According to one theory, HockeyBird’s ice shelf has broken off a bigger one during a hockey game. While there are no sightings of any other birds of the same species, it is highly unlikely that HockeyBird could have developed such skills without playing with and against top class players.

The disoriented bird was taken to the Finnish Institute of Animal Studies for observation when his fondness for fish stick and waffles was quickly noted. In further testing, HockeyBird was found to have sensory sensitivity towards black and white stripes, and the sound of a whistle. As soon as it saw a black and white stripe pattern, HockeyBird cooled down, and a whistle, in turn, made it stop whatever it was doing.

Also, HockeyBird was very protective of its puck, and it would get aggressive and its behavior unpredictable if the puck was touched. As soon as it got possession of the puck again, HockeyBird calmed down.

HockeyBird was then let live in a hockey rink where it built its nest in an equipment storage and played hockey when nobody else was using the ice. With the rising fish stick prices, the 2012 hockey world championship organization, HockeyBird’s sponsor, had to make a decision. HockeyBird would either have to be set free or it would have to work for its food. That’s why the tournament organization then made it the official mascot of the 2012 tournament, giving HockeyBird a chance to support itself by doing what it loves the most: playing hockey.

HockeyBird
• Loves hockey, the crowd, puck battles, and team spirit
• Very protective of its puck. Don’t touch the puck. Ever. Really.
• Conditioned to listen to the referee. Obeys a whistle.
• Positive and enthusiastic in front of a crowd. Likes fair play.
• Unpredictable outside the rink: absent-minded, unfocused, runs away.
• To counter that, needs a “bird whisperer” dressed in a referee’s uniform. Just in case. Will be a busy person.

Name: HockeyBird
Born: Yes, other details unknown
Position: Left defenseman (a scout’s evaluation)
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 108 kg
Favorite food: Fish sticks, waffles and strawberry jam
Favorite music: Hard rock
Motto: Puck sweet puck

HockeyBird is the official mascot of the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. It was designed by Toni Kysenius, Lead Artist at Rovio Entertainment, the company behind Angry Birds.