Super skills:
Un"Bear"able slap shot and able to lead Leafs' fans in roaring "Go Leafs Go!" chants
Little known fact:
Named after Maple Leafs Gardens' address and should surpass Leafs' great George Armstrong in games during the 2023-24 season, barring any un"bear"able circumstances
Rival: Spartacat
October 10, 1995 was a memorable night in Toronto, not only because the Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 7-3 in the home-opener, it was also the evening that the team's mascot, Carlton the Bear, made his roaring official debut.
Over the course of his career, Carlton has led a countless number of "Go Leafs Go" cheers. He has not only taken in memorable Toronto events like the final Leafs' game at Maple Leaf Gardens and the opening of the Air Canada Centre, but more importantly than that, he has put a countless amount of smiles on people's faces.
The last two seasons have been momentous for the lovable Toronto mascot, as the Leafs have knocked off one of their Canadian rivals, the Ottawa Senators twice. Last year was especially gratifying for Carlton and Toronto, as the Sens didn't even win one playoff game, losing four straight to the Leafs in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
A few years ago, the likeable bear also witnessed some great Leafs' hockey, with the dramatic overtime goal scored by Steve Thomas in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at the Centre against Ottawa standing out in his mind. These wins over Ottawa are so special for Carlton because they not only mean that his team advances in the postseason, but also because it gives him bragging rights over one of his biggest rivals, Spartacat, the official mascot of the Senators.
Carlton the Bear also chaired the first annual Mascot Summit
during the NHL's 50th All-Star Game held in Toronto in the 1999-00
season. Every NHL mascot was present to discuss (through
interpreters of course) topics ranging from creating fun on the
videoboard, to community appearances, to how to get nacho
cheese out of one's fur!
But not all of Carlton's good times have come at home in Toronto.
This bear loves to travel the globe and visit new places. Over his
career, his paws have touched down in places such as
Montreal, Boston, Ottawa, Vancouver, Buffalo, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Washington, Tampa
Bay, New Jersey and New York.
Carlton likes to keep track of how many Leafs games he's attended
and entering this season, only 130 Leafs players have more games
under their belts. Carlton is scheduled to pass Leafs great George
Armstrong during the 2023-24 season. Carlton also hopes this
achievement will put him in the running to have his jersey number
60 retired to the rafters with all the other Leaf greats of the
past. In his career, the bear has made appearances in 17 cities
and has tossed 4,153 T-shirts into the crowd. Even though
this action puts a strain on his paws, he doesn't mind as he'll
do anything to make hockey fans happy.
When he's not entertaining the fans, Carton likes to stay at
home and take in Leafs' game, where he watches closely the
play of his current favorite player, Tomas Ka"bear"le, while
eating giant pretzels and arena nachos. The Bear also likes
to listen to his favorite group, "Bear" Naked Ladies or watch
his favorite movie, The Bad News Bears.
Position: Team Mascot
Shoots: Left
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 270 lbs
Favourite Food: Giant Pretzels, Arena Nachos and Cotton Candy (when it's not getting stuck in his fur)
Favourtie Leaf; Mats Sundin
Favourite Music Group: "Bear" Naked Ladies
Acquired: 1995
Snapshot
Since debuting as the Maple Leafs' official mascot in 1995, Carlton the Bear has become the coolest mascot in the NHL. He is a polar bear afterall!.
More on Carlton
- Has tossed over 8000 t-shirts since joining the team
- Has visited 20 NHL arenas and appeared at seven NHL All-Star Games
- List his best friend as the Raptor
- Gary Robert's Triple OT winner against Ottawa in 2002 is his favourite Leaf goal of all time
- Lists Ottawa (1st), Montreal (2nd), Detroit (3rd) and Philly (4th) as his favourite NHL opponents
Celebrities met include Mike Myers, The Bare Naked Ladies, Avril Lavigne, Trish Stratus, Catriona Lemay Doan, Salma Hayek, Edward Norton, Mike Weir, Alex Trebek, Donovan Bailey, Silken Laumann, Marnie McBean, Doug Flutie, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, The Hanson Brothers, Shania Twain and more!