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Gritty voted best mascot by NHL players

Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Gritty signs goalie Mike McKenna's Gritty mask

Gritty is not just popular among hockey fans, he is a big hit with hockey players, too!

More than 500 players took part in the 2018-2019 NHL Players Association Player Poll and voted Gritty the Best NHL Team Mascot.

They were asked more than 20 hockey-related questions.

The NHLPA says it was a landslide victory when it came to the best mascot inquiry.

Gritty came in with 69.4% of the votes. Carlton the Bear of the Toronto Maple Leafs was a distant second with 2.7%.

Gritty, of course, had something to say about all this - in poem form:

"Roses are red,
The rumors are true,
#29NHLMascots,
I'm better than yous."

The orange, furry creature first emerged from his secret hideout in the Wells Fargo Center last fall and took the hockey world - and the entire world - by storm.

The Flyers' new mascot, Gritty, went from reviled to revered in record time.

Since making his debut, Gritty has been honored by Philadelphia City Council:

Philadelphia City Council honors Gritty. Karen Rogers reports during Action News Mornings on October 26, 2018.

Had his own Jeopardy! clue:

Gritty gets his own Jeopardy! clue on the January 15, 2019 episode.

Had a decent shot at being Time's Person of the Year:

Gritty nominates himself for TIME Magazine's 'Person of the Year'. Matt O'Donnell reports during Action News at 6 a.m. on November 21, 2018.

Appeared on Good Morning America:

Gritty appears on Good Morning America on September 25, 2018.

And Jimmy Kimmel Live!:

Guillermo, Gritty visit Pat's Steaks. Tamala Edwards reports during Action News Mornings on October 12, 2018.

And even the 6abc/Dunkin' Donuts Thanksgiving Parade!

Gritty smothers Karen Rogers with a giant hug during his very first Thanksgiving parade!

As the NHLPA put it, "Congratulations, rookie!"

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