Youppi is turning 40 and is a lasting legacy to the Montreal Expos.  He was the first mascot to switch sports (see Wikipedia clip below) and is now the Canadians mascot. For his birthday Youppi received a video from several professional mascots wishing him well. These video compilations are easier than ever to shoot** and compile for use on social media and the scoreboard.  Iphone video has resolution suitable and a a simple editor can make it all seem like the work of a seasoned editor.

Shout out to the Golden Knights for bringing it home in style.

Youppi! as the Canadiens’ mascot
After the Expos moved to Washington, D.C. and became the Washington Nationals, the Nationals initially stated that Youppi! would still be a part of the team in some capacity. However, the team adopted a new mascot, the eagle “Screech”. For months after the move, the fate of Youppi! hung in the balance. Negotiations were held with ten groups, including the Montreal Alouettes.

On September 16, 2005, the Montreal Canadiens announced that Youppi! would become the first official mascot of the organization, and the first mascot to ever switch between any two major sports leagues in North America. The terms of acquisition were reportedly in the six figures. Youppi! now sports the Canadiens’ bleu-blanc-rouge (blue, white, and red) jersey. Youppi!’s first game in the Bell Centre was on October 18, 2005.

** now if we can just teach the Phanatic to shoot in landscape mode.

Pas tous les amis de Youppi! ont pu être là ce soir, mais ils avaient tout de même un message très spécial pour ses 40 ans.

Not all of Youppi!'s pals could make it tonight, but talk about friendship goals. pic.twitter.com/aDPPUHbB3X

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 13, 2019