Heavenly Intervention in Alberta Hockey
An Alberta junior hockey team has found a divine way to psych out their opponents, using an angel mascot to deliver silent judgment from the penalty box area. The Spruce Grove Saints of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) have deployed Chucky the Angel for a unique new role this season that's quickly going viral.
The 'Sin Bin' Stunt That's Taking Over Hockey
During home game television timeouts when an opposing player serves time in the penalty box, the full-angel-costumed mascot skates over and positions himself directly in front of the glass. Chucky then stands completely still, offering nothing but silent, heavenly judgment to the penalized player while fans watch in amusement.
The tactic gained national attention after ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported on the phenomenon this week. According to the Saints' communications director Trevor Miller, the team is thrilled with how opponents are taking the lighthearted psychological warfare. "Honestly, it was a great moment and we're happy that the player from the other team took things so light-heartedly as well," Miller said.
Meet the Teen Behind the Heavenly Hijinks
The performer inside the Chucky suit this season is 14-year-old student Eric Weidman, who told ESPN he can barely contain his laughter during the routine. "I'm smiling inside the suit, grinning ear to ear, and I'm trying not to laugh," Weidman revealed.
The idea for the angelic intervention came spontaneously during a game last month against the Trail Smoke Eaters. "It was during a TV timeout and the T-shirt toss. I'm like, 'OK, this would be really fricking funny.' I'm like, 'Oh yeah, this is ironic to me. I'm dressed like an angel,'" Weidman explained.
The mascot has performed this move three times this season, most notably during the Saints' 5-4 overtime victory against the Vernon Vipers on Friday, November 15. When Vipers forward Leon Bussmann received a misconduct penalty for an illegal head check, Chucky made his move. Video footage shows Bussmann cracking a smile despite the heavenly scrutiny.
In what might be considered divine justice, Bussmann redeemed himself by scoring in the third period to force overtime. "I think he repented for his sins and things went his way," Weidman joked about the opponent's comeback.
Despite the creative antics and a respectable 10-8 record, the Saints were sitting second from the bottom in the Interior East Division as of Wednesday night. The team introduced Chucky as their mascot back in 2019, complete with halo and wings, but this season marks his evolution into hockey's first celestial enforcer.
