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Greg Wyshynski, ESPNJan 19, 2024, 07:01 AM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
When the Anaheim Ducks celebrate a win on the ice this season, there’s a more bizarre celebration happening on social media: a duck triumphantly slamming its webbed feet on a drum, in a room filled with team memorabilia.
Did we mention this duck’s name is Ben Afquack?
Ben Afquack is drummin’ his way to the closest honky tonk on Broadway! #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/QbRDMU4viR
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) January 10, 2024
“After a win, we’re trying to capitalize on all the good feelings, good emotions, good vibes,” said Tyler Pistoia, the digital content producer for Anaheim. “The duck is a fantastic way to, pardon the pun, drum up more positivity. ‘Hey we got the win. Oh, Ben Afquack is here, let’s go!’ The rallying cry for wins is that little guy.”
Pistoia learned about the drumming duck from Sarah Montecinos, assistant manager for entertainment and production for Anaheim. She saw the fowl dancing on Instagram and noticed that he had almost 100,000 followers.
The first thing that struck Pistoia is that the duck had “fitness model” in his bio. The second was that this dancing duck had worked with sports teams, but never one in hockey.
The first team Ben Afquack partnered with was Minnesota Aurora FC, a community-owned club playing in the USL W League. He appeared in a video in which he kicked a mini soccer ball. Then the St. Paul Saints, the minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, wanted a piece of the duck. But Derek Johnson, keeper of Ben Afquack, was blown away when the Ducks called on him.
“Growing up in Minnesota, I am a lifelong hockey fan, so receiving a message from an NHL team was surreal,” Johnson said. “I immediately took a screenshot of the message and sent it to friends and family, before I even replied to the message. I was very excited to work with the Ducks — even though I am a Minnesota Wild fan.”
Pistoia had a clear vision for Ben Afquack: Have…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39330924/nhl-anaheim-ducks-victory-mascot-ben-afquack-social-media
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-01-19 11:07:39
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