Youppi!

Creation and early years with the Expos

Youppi! was commissioned in 1979 by Montreal Expos vice-president Roger D. Landry, with input from broadcaster Rodger Brulotte. The mascot was designed by Bonnie Erickson of Acme Mascots, Inc., a former designer for Jim Henson's Muppets who also created characters like Miss Piggy. Erickson chose the mascot's distinctive orange colour as an homage to popular former Expos player Rusty Staub, who was nicknamed 'Le Grand Orange' by fans. Youppi! made its debut for the Expos on April 14, 1979, during a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Olympic Stadium.

The mascot's name, an exclamation of joy in French, is reflected in its jersey, which features an exclamation mark instead of a player number. For 26 seasons, Youppi! entertained Expos fans, with only five individuals portraying the character during that entire period. The first portrayer was Denis Desaulniers, who from 1979 to 1983 established much of the character's warm and fun-loving personality. Desaulniers also originated one of Youppi!'s signature moves, punching himself in the nose, which was initially a practical method to adjust the heavy costume head so he could see while staying in character.

The 1989 ejection and baseball notoriety

Youppi! earned a permanent place in baseball lore on August 23, 1989, by becoming the first mascot ever ejected from a Major League Baseball game. During the 11th inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Olympic Stadium, the mascot, portrayed that night by Claude Hubert, jumped onto the roof of the visitors' dugout. After landing with a loud crash, Youppi! then sneaked into a front-row seat, provoking the ire of Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda, who had a known distaste for mascots following a prior altercation with the Phillie Phanatic, complained to the umpiring crew. Umpire Bob Davidson subsequently ejected Youppi! from the contest, though the mascot later returned to the field after chants from the crowd.

Youppi! was confined to the Expos' side of the dugout for the remainder of the marathon game, which the Expos ultimately lost 1-0 in 22 innings. This incident cemented Youppi!'s reputation for irreverent humour and made it a frequent punchline for commentators like Atlanta Braves broadcaster Skip Caray. The mascot's fame was further solidified by its inclusion as one of only three mascots with a display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, sharing the honour with the Phillie Phanatic and the Famous Chicken. Pitcher Bill Lee also referenced Youppi! in interviews for Ken Burns's documentary series Baseball.

Transition to the Montreal Canadiens

Following the 2004 season, the Montreal Expos relocated to Washington, D.C., and were rebranded as the Washington Nationals. The new franchise initially suggested Youppi! might remain with the organization but ultimately created a new mascot, an eagle named Screech. This left the future of the orange mascot uncertain, with negotiations reportedly held with up to ten different groups, including the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. The situation was resolved on September 16, 2005, when the Montreal Canadiens announced they had acquired Youppi! as their first official mascot in franchise history.

The acquisition, reported to have cost a six-figure sum, made Youppi! the first mascot in North America to switch between two major professional sports leagues. The mascot was outfitted in a new bleu, blanc, rouge Canadiens jersey and made its Bell Centre debut on October 18, 2005. The transition was celebrated by fans, and Youppi! has since paid tribute to its baseball roots on special occasions, such as wearing Expos colours during a February 2012 game to honour the late Expos star Gary Carter. The mascot's unique cross-sport journey is a key part of its identity and appeal.

Portrayers and character development

Over its long history, a small group of performers have brought Youppi! to life, each contributing to the character's evolution. After Denis Desaulniers, Jean-Claude Tremblay took over from 1983 to 1985. Tremblay, who was hired initially to repair the costume, made several practical improvements, including securing the eyes and introducing washable materials to address complaints about the mascot's odour. He later left to pursue a career designing mascots for other teams, creating characters like Raymond for the Tampa Bay Rays. Claude Hubert portrayed Youppi! from 1985 to 1991 and was the performer involved in the famous 1989 ejection.

Jean-Simon Bibeau first performed as Youppi! from 1988 to 1990 while also holding a USA NCAA hockey record for goals scored in a season. He returned to the role in 2003 and, by 1995, was directing all of Youppi!'s activities. Bibeau continued with the mascot through its transition to the Canadiens and remains a key portrayer and director. The final Expos-era performer was Sylvain Ouellette, who held the role from 1996 to 2003. Ouellette's Spanish language skills and familiarity with Latin culture proved particularly valuable during the Expos' temporary relocation to play games in Puerto Rico.

• Denis Desaulniers (1979 to 1983): The original portrayer who established the character's personality.
• Jean-Claude Tremblay (1983 to 1985): Improved the costume and later became a mascot designer.
• Claude Hubert (1985 to 1991): The performer during the historic 1989 ejection.
• Jean-Simon Bibeau (1988 to 1990, 2003 to present): Director and long-term portrayer through both Expos and Canadiens eras.
• Sylvain Ouellette (1996 to 2003): Final Expos-era performer, known for his Spanish proficiency.

Honours and cultural impact

Youppi! has received significant recognition for its unique role in sports culture. In December 2019, the mascot was voted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, with the formal induction ceremony taking place in June 2020. This made Youppi! the first mascot representing a Canadian sports team to receive this honour. The character's display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame further highlights its historical significance in that sport. Beyond official halls of fame, Youppi! has been a frequent subject in popular culture, referenced in political cartoons by Montreal artist Terry 'Aislin' Mosher and featured in Ken Burns's documentary series Baseball.

The mascot remains a contender for contemporary accolades, having been nominated for Best NHL Mascot in the 2026 USA TODAY Sports Readers' Choice Awards, where it was ultimately named a runner-up. Youppi! has also transcended its game-day role to become a fixture at Montreal festivals and community events. In the summer of 2026, the mascot was featured in a viral video for the Montreal Jazz Festival and was seen entertaining music fans at events on Parc Jean Drapeau. These activities demonstrate its enduring popularity as a civic symbol and its active role in the cultural life of the city.

METAL! and other appearances

In 2022, the Canadiens introduced a temporary alternate mascot named METAL! as part of a promotional campaign for the team's reverse retro jerseys. Described as a heavy-metal-obsessed blue creature, METAL! was presented in a fictional backstory as Youppi!'s long-lost 'twin brother' who supposedly served as the Canadiens mascot from 1979 to 1993. The team's playful narrative claimed METAL! fell asleep in an ice machine in the Montreal Forum basement after a 1993 Stanley Cup celebration and was rediscovered during renovations in the summer of 2022. METAL! was announced as 'retired' ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season but continues to make occasional appearances at select Canadiens events.

Youppi! itself has been involved in several notable promotional stunts and bets. In May 2014, as the Canadiens faced the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals, a wager was made with television host Jimmy Fallon. After the Rangers won the series, Youppi! fulfilled the losing terms by wearing a Rangers jersey with Fallon's name on the back at various locations around Montreal. The final photograph showed the mascot riding the mechanical bull at the bar Chez Serge, which was posted on the team's social media as part of the bet. These engagements show how the mascot serves as a versatile ambassador for the franchise, engaging fans both in the arena and across the city.

Recent activities and legacy

As of 2026, Youppi! continues to be an active and energetic presence for the Montreal Canadiens, performing at all home games at the Bell Centre and participating in numerous community and charity initiatives. The mascot's nomination for Best NHL Mascot in the 2026 USA TODAY Sports Readers' Choice Awards is a clear sign of its lasting appeal and recognition beyond Montreal. The character's journey from a baseball novelty to a hockey institution encapsulates a remarkable story of adaptation and survival, uniquely intertwined with the history of professional sports in Montreal. Its story was even referenced in a prescient 1988 political cartoon by Aislin that depicted the mascot calling Canadiens general manager Serge Savard for a job.

Youppi!'s legacy is defined by several historic firsts: the first mascot ejected from an MLB game, the first to be featured in the Baseball Hall of Fame, the first Canadian team mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame, and the first to successfully transition between MLB and the NHL. For generations of fans, the orange furry giant represents not only the Canadiens and the departed Expos but also the joyful, resilient spirit of Montreal itself. Its continued popularity, evidenced by fan votes and ongoing public appearances, ensures that Youppi! will remain a beloved fixture in Canadian sports culture for years to come. The mascot's ability to connect with fans across different sports and decades is a key part of its enduring success.

Questions about Youppi!

How did Youppi! get ejected from a baseball game?

On August 23, 1989, during an Expos game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Youppi! jumped onto the roof of the visitors' dugout, making a loud noise, and then sat in a front-row seat. Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who disliked mascots, complained to the umpires. Crew chief Bob Davidson subsequently ejected Youppi! from the game, marking the first time a mascot was ever thrown out of a Major League Baseball contest. The mascot was later allowed to return but was confined to the Expos' side of the field.

Is Youppi! in any halls of fame?

Yes, Youppi! has been honoured by two halls of fame. The mascot is one of only three to have a display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. More recently, Youppi! was voted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in December 2019 and was formally inducted in June 2020. This induction made Youppi! the first mascot from a Canadian sports team to receive this honour.

Why is Youppi! orange?

Youppi's orange colour was chosen as a reference to former Montreal Expos player Rusty Staub. Staub was nicknamed 'le Grand Orange' by fans, which inspired the mascot's distinctive hue. The designer, Bonnie Erickson, selected this colour when creating the character for the Expos in 1979. This choice made the orange, hairy giant a visually recognizable figure at Olympic Stadium. The colour has remained a key part of his identity even after his transition to the Montreal Canadiens.

When did Youppi! become the Canadiens mascot?

The Montreal Canadiens announced Youppi would become their first official mascot on September 16, 2005. This occurred after the Montreal Expos relocated to Washington and became the Nationals, leaving Youppi without a team. The Canadiens reportedly acquired the rights for a sum in the six figures. Youppi's first game at the Bell Centre was on October 18, 2005, marking his historic switch, which made him the first mascot to ever move between two major North American sports leagues.

Who created Youppi!?

Youppi was designed by Bonnie Erickson of Acme Mascots, Inc., a division of Harrison/Erickson, Inc. Erickson, a former designer for Jim Henson known for creating Miss Piggy, was commissioned by Montreal Expos vice-president Roger D. Landry. She worked from instructions provided by Landry and Rodger Brulotte. The mascot was originally leased by the baseball team in 1979 before being purchased outright. Erickson's design resulted in the well-known orange, furry character that became a Montreal sports staple.

What is METAL! in relation to Youppi!?

METAL! was a temporary alternate mascot introduced by the Montreal Canadiens in 2022 to promote the team's reverse retro jerseys. He was described as a blue, heavy-metal-obsessed creature who claimed to be Youppi's 'twin brother'. In a fictional backstory, he was said to have been the Canadiens mascot from 1979 to 1993, though there is no evidence for this. The character was announced as 'retired' ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season, though he still makes occasional appearances at some team events.

Sources and further reading

• Youppi! (Wikipedia)
• Youppi! nominated as Best NHL Mascot by USA TODAY ... (nhl.com)
• Youppi! nominated for best NHL mascot (montreal.citynews.ca)
• Canadiens' mascot Youppi! made sports history long ... (awinninghabit.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.