[Ed. Note: Some lists chronicle the best in hockey. Others the worst. Others the most memorable or greatest or essential. What Puck Daddy’s 2016 Summer Series seeks to do is capture those indefinable, quirky, oddities that occur every season. Moments that defy prediction or, in some cases, logical explanation. Welcome to WEIRD NHL.]

By: Derek Roessler and Mike Flanagan of Section328.com

#1) Why celebrate a mascot when you can roast him?

It’s the fall of 1997. Peter Karmanos has ripped out the hearts of every ESPN employee with box seats, and the Carolina Hurricanes are getting ready to make their debut in their temporary home in Greensboro, NC.

Playing 90 minutes away from their home base in Raleigh, the team prepared to debut their new mascot during a preseason game against Detroit. There is no real good way to have a natural disaster as your mascot (unless it’s these guys).

Via Pro Wrestling Wikia More

So, as a nod to local hog farmer Wendell Murphy who had donated large sums of money for the naming rights to the soon to be built Entertainment and Sports Arena, the Hurricanes chose a hog as their mascot. The plan was to have the not yet named ‘Stormy the Ice Hog’ make his debut to the fans by popping out of the Zamboni to the delight, and squeals, of kids all around the arena.

Well, this is where it gets weird.

What happens when you stuff a mascot and some dry ice inside of a Zamboni so that he can pop out to his adoring fans? Well, you get a mascot who was asphyxiated by the lack of oxygen due to the dry ice and the ice-resurfacer fumes.

As a professional hog caller calls the Zamboni out on the ice – yes you read that right – all you see are two twitching feet sticking out the back of the Zamboni as the Canes first mascot has a seizure right there in front of excited fans and families.

We’re happy to announce though that the mascot from that evening escaped without significant injury. The Hurricanes re-debuted their mascot after the regular season started, and we have it on good accord that there were people there to see it.

To this day, we enjoy celebrating our beloved Ice Hog, and even roasting him, preferably with a nice vinegar sauce.

Via Carolina Hurricanes More

#2) The Legend of Willie Lack

Through the years, the Carolina Hurricanes have had their fair share of characters.

Ray Whitney was famous for his pregame drive-bys of interviews in progress. Jeff O’Neill had a lot of fun during the early years and honed his Leafs Lunch banter in just about every watering hole in town. But it was a father of a lovable Swedish goaltender that took the cake this past season.

The Canes were in the midst of their annual Dad’s road trip where many of the players’ fathers joined them on the road for a trip. This year’s trip was a jaunt to St. Louis where the Hurricanes have traditionally been, let’s just say, poor.

That night, Eddie Lack received the call from coach Bill Peters to backstop a club that was definitely out-performing expectations. Intrepid and lovable sideline reporter Michelle McMahon took it upon herself to check in on the dads during a scoreless first period. Michelle had the opportunity to speak with Willie Lack, Eddie’s father, a few weeks before, and the Caniac Nation immediately fell in love with him.

But tonight, Willie was a bit looser. His son’s team was on the verge of playoff spot and for Canes fans, talking about the playoffs with any semblance of hope in January can make us nervous. But you see, Willie was a little more than just nervous.

During the first intermission, when Michelle went to interview Willie, this happened.