New York Islanders Hockey Team Introduces Their Brand Yellow Labrador Puppy

I don't know what happened to inspire this recent trend, but it seems like a lot of sports teams around the United States have decided to have team dogs. Honestly, it doesn't matter what happened to inspire this trend, just as long as it keeps happening. If I'm going to a sporting event, I want to see a dog while I'm there. (Though, to be totally fair, I want to see a dog no matter where I happen to be at the time, so... is having dogs everywhere a fair compromise?) 

But when it comes to the New York Islanders hockey team, this isn't about following a trend — this is about continuing a tradition. An adorable tradition that involves the cutest Labrador puppy who finally has a name!

On Thursday, October 10, the Islanders' official TikTok account shared a video of the new puppy on the team, a Yellow Lab who they have named Butchie after former player Butch Goring. 

From the clips shared in this video, it's pretty clear that Butchie is already making himself right at home — and he looks like he belongs on the team in that dog-size Islanders jersey he's always wearing! It's so cute that it's personalized with his name! 

From running around the arena to helping drive the zamboni, Butchie clearly fits in and seems to be loving every second of hanging out in his new digs. 

It looks like Butchie very recently arrived, according to this video that the team shared earlier this month. He even got to sit right in front of the ice to watch a hockey game (with headphones to protect his little ears from how loud it was in there, of course). 

The History of Dogs Working With the New York Islanders

Butchie is just the newest addition to the pups who the Islanders have helped raise and train to become guide dogs through a program called Puppy With a Purpose. The program pairs organizations with puppies who want to train them to become a guide dog or a service dog. 

The puppy in question spends about 14-16 months with the organization before they go on to complete their training with a professional and then join their forever home. It's such a beautiful thing to do (though it must be hard to say goodbye after such a short time together). 

You can see the different dogs who have worked with the Islanders in the past on their website. Jethro, Monte, Tori, and Radar are all so cute!

If you're already in love with Butchie the way I am, you can also follow along with his journey on his Instagram account. He's too cute!