Penguins
Mario, Four Others Featured in Penguins Bobblehead Series
Are bobbleheads still a thing? Judging from what happened with the Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads last season, apparently they are. The Pittsburgh Penguins are tapping into that popularity with a series of five giveaways at games this season.
Dubbed the Championship Bobblehead Series, the team announced Wednesday that it will give out bobbleheads to the first 7,500 fans at the select games. It’s a throwback promotion of sorts, with the five featured former Penguins players in poses all harkening to championship runs — Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux, Max Talbot, Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist and, of course, Jagr.
Last season, it was a huge story when Jagr bobbleheads (different ones from the upcoming promotion) intended as giveaways for his jersey retirement ceremony were stolen. They were eventually recovered and handed out later.
The bobbleheads for this season’s promotion each feature moments from championship runs. For example, Talbot’s likeness has his index finger to his lips. immortalizing the time he gamely fought Philadelphia’s Daniel Carcillo during a 2009 playoff game. He shushed the Flyers fans on his way to the penalty box, sparking a Penguins comeback win in the game en route to the first Stanley Cup championship of the Sidney Crosby era. The Talbot bobblehead giveaway is, appropriately, at a game against the Flyers.
You can watch a video of the moments that inspired the bobbleheads at the Penguins website here.
Assuming there are no more sticky fingers to interfere with the giveaways at PPG Paints Arena, here is the schedule for the throwback bobbleheads:
Mario Lemieux, Oct. 18 against the Carolina Hurricanes
Jaromir Jagr, Jan. 11 against the Ottawa Senators
Patric Hornqvist, Feb. 1 against the Nashville Predators
Max Talbot, Feb. 27 against the Philadelphia Flyers
Phil Kessel, March 21 against the Columbus Blue Jackets