• The face of the Montreal Canadiens, Youppi!, has been nominated to be the next mascot to enter the Mascot Hall of Fame.
• For Youppi! to win this contest, he needs his beloved Montrealers to take a minute to vote for him.
• Visit MTLBlog for more headlines.

Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! has so far had an illustrious career. Arguably as famous as the team he represents, Youppi! has been a fixture in Montreal's sports scene since 1979. 

The veteran mascot wasn't always a Montreal Canadien, though. Some of you might be too young to remember, but Youppi! was once the mascot of the now-defunct Montreal Expos baseball team. Youppi! was an Expo until the team moved to Washington D.C. in 2005 and found a home with the Montreal Canadiens as their first-ever mascot. 

Youppi! is the first mascot to switch between two major sports leagues and is one of the only mascots enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. He's also the only mascot to ever get thrown out of an MLB game and even lost a bet to late night TV host Jimmy Fallon. 

The good news is that after 40 long years, Youppi! has finally been nominated for the Mascot Hall of Fame. How he's not already a shoo-in baffles me. But alas, you can help Youppi! guarantee a win by voting for him until October 12! 

That's right, Youppi! needs your help to get him into the Mascot Hall of Fame and get him the recognition that he rightfully deserves!

There's really no contest. Youppi! is the best mascot in any major sports league (Gritty fans, let's take it outside). 40 years young, Youppi! always delivers the same raucous energy to fans around the city and is adored by all.

I was a 10-year-old kid at an Expos game the first time I saw Youppi! When you first see him, you wonder what he is exactly, but once you get to know him, the friendly orange giant steals your heart. 

Conceived by former Jim Henson puppet designer, Bonnie Erickson, Youppi! is in a renowned family of mascots which includes the Phillie Phanatic (Philadelphia Phillies) and K.C. Wolf (Kansas City Chiefs). 

Youppi! has some serious competition going into the fan vote, which is why it's so important that you vote for him as much as you can until October 12!

READ ALSO: The Montreal Canadiens Are Officially More Canadian Than The Toronto Maple Leafs

Youppi's only real competition includes Wally the Green Monster (Boston Red Sox), Globie (Harlem Globetrotters), and perhaps Sharkie (San Jose Sharks).

Otherwise, Youppi! should have a clear path to the Hall of Fame, but only if you Habs fans mobilize! You can vote for Youppi! once per day with the same email. Pro tip: set up a few email accounts and keep voting for him (...them?). 

If his friendly demeanour and hilarious attitude don't convince you, know that Youppi! is a staunch environmentalist and proud Montrealer. He plants trees in the summer and takes the metro everywhere.

How much more Montreal can you get? 

Youppi! has our vote! Give him yours today. 

To vote Youppi! into the Mascot Hall of Fame, click here! Don't forget that voting closes on October 12. 

Go Habs Go!