Philadelphia Flyers: Reminiscing Gritty’s Friendship With Claude Giroux

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 25: Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux and Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty on the red carpet prior to the NHL All-Star Skills Competition at the SAP Center on January 25, 2019 in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 25: Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux and Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty on the red carpet prior to the NHL All-Star Skills Competition at the SAP Center on January 25, 2019 in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

There’s no denying the bond that the Philadelphia Flyers mascot shares with the Captain.

If there’s been one thing known about Gritty since his arrival to the franchise in September of 2018, it’s that he’s very fond of Philadelphia Flyers Captain Claude Giroux. Sure, he’s made it clear that he loves boats of gravy with straw, hanging out with the Phillie Phanatic, playing in the snow, and all of the “Gritizens,” but nothing comes close to his appreciation for the man they call “G.”

Their friendship started shortly after he was introduced to the Flyers faithful and the entire world, as Gritty met Giroux along with former Philadelphia forward Wayne Simmonds. The two immediately hit it off, showcasing big smiles as they took a picture together to document the awe-inspiring moment. Gritty, then, invited the Ontario native out to lunch with late-night host Jimmy Falon, but it hasn’t been confirmed if said luncheon took place or not. Whether it did or it didn’t, that didn’t stop the big, orange national sensation from showing his appreciation for Giroux as a hockey player and all-around person.

Gritty stated how proud he was of Giroux for reaching 700 career points following the November 17th game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and being selected for the 2019 NHL All-Star game. G and the Flyers mascot had an absolute blast during the All-Star, with Gritty expressing that he had “died and gone to heaven” upon seeing Giroux on the red carpet. I’d probably have the same reaction if I saw Claude in public and don’t blame the seven-foot-tall mascot for not being able to keep it together. Gritty was also very excited to find out that Giroux and his wife, Ryanne, were expecting their first child in August, dubbing himself “Uncle Gritty.”

More recently, Gritty took his first trip to the Jersey Shore and got a rescue hermit crab while there with the Flyers Community Caravan. He promptly named it “Claw’d” after his best friend, even letting the crustacean crawl all over his face without getting the least bit annoyed.

The friendship between Gritty and Giroux is beautiful, really. They’ve become quite the duo, and their relationship should only continue to grow stronger as time goes on.