The Seattle Kraken’s blue-haired troll mascot, Buoy, and Kraken forward John Hayden had a far-from-ordinary day of fly-fishing in Alaska when they encountered a real-life predator that was not on the ice. In a viral video released by the team, a brown bear can be seen charging at the mascot, providing a terrifying-yet-humorous reminder that some things in the wild are more interested in a troll than a salmon.
The incident, which happened on June 25 in Katmai National Park, was part of a promotional video shoot for the team’s annual trip promoting youth hockey. Standing knee-deep in a shallow river, Hayden and Buoy were fly-fishing with a film crew and professional guides when the bear emerged from the tree line and approached the group.
The footage shows the bear initially watching the group from across the river, before it begins to move toward them. Hayden, Buoy, and the film crew, with the help of their guides, begin to slowly wade toward the shore. That’s when the bear takes a particular interest in the mascot. It begins to charge, splashing water as it closes in, before it ultimately veers away before making contact.
“I want to blame it on Buoy,” Hayden said in the video after the close call. “They were pretty interested in his whole look.”
The Seattle Kraken’s mascot, a sea troll with a large blue mop of hair, is known for his playful antics on the ice. But in the Alaskan wilderness, his appearance drew the attention of a creature that was not in a playful mood.
The team confirmed that no trolls or bears were harmed in the making of the video and that professional guides had been hired to ensure the safety of the crew. They added a humorous but important note on their social media post: “always respect wildlife in their natural habitat.”
The video, which has been widely shared across social media, has sparked a flood of comments from other professional sports mascots, all poking fun at Buoy’s predicament. The Chicago Cubs’ Clark the Cub joked, “I’m sure he just wanted to help you catch lunch,” while the NBA’s Utah Jazz mascot, Jazz Bear, commented, “That’s the last time I tell you about my secret fishing spot.”
The incident serves as a memorable, and fortunately harmless, anecdote for the Kraken’s outreach efforts in Alaska. While the state doesn’t have its own NHL team, the Seattle Kraken has become a regional favorite. For now, Buoy is safe and sound, but the next time he goes fly-fishing, he might want to leave the costume behind.