2025-08-06T22:15:14Z

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Imagine this: You're filming a promotional video for youth hockey, and suddenly a grizzly bear decides to join the party! This is exactly what happened to Buoy, the Seattle Kraken’s quirky blue-haired troll mascot, during a fly-fishing adventure in the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness.

Buoy and team forward John Hayden were enjoying the serene surroundings of Katmai National Park when the unexpected occurred. Just as they were filming a segment aimed at promoting youth hockey, a grizzly bear emerged from the thick brush, casually sauntering into the water and making its way towards them.

What should have been a fun-filled day quickly morphed into a heart-pounding race for safety.

“While we were fishing, we had a pretty close call with a couple of bears,” Hayden said in a video released by the team. The footage is nothing short of thrilling, showing Buoy and Hayden wading through knee-deep water, the bear’s powerful figure looming ominously closer behind them.

In a tense moment, the bear charged toward the mascot, water splashing everywhere. Luckily, the bear lost interest and turned away, leaving Buoy and Hayden both shaken but unharmed. “I want to blame it on Buoy. I think the bears were pretty interested in his look,” Hayden joked post-incident. Luckily for all involved, this wild encounter ended without injury.