The Seattle Kraken got more than they bargained for during a recent trip to Alaska. Their blue-haired mascot Buoy and forward John Hayden were fly fishing in Katmai National Park when a massive grizzly bear charged right at them. This wasn’t some Hollywood stunt gone wrong – this was real American wilderness showing who’s really in charge.
The bear came splashing across the river straight toward the mascot and player during what was supposed to be a simple promotional video shoot. Thankfully, the bear turned away at the last second before making contact. The whole terrifying encounter was caught on camera and shared across social media for the world to see.
This incident happened during the team’s annual Alaska trip with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation to promote youth hockey. Alaska doesn’t even have its own NHL team, so Seattle and Vancouver have to fill that role. It’s just another reminder of how vast and wild our great nation truly is.
The grizzly apparently took special interest in the bizarre-looking troll mascot. Forward John Hayden joked afterward that he wanted to blame it all on Buoy’s weird appearance. You can’t make this stuff up – even Alaska’s bears know when something looks out of place in God’s country.
Luckily, the Kraken organization had hired professional guides for safety during their wilderness adventure. That’s exactly the kind of smart preparation every American should respect when venturing into our nation’s untamed lands. These guides know the territory and probably saved lives that day.
The incident shows what happens when corporate America meets the real Alaska frontier. Brooks Falls is known grizzly territory where bears feast on salmon runs. Any sensible person knows you don’t mess around in bear country without proper precautions and respect for nature.
This whole situation could have ended very differently if not for quick thinking and good guides. The bear charged through the water like a freight train before deciding these strange visitors weren’t worth the trouble. Sometimes Mother Nature gives you a warning instead of a lesson.
The video has now gone viral, giving millions of Americans a reminder of the raw power and beauty of Alaska’s wilderness. It’s also a perfect example of why we need to preserve these wild spaces and respect the magnificent creatures that call them home. Some things are bigger than hockey, even in America’s last frontier.
