The Seattle Kraken nearly needed a new mascot. During a fly-fishing video shoot in Alaska, Kraken forward John Hayden and team mascot Buoy were charged by a grizzly bear.
KOMO-TV reports the incident happened on June 25 in Katmai National Park as part of the Kraken’s annual partnership trip with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation.
In a video posted on Buoy’s X account, Hayden was fishing when the video crew noticed a bear heading their way, causing them to pause the shoot and move away.
TROLL NARROWLY ESCAPES BEAR ENCOUNTER🤯🧌🐻
— Buoy (@SEAbuoy) July 31, 2025
*no trolls or bears were hurt in the making, always respect wildlife in their natural habitat 🩶 pic.twitter.com/WBvw9RFkS0
Later in the video, the bear starts growling and then charges at Buoy before stopping as the mascot and crew leave the vicinity.
“While we were fishing, we had a pretty close call with a couple of bears,” Hayden said. “I want to blame it on Buoy here. They were pretty interested in his whole look. We got out of it OK but it was a close call.”
No one was hurt during the incident.
