Seattle Kraken's Wild Encounter: A Grizzly Bear Adventure in Alaska
The Seattle Kraken hockey team and their sea troll mascot Buoy had an exciting encounter with a grizzly bear during a fly fishing trip in Anchorage, Alaska. The team was in town for their annual partnership trip with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation, which aims to engage with the community and promote hockey in Alaska. The week-long event included a hockey camp with Kraken forward John Hayden, Buoy, and youth hockey coaches from the Kraken organization.
While on a fly fishing excursion in Katmai National Park on June 25, a grizzly bear unexpectedly approached the group. The bear was seen watching them from across the river before charging towards them, causing everyone to quickly evacuate the water. The bear seemed particularly interested in Buoy, but the group managed to escape safely from the encounter.
Despite the close call with the grizzly bear, the Kraken continued their trip and visited their 2025 Make-A-Wish recipient, Caleb, and his family. The team announced that Caleb and his family would be traveling to Seattle for a game and a special Kraken experience in January. The Seattle Kraken have been partnering with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation for the past four years, focusing on youth hockey development in Alaska and promoting sustainability goals in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
In conclusion, the Seattle Kraken's eventful trip to Anchorage included a thrilling encounter with a grizzly bear during a fly fishing excursion. Despite the scare, the team continued their community engagement activities and visited their Make-A-Wish recipient, Caleb, as part of their ongoing partnership with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation. The Kraken remain committed to promoting hockey in Alaska and sustainability efforts in the region.