The Seattle Kraken, a National Hockey League (NHL) team based in Seattle, has unveiled their new mascot, Buoy, a sea-troll. Buoy is the first mascot in North American professional sports to be a troll. The 6-foot-tall blue sea troll, known as the nephew of the Fremont Troll, inhabits the caverns of Climate Pledge Arena and is said to be a favorite of Shark mixed with Duck and sprinkled with light Maple Leaf seasoning. The process of finding a mascot took two years, and the team chose Buoy due to his unique appearance, flowing hair, and removable tooth.
The Seattle Kraken’s 32nd franchise began play during the 2021-22 campaign, and Buoy made his debut on October 1, 2022, prior to a preseason game against the Vancouver Canucks. The team’s quest for a mascot took two years, and the team chose Buoy due to its unique features, such as hair inspired by hockey flow and a removable tooth.
Buoy’s favorite meal is Shark mixed with Duck and sprinkled with light Maple Leaf seasoning. The team chose Buoy as their official mascot, and fans can follow him on Instagram at @NHLBUOY and @SEABuoy on X. The Seattle Kraken’s decision to keep Buoy under wraps is a testament to the team’s commitment to embracing their unique and creative character.
📹 The Kraken Have Their Mascot, Buoy the Troll
I didn’t expect this though I know this was one of the guesses people had for the Seattle mascot. Join this channel to get access to …
Why are Seattle called Kraken?
Seattle Kraken, an American professional ice hockey team, joined the NHL in 2021 as an expansion team. The team’s name comes from the Scandinavian and Norwegian lore of the kraken and the giant Pacific octopus found in Puget Sound. Seattle was home to the first U. S. hockey team to win the Stanley Cup, but had not had a top-flight professional ice hockey club for nearly a century before the NHL granted the city an expansion franchise in 2018. The city laid the groundwork for an expansion team in 2016 when it announced bids to renovate KeyArena, a multipurpose arena north of downtown Seattle.
The reconstructed arena, renamed Climate Pledge Arena, opened in 2021 and was renamed Climate Pledge Arena after a corporate pledge by Amazon. com to reduce net carbon emissions to zero by 2040. The Kraken failed to match the expectations of the Vegas Golden Knights, who advanced to the Stanley Cup finals in the 2017-18 season.
Is the Kraken based on a real animal?
The Kraken, a mythical creature, originated from an account written in 1180 by King Sverre of Norway. The legend began with sightings of a giant squid, which ancient navigators believed to be a dangerous and treacherous sea. The myth gained strength, and the Kraken was included in Europe’s first modern scientific surveys in the 18th century. Carl Linnaeus, father of modern biological classification, included the Kraken among cephalopod mollusks in his Systema Naturae.
However, in 1853, a giant cephalopod was found stranded on a Danish beach, and Norwegian naturalist Japetus Steenstrup used the animal’s beak to scientifically describe the giant squid, Architeuthis dux. This officially entered the annals of science, returning the Kraken image to the animal that originated the myths.
What is the Seattle Kraken symbol?
The Seattle Kraken logo is a powerful representation of the team’s identity, capturing the city’s connection to the sea and its icy waters. The custom letter “S” in ice blue and dark blue symbolizes the team’s name and the icy waters of the Pacific Northwest. The red eye of the Kraken adds vigilance and intensity, reflecting the team’s determination on the ice. The tentacle rising from below the “S” showcases the silhouette of the mythical Kraken, a legendary sea creature known for its immense power. The logo also pays homage to the giant Pacific octopus, a majestic creature native to the Pacific Northwest waters, adding a sense of pride and authenticity.
What is the highest paid mascot in hockey?
The Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have a baseball mascot, Wally the Green Monster, who is the highest-paid in the league, earning 600, 000 Benny the Bowl. The highest-paid baseball mascot in the league is 400 Grand.
Who is the highest paid mascot?
The Denver Nuggets’ mascot, Rocky The Mountain Lion, is the highest paid in the United States, earning $625, 000 a year. This is significantly higher than the salaries of teachers ($57, 600), policemen ($63, 600), firefighters ($65, 800), and journalists ($56, 700). These mascots are part of the franchise’s heritage and have become symbols of the franchise. The NBA is by far the highest paid of the six highest paid mascots among all major American leagues.
However, the $600, 000 earned by Harry The Hawk with the Atlanta Hawks is not far behind. Currently, the minimum salary set by the NBA for “rookie” players is just over $900, 000 per year, making Rocky’s salary comparable to a rookie on his team.
Who is the bad mascot for the Seattle Kraken?
The Seattle Kraken have introduced a new mascot, Buoy, which has been in a professional wrestling-style feud with Paul Bissonnette. In 2022, Bissonnette called Buoy the “ugliest mascot of all time” on his Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. The two traded insults before the 2024 NHL Winter Classic in Seattle. During an intermission report, Buoy confronted Bissonnette wearing large boxing gloves, and Bissonnette responded by throwing his microphone at Buoy. After Buoy pursued Bissonnette with a “Kick Me” sign, Bissonnette knocked the mascot down with a high shoulder and elbow drop.
The Seattle Kraken kept their new mascot a secret, but Twitter has been filled with confusion about the mascot. Some fans have compared it to a “sleep paralysis demon”, while others have criticized the mascot for being unsettling and confusing. The Seattle Kraken’s new mascot has been a topic of discussion among fans, with some stating that it might be the uglyst of all-time.
In conclusion, the Seattle Kraken’s new mascot, Buoy, has caused controversy among fans and fans alike. The team’s commitment to environmental concerns has been questioned, and fans are left confused about the mascot’s origins and its potential impact on the team’s image.
What do Seattle Kraken fans call themselves?
Those who identify as supporters of the Seattle Kraken may refer to themselves as “KrakHeads.”
What are Kraken fans called?
The official Seattle Kraken fans, known as the KrakHeads, are dedicated to the musical and cultural aspects associated with the Seattle Kraken.
What animal is the Seattle Kraken?
In 2020, the Seattle Kraken, the city’s first major-league hockey team since 1975, released a promotional video featuring gray-scale seas, mountain peaks, and the city skyline. The team’s maritime origin story is inspired by the real Giant Pacific octopus found in Puget Sound. Seattle’s first major-league hockey team since 1975 had a devoted fan base, breaking records in 2018 for deposits on season tickets made in a single day.
The team’s signature ice-blue “S” (a nod to the Seattle Metropolitans, the city’s original professional hockey team) began to crop up across the city and beyond, with the team’s flag flying atop both Mount Rainier and Mount Everest this past summer.
Led by head coach Dave Hakstol, the Seattle Kraken took the ice for the first time this fall, playing in the Pacific Division of the NHL Western Conference alongside Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Jose, Vancouver, and Las Vegas. The team plays at Climate Pledge Arena, the first net-zero carbon-certified arena in the world, complete with electric Zambonis and a “rain to rink” system to conserve water.
Why isn’t the Seattle Kraken mascot a Kraken?
Seattle Red Wings have ruled out using an octopus or a kraken as their mascot due to the uncertainty of their appearance. The club’s senior vice president of marketing and communications, Katie Townsend, described the kraken as living in the theater of the mind and not wanting to be a cartoon brand. Instead, the team will conduct a deep dive led by Lamont and the team to determine the right mascot for the city, fans, and the brand. Seattle’s first taste of playoff action comes after an underwhelming inaugural season, and the team made the postseason for the first time in club history in its second year in the league.
What is the mascot for the Seattle Krakens?
The Kraken, a Canadian professional ice hockey team, has a mascot named Buoy, a sea troll, who was introduced to the team prior to a preseason home game against the Vancouver Canucks on October 1, 2022. The team had planned to introduce Buoy around Christmas, but game postponements due to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant led to the team waiting until the 2022-23 season. Buoy’s debut was met with polarized reactions, with some describing him as the ugliest mascot of all time.
In 2022, Paul Bissonnette called Buoy “the ugliest mascot of all time” on his Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. In the absence of an official mascot, the Kraken promoted a “team dog” named Davy Jones, a four-month-old husky mix rescue dog introduced on January 17, 2022, who socialized with fans at home games as he trained to be a therapy dog.
📹 Kraken unveil their new mascot, Buoy!
The Seattle Kraken unveil their brand new mascot, Buoy, the Seattle sea troll.
HahA! Oh man…that’s just downright bad! They spent a year developing this character and that’s the best they came up with? But if Buoy can put smiles on kids’ faces and they convince their parents to buy the merch, then I guess Buoy and the Seattle marketing department have done their jobs. Would love to see Finn take the troll down someday. Thanks for posting, Shannon!
I love that they had this whole huge pre-reveal build up article where they had a Mariner and a Seahawk talk, they went to the fish market and even got the mayor to talk and the one thing he said was “make sure its something the people of Seattle will recognize”. I guess the people of Seattle would definitely recognize a bridge troll.
Technically the Fremont Troll, Seattle is sometimes called the Emerald City so I wonder if that’s kind of a tie in. Also just them trolling us all is a wild play and I think they are hoping to re-capture the Gritty magic but idk if you can. It’s fun and different like Seattle so what the hell I’m all for it.
I was sitting in Seattle in a room full of Kraken fans and everyone thought Buoy was adorable, but hated the name. The Fremont Troll has local heft that’s probably lost on those outside the 206/425/253 area codes, but it’s gonna sell a million toys. I’m waiting to see what its personality is going to be.
I mean.. why? I mean even a pirate would make more sense (especially since pirates of the Caribbean). Your suggestion of Davy Jones would have been perfect. Think of the Vegas style pregame they could do.. just having him on ice “releasing the kraken.” Ah well.. there’s still time to perfect or change the mascot.
I was there last night for the reveal. There weren’t any boos when the mascot repelled, they played what up sea town what’s up and Buoy flailed around. I’m fine with Buoy, the kids were loving it and that’s what it was targeted for IMO. Shannon question have you noticed that Van falls off towards the end of the second through the 3rd? Its like they are gassed or something. I’ve noticed a change in their pace both games vs the Kraken. Curious your thoughts.
He looks better in action than on photo thats for sure. His name is Buoy (nautical ref) and he’s a sea-troll (another nautical ref) living in the cave that is the climate pledge arena (trolls do live in caves) (arena is build underground). that’s a stretch for the lore, but he looks kinda badass with his long hair flowing and his fat earring.
Some perspective from a Seattle Local. I love the mascot. It is a nod to a couple things about Seattle that may not be inherrently clear. First off it’s a Sea Troll, not just a regular troll. One of the iconic Seattle Landmarks is the Fremont Bridge Troll. Another is a nodd to Seattle’s Norwegian community. Seattle actually has deep Norwegian roots and a large Norwegian community. The Seattle fishing community was initially established by Norwegian immigrants. I love the nodd to the Norwegian roots of Seattle, of which the Kraken itself has ties to as a Scandinavian mythical creature.
I was there. There weren’t boos, because we were just meeting Buoy. Everyone, myself included, were just taking it in, trying to figure out how we felt about it. Reading reactions online now, apparently most Kraken fans wanted a really boring mascot, Buoy is anything but. Buoy is weird, local, unique, unexpected and a little unsettling, in a good way. I love it.
Shannon the audio on the article cuts because Root Sports own the rights to certain parts of the audio from the broadcast. It’s why the highlight articles are muted too. Super annoying! I did find article that a friend posted from the reveal and they played “Jump On It” as he was lowered on to the ice and “Can’t Hold Us” when after he high fived the kids. No booing, but the cheering wasn’t anywhere near as loud as CPA can get. I was in house for the Pre-Game reveal and that was way more exciting!
I like it, I think it’s quite cute, and that flow is great. But as you said, the reveal article on Twitter was just so, so embarrassingly awkward. Seeing him dropping down from the rafters for an incredibly long amount of time with absolutely no audio gave me second-hand embarrassment. Maybe they did this because the song playing in the arena wasn’t properly licensed for such a article and muted it to avoid a copyright strike? I don’t know. Good mascot design, awful mascot reveal. EDIT: I just watched a article from someone who was at the Clinate Pledge. The song playing was “Outta Your Mind” by Lil Jon, with added ad-libs from Lil Jon himself shouting out Seattle so surely, he was cool with the song playing. And the crowd does cheer and not boo. So I got no clue what happened
I like the name. I question the choice of mascot. Buoy, in reference to the buoy’s out in the water, the name, I get. Seattle is right on the water. The kracken is a mythical creature in the Ocean. The other teams (Mariners, Seahawks) are in reference to the ocean. That makes sense Just, why a troll?
If they wanted to go with a “sea” troll to represent the sculpture under the bridge, then why not go with more pirate-like/squid-like and take it down a Davy Jones type of route. Hell I don’t know why they went with the name “Buoy” when the troll sculpture is in the Fremont area of Seattle. Why not just call him “Fremont”? I just don’t get any of it.
I was worried when I learned the owners were from LA because I thought they wouldn’t understand the region…but they’ve really made some good choices. The jersey is gorgeous. The goal song being Nirvana is perfect. The hype articles are filmed in Puget Sound. One of my favorite local burger joints is in the arena: Lil Woody’s. When I first saw Buoy I gasped in horror. But then I noticed it looks like a Troll Doll and learned it is a nod to the Fremont Troll, an iconic local landmark. So basically it’s another homage to the region. So, I can’t hate it. The more I look at it the more I get used to it. Remember: Grunge wasn’t cute. It was flannels and dirty hair. So, Grunge mascot, baby.
why is every detail of Seattle just so disappointing? for me, it has nothing to do with Vegas as ive never liked much of anything theyve done either, but Seattle had so much potential and just has dropped the ball at every fork in the road. the only good thing theyve done in 3 years is their jersey crest, everything else has been a massive let down.
I mean I don’t hate it… I think he will definitely sell merch… but other than being named buoy like a beacon in the water it’s not really incredibly nautical. Can’t tell from the picture but is he holding a crowbar? A switch? Maybe give him a fishing pole? I wouldn’t say scary but he’s got pirate ears. I thought that was kind of fun.
I don’t get it. They had so many nautical options, and they went with… a troll? This definitely has the stench of “designed by committee” all over it. They had like seven people take part in designing this, but all of them had a different idea, so they ultimately just went with something super safe and inoffensive to please everyone.
I mean, at least the name of the mascot is nautical. A buoy has a bunch of different purposes and some can be used as quite good metaphors. Like navigation, navigating the league, and helping navigate the team. Or the fact many are anchored, which can be a metaphor for standing firm. For Kraken and their fans, let’s just hope it will not be a metaphor for an emergency/rescue buoy.
Just when we thought NHL mascots couldn’t get any worse than Boomer the Cannon, Seattle comes along with this… thing. Like, what does a troll have anything to do with Seattle or Kraken? Congratulations, boys: you’ve just firmly landed yourselves in the hallowed Hall of “What the Hell Were They Thinking?”
It seems like the biggest reason people are upset is because it wasn’t what they expected. I feel like it’s the opposite side of the mascot spectrum of Gritty with details/imagination but with the same chaotic energy as Gritty. Just my opinion, but I don’t mind it. Better than some dude in a squid costume that can’t even operate all the tentacles.
As a Seattle fan, super not impressed. Not that I think we needed a Gritty-level mascot (Cthulu would have been fun, as would Davy Jones – Shannon, you should have chosen for them!!!), but this is just kinda lame. It’s supposed to be a Sea Troll….so why did they drop it from the ceiling? Should it not come from below the ice, all creepy and slimy? We got a children’s cartoon character. I mean, I guess that works for some of the smaller kids in the audience, but not very inspiring, threatening, or anything remotely good to cheer about for the adult fan base. Meh.
They were obviously going for points with internet trolls… If they really wanted that, they should have paid Skinless for the rights to the Hudson Skinner… Although, since Skinless are from upstate New York, that would be more geographically appropriate for the Sabres; they could even claim he had been skinned by a Sabre-wielding madman in a previous life!…
When I compare the name and mascot of this team to any other pro team in Seattle, now or ever, it’s right on the money – meh. Although the Mariner’s Moose did okay when I cared about baseball. When I compare it to the only semblance of hockey we have here (WHL teams Everett Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds), it’s a little disappointing. In the end I just hope my kids are into it and thus into hockey more. One of my kids met Lincoln at a Silvertips game and was absolutely thrilled with that. If it’s the same with Buoy, it’ll be a win.
Well Slapshot already tweeted that the troll is his new friend… I can’t hate Slapshot’s friend. But Buoy was so disappointing, I was hoping for something nautical as well. A salmon could have worked, and the mascot could have thrown the plushie salmon into the crowd. He’s not entirely terrifying like Gritty was, and now I love Gritty. And he seems like a friendly troll… stupid conflicting emotions on somewhat creepy mascot. I’ll give him a chance.
@TheHockeyGuy If they had named it Bu Oy(Get it Buoy 🛟) and mimicked something that looked like Al The Octopus that would honestly make sense in my opinion also if they had gone with Sockeye they could’ve honestly made it easier on themselves and had an Anthropomorphic Salmon out on the Ice this gets a this gets a 0/10 from me
I don’t get it. Why not have Kraky the Kraken with tentacles hanging from the face similar to a Quarren from Star Wars or Davey Jones from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies? That would at least fit the team name. Or maybe Tenty the Tentacle similar to the old adventure game Day of the Tentacle? But a troll, and then one that (phonetically) has the word “boo” in the name which causes people to boo? Mind boggling.
This mascot is hideous and whimpy, a preschool toy that went wrong! least they should’ve picked a mascot that was vicious and intimidating! After all, the name of the team is the KRACKIN! This is just a horrible horrible decision. The person that designed this must be the child of an owner or have some kind of connection because it makes zero sense! I’m disgusted
Since the audience is kids, it’s fine. The Fremont Troll, which they loosely based it on, IS nightmare fuel, way more so than Gritty. It’s better that they went with something cutesy. I was hoping for a sea monster mascot, but I suspect they tested it out on some focus groups, and the kids preferred the troll. If it winds up flopping, it will be replaced in a few years. Gritty is a national treasure, and say that as someone who was initially horrified by him. He is a good illustration of the old saying, “Never judge a book by its cover.”
Was at the game, no booing for the mascot. Most people in my area thought they said the name was Billy until reading it. I think it’s just a music copyright thing for the article as it was just music playing during those parts. As a Seattle fan, I think it hits the marks of selling Merch and kids and while I don’t particularly like it I will fight other fans who come for Buoy. Only we can talk shit on our mascot so back off.
I explained to a girl who knows nothing about hockey that their new mascot looked like the 1990s troll doll with that crazy ass hair.. I had no clue it was a troll.. And im from Philly.. Gritty has grown on the city over the last couple years… But no one beats our Philly Phanatic, who arguably is the best in sports…
I am a Kraken fan and I don’t mind it. Its still a mythical creature even if its not nautical and its not like they picked something like a real animal, most sane people realize krakens and the actual being called a troll don’t exist. And the name could be worse, in baseball the Colorado Rockies mascots name was being called out by a fan in the past year and a player on the field thought they were calling him the N word, the mascots name is Dinger, at least Buoy even though it sounds like Boo isn’t going to sound like a racial slur probably……
Wait this is real? I really thought this was a joke, a major tech city having a troll mascot? And “Buoy the troll” sounds like a suggestion if you find a real life troll, discover it can’t be killed but hates water, so you strap it to a buoy and pray no one ever sails over to it and helps it go free…
Seattle hockey has been a big swing and a miss from the getgo. The name of their arena, their team name, their draft, their colors, now their mascot. The only thing that is passable is the logo, if you’re going to have a dumb name like Kraken the logo fits. But what a mess that team is. Really makes you appreciate what Vegas did.
I was at the game that night, I didn’t hear any boos. If anything the crowd was awesome that night and his personality was actually pretty popular. Honestly when they announced him it sounded more like they said Bluey and as we walked into our seats (CPA kinda has a horseshoe concourse level that hides the screen unless you’re looking directly down a tunnel into the rink) so as we entered I was confused as to how they could use a popular cartoon character. 😂 Honestly I see what they tried to do, connect the mascot with the cities heritage. It’s in everything they do with the marketing of this team, they basically said “we’re going to make this team as Seattle as possible.” Even the ice is made with rain water.
It’s fine. It’s hard to do a mascot, and even harder to do a good one. The costume seems pretty simple to wear, so the people on their rah-rah staff are probably relieved. The name is a little silly, but it does tie into the nautical theme. And I don’t remember hearing that name before for a mascot, so they probably had no problem clearing it with their legal department. I’m sure the kids will love it, adult fans will not care too much one way or the other once the initial hubbub dies down, and anyone outside the Seattle metro area will mostly forget it exists.
I truly hate this mascot and feel this Is one of the worst in the history of sports, if not the NHL. But, I am more disappointed than anything. Seattle had a real opportunity to have a cool mascot and from what I have read and seen on soical media they absolutely blew it….I also second that Shannon should do a tier list of the best Mascots in the NHL.
My gut reaction to the photo you put up was awful, but perusal a article of him moving, I’ve warmed to him already. I think he could have looked a smidge more intimidating, but I like all the details on his costume, appreciate them thinking outside the box, and love the name. He isn’t scraping anywhere near the NHL mascot elite for me (Mick E Moose, Gritty, Wild Wing and Nordy) but he’s getting a light thumbs up!
I was in the crowd at the game last night. I’m a Kraken fan through and through. And honestly…. It’s fine. Mascots are always weird to me. Its a human in a weird ass suit. That said Shannon was asking why the audio dropped and if people were booing. They were not, it was quite loud in the crowd with people cheering.
Knowing there is someone out there that got paid to make this and then those people that paid him actually bought and used it is mind boggling. Seattle sports are nothing if not original trailblazers…sadly it often times fails and no one’s shocked because it’s Seattle and they aren’t from earth over there lol.
oh. oh my. thats uhhh well its umm a mascotish thing. I mean a buoy is kinda nautical but ok its way too close to teal and after not having a mascot first season kinda expected something more krakeny piratey. its not as bad as gritty so there is that! and it didnt get stuck in the rafters like SJ Sharkie so there is that. it is what it is no big deal but bouy is kinda cheesy even for a mascot