Terrifying Scene Shows Kraken Forward and Mascot Nearly Mauled by Bear While Filming in Alaska

Every year, teams film promotional material to have some fun and advertise their brand. For the Maple Leafs, we have seen a large uptick in promotional material and behind the scenes coverage over the last few seasons such as the "Blueprint" YouTube series. However, when the Seattle Kraken ventured out to film a video in Alaska, it nearly went very, very wrong.

Forward John Hayden and Kraken mascot, "Buoy", donned some fishing waders and were in the process of being filmed fishing in the Alaskan wilderness when everyone's worst fear presented itself.

While Hayden was working his line in the water, a giant grizzly bear crept up behind him from the shore. Immediately, the fishing guide took action and attempted to lead the NHLer and the team mascot further down the river to give the curious bear some space.

In a pulse-raising scenario, the bear actually began to charge towards Buoy, stopping just a few feet short of the NHL mascot. The whole thing was caught on film.

According to Google AI, there are only 3.8 bear attacks in Alaska each year that lead to hospitalization. Bear attack fatalities are even more rare, occurring just once every other year.

Thankfully for Hayden, Buoy, and everyone else involved in this video, the charge from the bear appeared to be more about creating some distance than it was an act of aggression.

Still, a close call like this one is sure to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and it's a chilling reminder of just how fast a dangerous situation can present itself in the Alaskan wilderness.