What an ultimately satisfying weekend for Seattle sports fans. Friday night, the Mariners clinched their first MLB playoffs spot in 21 years (Matty Beniers and Shane Wright were not born yet) winning on a two-out, full-count, ninth-inning pitch and home run by power-hitter/catcher Cal Raleigh.
Then on Saturday, the Kraken delivered another long-anticipated, discussed and sought after answer to a quest by kids and adults alike. Coming down from high-above and inside of Climate Pledge Arena’s landmark roof, the team’s new mascot, Buoy, arrived in a style that will surely set the tone for Seattle’s newest fun one for pro sports teams.
Buoy, naturally, is a blue sea troll (complete with hockey-fashion flow-style hair, wavy like the Puget Sound) living in the caverns of the Climate Pledge Arena. He’s six feet tall-hey, good size for a hockey player and he happens to love the sport and people. Saturday night’s drop to the ice was easily a 70- to 80-foot drop, a piece of fishcake for a seafarer, but thrillingly dramatic for fans who arrived early to witness franchise history.
Buoy was announced by the obviously super-smart, curious kids panel commissioned by the Kraken. He made it to center-ice to fly a gigantic Kraken flag for fans after he was introduced to shouts and cheers with the correct and loud pronunciation: “BOOOOOOO-EEEEEEE!
Buoy is inspired by the Fremont Troll, found under the George Washington Memorial Bridge, aka Aurora Bridge in the Fremont neighborhood. The 32-year-old Seattle landmark sculpture is visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year.
The sculpture was designed in 1989 by artists Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter and Ross Whitehead. It’s been featured in movies including the “Twilight Saga” movie series and “Sleepless in Seattle.”
“We are proud to introduce Buoy and mark another milestone moment for the Kraken,” said Katie Townsend, chief marketing officer for the team. “We are rooted in the local community and everything we do is inspired by the wonderful place we live. Buoy is a big fan of the Seattle music scene.”
Video: The Seattle Kraken unveil their new mascot, Buoy
After his dramatic drop-in and introduction, Buoy enjoyed a busy night around the arena. He refereed a youth hockey exhibition during the first intermission and later did the splits when asked for a signature move during an interview on the twin video boards. By second intermission, the team store had sold out of Buoy dolls. The new mascot then launched t-shirts during a noisy third-period timeout with the Kraken leading 3-0.
“We are proud to introduce Buoy and mark another milestone moment for the Kraken,” said Katie Townsend, chief marketing officer for the team. “We are rooted in the local community and everything we do is inspired by the wonderful place we live. Buoy was not only inspired by the Fremont Troll, he is a big fan of the Seattle music scene.”
Fans will be able to meet Buoy for the first time tomorrow, October 2nd, before Kraken practice at Kraken Community Iceplex. For more information about Buoy or to request community appearances, visit nhl.com/kraken/Buoy. All can follow along with Buoy’s adventures around Seattle at @NHLbuoy on Instagram and @SEABuoy on Twitter and TikTok.
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