Seattle, WA

How the Kraken kept their new mascot Buoy a secret

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2022

How the Kraken kept their new mascot Buoy a secret

SEATTLE — A presentation was going down inside a convention room on the Seattle Kraken’s apply facility when one of many doorways started to slowly open.

Panic started taking form at that second.

This compelled a 6-foot-tall, furry, blue troll with an anchor hoop earring dangling on his left facet and a blue tentacle hanging from his proper ear to discover a hiding spot. It made everybody else contained in the room burst into laughter, proper after the one who tried going into the room was instructed it was not time.

Now the lengths the Kraken are prepared to go to maintain a secret.

At the moment, lower than 50 folks on the planet had even seen Buoy. That modified Saturday when the Kraken launched their mascot to the remainder of the world by having him rappel from the Local weather Pledge Enviornment rafters earlier than a preseason recreation in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks.

It was no secret the Kraken have been going to have a mascot. All the pieces else, nevertheless, was a thriller. No one knew what identify they might select or what the mascot would even appear like, till now.

Lots of of concepts and names have been submitted within the Kraken’s quest for a mascot. From all of it got here Buoy. His backstory is that he’s the nephew of the Fremont Troll, the enduring Seattle sculpture that impressed his creation. The identify was chosen as a result of the Kraken saved coming again to the way it sounded for a mascot.

“We checked out all of the characters on this space and we wished to ensure that what we introduced was going to be distinctive. We did not wish to be like anyone else,” Kraken vp of leisure expertise and manufacturing Lamont Buford stated. “Whenever you take a look at a number of mascots in sports activities, you possibly can inform which mascots that have been generated from taking a look at one other mascot. We wished to ensure we prevented that.”

Making a mascot comes with obstacles — particularly within the post-Gritty period wherein already-high expectations are even increased for what is commonly a subjective activity. The purpose for the Kraken was to discover a mascot that felt native. However that request additionally got here with limitations. They didn’t wish to have an octopus for a mascot as a result of that already belongs to the Detroit Pink Wings.

Additionally they didn’t wish to use a kraken. The argument is that no one is aware of what a kraken seems to be like. And due to that, they wished to maintain that thriller going however nonetheless have a mascot that would strike the suitable tone.

“We speak concerning the kraken as residing within the theater of the thoughts. It is a mysterious beast. We do not wish to be a cartoon model which is why we now have not revealed the complete kraken,” Kraken senior vp of selling and communications Katie Townsend stated. “It was a reasonably apparent alternative that we might not go together with a kraken, however would do a deep dive led by Lamont and staff to look at what’s the proper mascot for the town, for the followers and for the model.”

Buford stated Buoy’s blue fur matches the shade of the staff’s shade scheme. His hair is a nod to hockey hair, whereas additionally paying homage to the lengthy hair famously related to Squatch, the longtime mascot of the Seattle SuperSonics. The tentacle dangling from the ear is a approach to let followers know Buoy “had an encounter with a kraken,” whereas his earring is identical anchor used because the staff’s shoulder patch.

To Buford’s data, the one staff that has a troll for a mascot is Trinity Christian Faculty, an NAIA faculty in Illinois.

Going with one thing that was distinctive meant the Kraken wished to check Buoy with completely different focus teams to ensure his look was each family- and adult-friendly. That approach, the staff might ship an inviting presence out into the neighborhood for occasions like birthday events or festivals.

One of many methods to do this was to make Buoy have a squeaky nostril. He additionally has a detachable tooth so he can appear like a hockey participant, and a dance referred to as the “Buoy Boogie” that he’ll do at numerous instances.

It even extends to how Buoy indicators his identify. The B is designed to appear like a buoy with flashing lights, whereas the tail from the Y continues to go beneath his identify in a wavelike sample.

The method started in 2020, with the group asking in the event that they wanted a mascot. Buford and Townsend stated the Kraken saved listening to from followers that they wished one. In order that they took on the problem, spoke with completely different stakeholders throughout the group and started brainstorming.

Ultimately, the staff narrowed it to 9 concepts, with Buoy being the eventual winner.

“A few of them are issues you may have imagined what they might have been,” Townsend stated. “There have been some that have been summary like a Squatch. We checked out marine life. We checked out issues related to a kraken. It could by no means be Squatch. We hope the Sonics will come again sometime, and that’s the Sonics’ mascot.”

After all, as all this was being mentioned, Buford and Townsend additionally saved an eye fixed on the door to ensure no one else knew concerning the mascot. Secrecy has turn into a big a part of the Kraken’s operation. It was like that when it got here to their brand and uniform design, and no one knew for sure they have been hiring coach Dave Hakstol till they issued a launch saying they’d employed the previous Philadelphia Flyers coach to be the primary in staff historical past.

Buford’s staff designed Buoy, in order that they have been in fixed contact. Townsend’s staff didn’t see it till Might. The Kraken’s govt possession staff noticed Buoy in September, whereas the Kraken’s gamers met the mascot a couple of week earlier than the discharge.

There have been a number of questions the Kraken needed to reply previous to Buoy’s introduction. Maybe one of the essential was how he could be acquired by followers and the hockey world at giant?

Mascots can typically be a polarizing matter. Some folks love them. Others might go with out them for quite a lot of causes. All the pieces from the identify to how they appear, together with different nuances, can turn into social media fodder for a minimum of just a few days.

How does a staff that spends years engaged on a mascot put together for the potential criticism that would come its approach?

“I believe with a mascot, I virtually count on it to be 50-50,” Townsend stated. “It’s totally divisive. Individuals really feel very passionate. Not everyone seems to be a mascot particular person, and that is additionally high-quality. I believe what we do is our due diligence with our focus teams … and we really feel we have created a mascot that’s enjoyable and matches our model, then we will go ahead with the launch.”

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Seattle, WA

Everything TikTok Restaurant Reviewer Keith Lee Ate in Seattle

Published

4 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Everything TikTok Restaurant Reviewer Keith Lee Ate in Seattle

TikTok food critic Keith Lee, who taste tests dishes from family-run restaurants around the country while sitting in his car, stunned his nearly 17 million followers in the last week with a video from Seattle that his followers alleged included him unknowingly eating a piece of sushi with a “worm” in it from Fob Sushi Bar in Seattle. The restaurant was his first and highest-rated stop in the city until all hell broke loose on the internet.

Lee did eat several other places while he was in town, however. Here’s where and what he thought of them.

King’s Barbeque House

518 6th Avenue S, Seattle

The ducks hanging in this window of this Chinatown spot caught the attention of Lee and his family, so they stopped to buy one and filmed the process of its preparation for takeout — including the head. “I’m not going to eat this, I just thought it was interesting,” Lee says. Cool, cool, cool.

He proclaimed it seasoned to perfection, said it tasted like a duck but not gamey or exotic, and just seasoned meat — which… seems normal? Loved the rice and proclaimed the skin the home of all the flavor. Ultimately, he gave it a 9.5 out of 10 and said he likes Seattle.

Pike Place Market
This stand outside Pike Place, where shoppers buy a cup or try as many different drinks as they like, caught Lee’s eye on a rainy day. His first sip was of the buttered rum cider, which he judged to be “real sour” and “real good.” That and lavender cider got 7s, and his highest rating went to the cinnamon spice cider at an 8. Lee bought everyone else waiting in line cider and attempted to leave one of his trademark large tips for the staff but noted on the video in a caption, “[T]ipping isn’t a thing in Seattle so it took some time to explain what we were doing.” In the end, Lee purchased 60 large cups and asked the vendors to keep anything left over from people who wanted a smaller size.

3114 NE 125th Street, Seattle

A fan of this restaurant emailed Lee to ask him to visit, saying it struggled during COVID and was still trying to get back on its feet. His family purchased doro wat, beef tibs, oatena, injera, and samboosa. Lee found the presentation of the beef tibs in a to-go container lacking because the grease was leaking, and although the beef was tough, the flavor was “deep” and “spicy.” Several family members rated it and opinions were varied. The samboosa was not to his liking, with too many lentils, and was “very mushy.” Its rating was a 1. He compares the doro wat to barbecue or braised chicken (it is stewed and covered in spices, so… yes) and gives it a 7.9. Why not an 8? The world will never know.

Lee and his family left the restaurant with $1,000 to pay for anyone who came in to eat after them, which is admittedly very cool.

A Seattle teriyaki chicken taste-test

Various locations

Lee decided to get teriyaki chicken from several places and taste-test them against each other. What could go wrong?

Chickens from the top five most recommended places, including Toshio’s Teriyaki, Rainier Teriyaki, Nikko Teriyaki, Toshi’s Teriyaki in Bellevue, and Ichi Bento. Spoiler alert: Ichi Bento and Toshi’s tied, but Ichi would have won if they had rinsed the rice so it was less starchy, per Lee.

504 5th Avenue South, Suite 107A, Seattle

The Filipino food at Hood Famous received raves, though Lee seemed to struggle to accurately describe the dishes. He ordered multiple dishes, from savory mains to desserts. In describing them, the word ube was used a lot, and although it was an ingredient in some of the dishes, he meant umami a few times. But honestly, who knows?

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Seattle, WA

Seattle weather: Scattered showers Thursday, more wind and rain Friday

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Seattle weather: Scattered showers Thursday, more wind and rain Friday

Seattle weather: Chance of showers Thursday, less winds

FOX 13 Seattle Meteorologist Ilona McCauley has your latest western Washington weather forecast!

A much calmer afternoon and evening after strong winds moved through the area Tuesday into early Wednesday. We had stronger storm cells off the Washington coast, prompting a tornado warning near Westport. No damage was reported. This evening, scattered showers continue with even a lightning strike along the coast. Our next round of wind and rain will move in by the end of the week.

This evening, scattered showers continue with even a lightning strike along the coast.

Overnight showers will continue with mild temperatures, lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. Scattered showers will continue through the day Thursday.

Scattered showers will continue through the day Thursday.

Highs will be slightly cooler with temperatures in the mid to upper 40s.

Highs will be slightly cooler with highs in the mid to upper 40s.

Our next round of wind and rain will move in on Friday as another low pressure system moves into the Pacific Northwest. We are tracking gusty winds along the coast and north interior, but not as strong as what we saw with this bomb cyclone. Stay tuned!

Our next round of wind and rain will move in on Friday as another low pressure system moves into the Pacific Northwest. (FOX 13 Seattle)

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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily Fox Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX Seattle FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.

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Seattle, WA

Nashville Predators vs Seattle Kraken score today: Live updates, stats, how to watch

Published

19 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Nashville Predators vs Seattle Kraken score today: Live updates, stats, how to watch

The Nashville Predators’ road trip concludes Wednesday with a nationally-televised game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena.

Nashville (6-10-3) won 5-3 in Vancouver on Sunday to end a three-game losing streak, with Steven Stamkos recording his first two-goal game as a Predators player.

Seattle (9-9-1) had a four-game winning streak snapped in a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday. Goaltender Joey Daccord has seized the No. 1 goaltender spot and is 8-3-1 with a .918 save percentage this season.

The Predators and Kraken last played on Oct. 15, a 7-3 Seattle win at Bridgestone Arena.

Follow the Tennessean’s live Predators game updates below:

Nashville Predators vs. Seattle Kraken: Live updates, highlights from NHL game

Date and game time: 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20
TV channel: TNT and truTV nationally
Streaming info: FUBO (free trial available), MAX app
Radio: 102.5 FM The Game

The Nashville Predators vs. Seattle Kraken game will be televised nationally on TNT and truTV, with streaming available via FUBO and MAX.

Odds according to BetMGM on Wednesday, Nov. 20

PUCK LINE: Predators -1.5 at +180, Kraken +1.5 at -225
O/U: 5.5 goals
MONEY LINE: Kraken +120, Predators -140

All times central; Games on FanDuel Sports Network South unless otherwise noted

Record: 6-10-3, 15 points

October

Oct. 10: Dallas Stars, L 4-3
Oct. 12: at Detroit Red Wings, L 3-0
Oct. 15: Seattle Kraken, L 7-3
Oct. 17: Edmonton Oilers, L 4-2
Oct. 19: Detroit Red Wings, L 5-2
Oct. 22: Boston Bruins, W 4-0
Oct. 25: at Chicago Blackhawks, W 3-2
Oct. 26: Columbus Blue Jackets, W 4-3 OT
Oct. 28: at Tampa Bay Lightning, L 3-2 OT
Oct. 31: Edmonton Oilers, L 5-1

November

Nov. 2: Colorado Avalanche, W 5-2
Nov. 4: Los Angeles Kings, L 3-0
Nov. 6: at Washington Capitals, L 3-2
Nov. 7: at Florida Panthers, L 6-2
Nov. 9: Utah Hockey Club, W 4-0
Nov. 11: at Colorado Avalanche, L 3-2 OT
Nov. 14: at Edmonton Oilers, L 3-2 OT
Nov. 15: at Calgary Flames, L 2-0
Nov. 17: at Vancouver Canucks, W 5-3
Nov. 20: at Seattle Kraken, 9 p.m. on TNT
Nov. 23: Winnipeg Jets, 6 p.m.
Nov. 25: at New Jersey Devils, 6 p.m.
Nov. 27: Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
Nov. 29: Tampa Bay Lightning, 2 p.m.
Nov. 30: at Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m.

December

Dec. 4: at Toronto Maple Leafs, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 5: at Montreal Canadiens, 6 p.m.
Dec. 7: at Ottawa Senators, 6 p.m.
Dec. 10: Calgary Flames, 7 p.m.
Dec. 12: at Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14: at Colorado Avalanche, 8 p.m.
Dec. 17: New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
Dec. 19: Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21: Los Angeles Kings, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 23: Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Dec. 27: at St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
Dec. 30: at Winnipeg Jets, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 31: at Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m.

January

Jan. 3: at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
Jan. 4: at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
Jan. 7: at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11: Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14: Vegas Golden Knights, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16: Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18: Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21: San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23: at San Jose Sharks, 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 25: at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.
Jan. 29: Vancouver Canucks, 8 p.m.
Jan. 31: at Buffalo Sabres, 6 p.m.

February

Feb. 1: at Pittsburgh Penguins, 6 p.m.
Feb. 3: Ottawa Senators, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 7: at Chicago Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8: Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Feb. 22: Colorado Avalanche, 5 p.m.
Feb. 23: New Jersey Devils, 5 p.m.
Feb. 25: Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Feb. 27: Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m.

March

March 1: at New York Islanders, 11:30 a.m.
March 2: at New York Rangers, 6 p.m.
March 4: at Boston Bruins, 6 p.m.
March 6: Seattle Kraken, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
March 8: Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m.
March 11: at San Jose Sharks, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and Hulu (sign up here)
March 14: at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.
March 15: at Los Angeles Kings, 7 p.m.
March 18: St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. on ESPN
March 20: Anaheim Ducks, 7 p.m.
March 22: Toronto Maple Leafs, 6 p.m.
March 23: at St. Louis Blues, 5 p.m.
March 25: at Carolina Hurricanes, 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and Hulu (sign up here)
March 27: St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
March 29: Vegas Golden Knights, 5:30 p.m.
March 31: at Philadelphia Flyers, 6 p.m.

April

April 1: at Columbus Blue Jackets. 6 p.m.
April 3: at Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.
April 6: Montreal Canadiens, 6 p.m.
April 8: New York Islanders, 7 p.m.
April 10: at Utah Hockey Club, 8 p.m.
April 12: at Vegas Golden Knights, 9 p.m.
April 14: Utah Hockey Club, 7 p.m.
April 16: Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.

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