Like all NHL goalies, Philipp Grubauer is an expert at fighting through screens. Turns out, the Seattle Kraken netminder is equally adept appearing ON-screen.
As the old Simpsons character Troy McClure used to say, “You might have seen Phillip Grubauer in such films as Welcome to our Crib! and 40 NHL Broadcasts over the past year!“, Grubauer tends to find himself as a leading man in many a project about and for friends and partners of the Kraken. Of course, many a fan may remember their first interaction with Grubauer’s acting chops and camera-savvy from his time with the team’s collaboration with the Filson outdoor apparel company back in 2023; labelled Uncharted, but his range extends far beyond his admittedly extremely admirable love of the natural world; he can bring that affable nature to the realm of the small screen.
If you’ve watched the titantron at CPA, or stopped by the Kraken’s YouTube page, you’ve likely seen the native of Rosenheim, Germany in Welcome to Our Crib! Peek Into Tours @ Climate Pledge Arena with Philipp Grubauer.
YouTube Screengrab
Making his way to the players benches, he explains, “This is where the magic happens.” Standing in front of the WNBA Seattle Storm locker room, he says, “I have great roommates, too.” Pointing to a blank door with a plaque reading “NBA Locker Room,” Grubauer says, “Maybe someday, we’ll get a few more!”
Were film critic Roger Ebert still alive, he probably would have written, “I haven’t seen dramatic range like that since DeNiro in Raging Bull.”
Grubi’s First Visit To The Space Needle
His talent doesn’t just extend to solo performances, however. Last summer, Seinfeld writer Peter Mehlman chatted up Grubauer in a video for VisitSeattle.org, a city tourism organization. This was actually shown before movies at AMC theaters.
Apparently there’s no hockey superstition about letting non-players try on equipment, because the goalie generously lends Mehlman his blocker, trapper glove, and even his mask. Showing his imposing chest protector, he helpfully explains that “It’s like RoboCop.” Considering what it takes to become a RoboCop, one would probably say being a goalie is a better gig.
With the same probing curiosity one might expect from a Seinfeld writer; Mehlman asks, “You spell your name with one ‘L’ and three ‘P’s. What’s up with that?” Using the alacrity he shows on the ice, Grubauer ad-libs, “I blame my parents for that.”
VisitSeattle.org Screengrab
Later, they do the tourist-y thing and visit the Space Needle. Leaning forward for a better view of Puget Sound, Grubauer knocks on the glass to make sure it will support his weight. Which is a bit like asking if the poisonous pufferfish has been cooked safely after you’ve taken a bite.
The barrier fortunately is sturdy, and the goalie and writer don’t fall 500 feet to gruesome deaths. (Though “Gruesome Grubauer” would have made an awesome headline. Maybe if he does a Budget horror flick with Neon/Blumhouse this halloween?)
No Goalie Likes Red Flashing Lights: Grubauer the IT Guardian.
Most recently, the goalie stars in a series of vignettes for computer security company WatchGuard; a tour de force of seven promotional spots. At one point, the goalie is practicing when Kraken Community Iceplex becomes bathed in a flashing red glow while an alarm sounds.
Grubauer, in full gear, scrambles up steps toward the team offices because, “It’s my job to defend the Kraken. They need me!” Again, Spoiler Alert: by the time he reaches the I.T. department, the security software has neutralized the cyberattack.
WatchGuard Screengrab
Somewhat despondent, Grubauer plops onto a couch next to a Kraken employee typing on a laptop. When the employee appears to be viewing a suspicious site, Grubauer perks up. “Don’t click that link, it looks like a phishing email!” The grateful employee, who doesn’t seem to mind his couchmate’s wandering eyes, responds, “Thanks, Grubi. You should join the I.T. department.” In the most recent spot, which premiered July 9, the goaltender does just that.
By the way, the Kraken do have an actual information technology department, some of whose members co-starred in the Grubauer spots to cover their most famous desk jockey. “Sports teams have unique cybersecurity challenges,” I.T. director Sean Rawlins told SDxCentral. “Players and staff are on the road half the season, and team scouts travel the world to find fresh talent. All have various devices that connect to networks in different areas with varied threat environments and risks.”
A perk of being a member of the Kraken, be they player or scout, are these concierge I.T. services. “On game days, we have a team that rotates in the locker room,” explained cybersecurity engineer Ryan Willgues in a WatchGuard podcast. “If a player needs something, we’re there to help.” Sometimes on non-game days, too: “Maybe they’re TV shopping or computer shopping, they might come up to us and ask, ‘What should we be looking for?’ ‘Are you gaming?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘Well, here’s some things you should be looking for.’ A lot of them are big gamers. The younger players are into e-sports.”
And the best part, even though the I.T. department isn’t buying for themselves? “Sometimes it comes with an unlimited budget.” Guess having a guy who can talk to Ron Francis more directly has its perks!
While yes, Grubi’s roles now are small, like all actors, he’s already finding himself a budding fanbase away from his play precisely because of that affable personality he shows in his passion for the craft of acting. Maybe if this whole hockey thing doesn’t pan out for him, there’s a chance he could make a move to the silver screen?
Stranger things have happened!