Story Summary
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog and his wife, Melissa, provided the surprise at the team’s Halloween party by disguising themselves as shrubs and jumping out as Avalanche players and their partners arrived.
The club shared video of the prank, which caught at least one guest completely off guard. Forward Parker Kelly, dressed as teammate Brent Burns, produced the biggest reaction with a yelp after the Landeskogs emerged from hiding.
Nathan MacKinnon, wearing scrubs, and goaltender Scott Wedgewood, dressed as the Beast, did not flinch when their captain appeared. The video also showed one of the disguised Landeskogs dancing while waiting for the next arrivals.
Key Facts
- Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog and his wife Melissa dressed as shrubs for the team’s Halloween party.
- The Landeskogs hid before jumping out at Avalanche players and their partners as they arrived.
- Parker Kelly dressed as teammate Brent Burns and delivered the biggest jump-scare reaction in the video.
- Nathan MacKinnon wore scrubs and Scott Wedgewood dressed as the Beast.
- One of the disguised Landeskogs danced while waiting for more guests to arrive.
IHM Discussion
The prank worked because Landeskog and Melissa committed fully to it. Hiding in plain sight as shrubs gave the arrivals little reason to expect that their captain was nearby, while the range of reactions made the video more than a standard costume snapshot.
Kelly’s response supplied the clearest comic moment, but the unbothered reactions from MacKinnon and Wedgewood added to the fun. It was a light-hearted glimpse of an Avalanche gathering away from the demands of the season.
Why It Matters
Team occasions such as a Halloween party give players and their families a chance to share a lighter side of life around an NHL club. Landeskog’s role in the surprise also placed the captain at the centre of a moment designed simply to entertain his teammates and their partners.
Mini Q&A
Who took part in the Avalanche Halloween prank?
Gabriel Landeskog and his wife Melissa dressed as shrubs and surprised guests arriving at the Colorado Avalanche Halloween party.
Which Avalanche player had the biggest reaction?
Parker Kelly, dressed as Brent Burns, let out a yelp after the Landeskogs jumped out from hiding.
Coach Mark Comment
Parker Kelly arriving as Brent Burns and then being the one caught by a shrub is the sort of detail that makes a team video feel genuine rather than staged. A costume party is meant to give people permission to be a little ridiculous, and Landeskog and Melissa found a simple way to involve everyone walking through the door.
MacKinnon and Wedgewood holding their nerve does not lessen the moment; it gives the clip another beat before Kelly’s yelp lands. The dancing shrub is a nice touch too. There is no hockey problem to solve here, just a captain and his wife making an ordinary team gathering more memorable for the people attending it.