Christmas time brings about one of the great spectacles in hockey: junior hockey's annual Teddy Bear Toss.
This video is from the Calgary Hitmen's Teddy Bear Toss, where some 23,000 stuffed animals were thrown onto the ice. After the home team scores their first goal fans are allowed to litter the ice with toys, which are then given to sick and needy children for Christmas. In many cases the players themselves will deliver some of the toys to local hospitals.
The tradition is believed to have started in Kitchener, Ontario, and has now become an annual event in every major junior rink and many minor league and senior league rinks across North America. Calgary and Portland, Oregon are two cities that have especially embraced the event.
It is a great experience to witness, and a great way to help the community. If you ever get a chance to go to a Teddy Bear Toss game, be sure to do so.
1 comment:
I was there for this year's Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss. Here's the video evidence. It's special no matter where you do it, but absolutely spectacular in an NHL building with an NHL-capacity crowd.
Hint, hint, Mr. Bettman.
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