Teddy Bear Toss 2024 in Calgary

Teddy Bear Toss is a charity holiday activity during minor league and junior ice hockey games that can be witnessed in early December each year. Visitors and fans bring a variety of stuffed toys to the game, teddy bears in particular. Cheerful fans throw them onto the ice after the home team scores the first goal. The toys are then collected to be donated to charities and hospitals. On many occasions, the players personally donate some of the bears to children at regional hospitals.

Activity Highlights

The legendary Calgary Hitmen are one of the hockey teams that host the Bear Toss initiative, with games taking place annually at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. As soon as the Calgary Hitmen score their first goal of the match, the excitement begins, and teddy bears start flying through the air. It's recommended to arrive early to avoid delays at the entrance and ensure you're seated before puck drop, as the goal can be scored at any moment.

Teddy Bear Guidelines

While organizers strongly encourage bringing new bears, some organizations also accept gently used ones. There is no limit to the number of teddy bears you can bring, but all bears must be placed in separate plastic bags to keep them safe during the toss. This event supports children and organizations in need during the holiday season, with many organizations, including the Alberta Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charity Alberta, and the Calgary Food Bank, requesting bears each year.

Teddy Bear Toss 2024

This season's Teddy Bear Toss is set for Sunday, December 1, 2024, during the Calgary Hitmen's game against the Moose Jaw Warriors. Tickets start from CA $25.50.

History

The idea of the Teddy Bear Toss was first introduced in 1993 by Don Larson, the marketing director for the Kamloops Blazers, a junior ice hockey team in British Columbia. This heartwarming tradition quickly gained popularity across the Canadian Hockey League and worldwide, although the National Hockey League prohibits any items from being thrown onto the ice.

In 2015, the Calgary Hitmen achieved a remarkable milestone by collecting 28,815 toys during a single game, and they surpassed this record in 2018, gathering an impressive total of 29,935 stuffed toys in one event.