Hitmen Fans Toss Franchise Record 29,635 Plush Toys at the Brick Teddy Bear Toss 2018
December 9, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Calgary Hitmen forward Kaden Elder in a pile of bears
(Calgary Hitmen, Credit: Candice Ward/Calgary Hitmen)
Calgary, AB - Calgary Hitmen forward Kaden Elder scored on a breakaway 4:18 into the first period of The Brick Teddy Bear Toss 2018, triggering a waterfall of 29,635 stuffed toys on Sunday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
That tally sets a new franchise record for most bears collected in a single toss breaking the previous mark of 28,815 established in 2015.
"On behalf of the Hitmen organization we would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all fans and The Brick for making today a success," said Hitmen Vice President and Alternate Governor Mike Moore. "These bears collected will impact the Calgary community in a significant way."
Nearly 70 local agencies, including the Salvation Army, Calgary Food Bank, Siksika Nation and Hospice Calgary will share the bears this holiday season. The Brick is also donating 25 cents for every bear tossed to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation for a total of $7,408.75.
Each bear was counted one by one by over 100 volunteers which included students, teachers, grandparents and hockey fans.
Since the inaugural 1995 toss, the Hitmen, with generous support from their partners and fans, have provided the community with 377,583 teddy bears.
The Hitmen went on to win the game beating the Kamloops Blazers 6-3. Egor Zamula (2g, 1a) and Riley Stotts (3a) led the Calgary scoring attack with three points each. Jake Kryski, Tye Carriere and James Malm also found the back of the net in helping the Hitmen extend their home ice winning streak to five games.
Teddy bears collected will now be taken to The Brick Distribution Centre and then handed over to local charities tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 10 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Hitmen players will assist the process and then visit the Alberta Children's Hospital for more teddy bear deliveries later in the morning from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
During the game, Calgary wore special red-themed teddy bear jerseys with snow-capped numbers that will be sold in an online auction opening Monday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. and closing Sunday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. Fans can bid on the jerseys along with five team-signed helmets at ElevateAuctions.com with proceeds benefiting the Children's Miracle Network.
Images from this story
 Calgary Hitmen forward Kaden Elder in a pile of bears (Candice Ward/Calgary Hitmen) |
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Western Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2018
- Wolf Blanks Spokane, 2-0 - Everett Silvertips
- Hitmen Fans Toss Franchise Record 29,635 Plush Toys at the Brick Teddy Bear Toss 2018 - Calgary Hitmen
- Raiders Dealt First Regulation Loss In Two Months - Prince Albert Raiders
- Rebels Upend Broncos 6-2 - Swift Current Broncos
- Kaden Elder Scores Highly-Anticipated Teddy Bear Goal - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Preview: Rivals Clash for Sunday Showdown at Sasktel Centre - Saskatoon Blades
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, December 9 vs. Kamloops - Calgary Hitmen
- Americans Earn 8-7 OT Victory over Hurricanes in Fred Meyer Teddy Bear Toss Game - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Defeat ICE in OT - Kootenay Ice
- Patterson's Late Goal, Wolf's Wall Lift Silvertips over Seattle - Everett Silvertips
- Franchise Record 7,655 Bears Tossed as Chiefs Top Kootenay in OT - Spokane Chiefs
- Royals Fall Short to Giants in Overtime - Victoria Royals
- Broncos Lose Heartbreaker to Hitmen - Swift Current Broncos
- Rebels Upend Broncos 6-2 - Swift Current Broncos
- Tigers Team Effort Tames Pats 4-2 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rebels Both Tidy and Aggressive in Victory over Broncos - Red Deer Rebels
- Gregor's Big Night Lifts Raiders To Win - Prince Albert Raiders
- Farkas Leads Winterhawks over Cougars - Prince George Cougars
- Full Barn Sees T-Birds Battle But Fall to Silvertips - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Pats Doubled up by Tigers - Regina Pats
- Blades Even Weekend Series with Win over Moose Jaw - Saskatoon Blades
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