IceHogs Annual Teddy Bear Toss Highlighted by Specialty Jersey Auction for United Way
December 6, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford IceHogs Teddy Bear Toss jersey
(Rockford IceHogs)
An annual fan-favorite Rockford IceHogs tradition returns on Saturday, December 14 when the Teddy Bear Toss will invade the BMO Center for the IceHogs 7 p.m. game against the Iowa Wild.
Fans who attend the Teddy Bear Toss game are invited to bring new stuffed animals to the game to toss on the ice after the IceHogs score their first goal. The stuffed animals will be collected and distributed throughout the community to children of need to help brighten their holiday season.
This year's Teddy Bear Toss will feature some unique additions, including a Teddy Bear Toss themed specialty jersey that the IceHogs players will wear for the game. The jerseys will be auctioned off online on DASH with the winning bidders receiving the jersey directly from the player after the game and having it signed by the player.
The jerseys were designed by 12-year-old Bella Nichols-Francis, a sixth grader at Maria Montessori at Marsh, who won a design contest over the summer coordinated by the IceHogs in partnership with the Rockford Area Arts Council. Bella was part of SPARK!, the Rockford Area Arts Council's summer art program. The jersey Bella designed depicts the IceHogs mascot, Hammy, wearing a teddy bear costume and holding a book. The design ties in the two big highlights of the night - Teddy Bear Toss and United for Literacy Night, a partnership between the IceHogs and the United Way of Rock River Valley.
IceHogs President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Mark Bernard, along with his wife Julie, are once again donating stuffed animals for the Teddy Bear Toss through the Bernard's 'Bernie's Bears' initiative. Over the years, the Bernard family has donated hundreds of stuffed animals to the IceHogs' annual Teddy Bear Toss. With the special addition of the United for Literacy Night in conjunction with the Teddy Bear Toss this year, the Bernards have also pledged to donate a book to United Way for every IceHogs goal scored so far this season.
United for Literacy Night will promote the importance of reading, specifically how vital it is for parents to spend at least 15 minutes every day reading to young children. United for Literacy Night will feature an array of literacy-themed activities and educational booths on the BMO Center concourse. Attendees can engage in a Literacy Fair, where they can explore interactive activities and resources aimed at fostering early literacy, connecting with local organizations dedicated to young learners.
Last but not least, the Dec. 14 game will include a Kids Takeover promotion with kids helping the IceHogs with PA announcing, emceeing, and other in-game entertainment throughout the night.
Fans can purchase tickets for the Dec. 14 game now at IceHogs.com.
Buy Tickets
The IceHogs will wear these specialty jerseys on Dec. 14. The jerseys, designed by 12-year-old Bella Nichols-Francis, will be auctioned off to support the United Way of Rock River Valley's United for Literacy initiative.
Images from this story
 Rockford IceHogs Teddy Bear Toss jersey |
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2024
- Belleville Bounces Back Again, Trampling Moose 6-3 - Belleville Senators
- Manitoba Moose doubled-up by Belleville Senators, 6-3 - Manitoba Moose
- Griffins Suffer 3-1 Setback Against Wolves - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Thunderbirds Edge Islanders in Overtime - Bridgeport Islanders
- Dylan Garand Makes 24 Saves as Wolf Pack Blank IceHogs 4-0 - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Peterson Plays OT Hero as T-Birds Outlast Isles - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Amerks' Win Streak Snapped in Shutout Loss to Checkers - Rochester Americans
- Gaber's Two Goals, Appleby's Shutout Lead Checkers to 6-0 Win Over Rochester - Charlotte Checkers
- IceHogs Shut Out 4-0 on the Road Against Wolf Pack - Rockford IceHogs
- Merkulov and Poitras Post Two-Point Nights in P-Bruins' Win Over Comets - Providence Bruins
- Crunch Fall to Monsters, 5-4, in Overtime - Syracuse Crunch
- Wolves Topple Griffins 3-1 - Chicago Wolves
- Comets Defeated by Bruins, 3-2 - Utica Comets
- Game Day Preview - CGY vs TUC - Calgary Wranglers
- Rangers Recall Matthew Robertson, Wolf Pack Ink Christian Berger to PTO - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Game #19 Preview: Tucson Roadrunners (10-8-0-0) at Calgary Wranglers (15-5-1-0) - Tucson Roadrunners
- IceHogs Annual Teddy Bear Toss Highlighted by Specialty Jersey Auction for United Way - Rockford IceHogs
- Moose Reassign Graham Sward to Norfolk - Manitoba Moose
- Wolf Pack Welcome IceHogs to Town for Rare Head-To-Head Matchup - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Carson Bantle Recalled by Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Game Preview: Condors at San Diego, 7 p.m. - Bakersfield Condors
- Rangers Recall Victor Mancini from Wolf Pack, Case McCarthy Recalled from Loan - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Preview: Islanders vs. Thunderbirds - Bridgeport Islanders
- IceHogs and Wolf Pack Meet for the First Time Since 2022 - Rockford IceHogs
- Meyers' Hat-Trick Propels Firebirds Back into Win Column - Coachella Valley Firebirds
- Third Period Surge Propels Firebirds Past Stars - Texas Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
