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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Saskatoon Blades Launching Drive-Thru Teddy Bear Toss Presented by Sasktel Next Friday

December 11, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


SASKATOON, SK - The Saskatoon Blades are pleased to announce the 2020 Teddy Bear Toss Drive-Thru presented by SaskTel on Friday, December 18th, 2020, in the SaskTel Centre parking lot. Teddy Bears and plush toys collected will be donated to the Salvation Army in Saskatoon in support of their annual Christmas Hamper campaign.

"With our season still on hold, we aren't able to host the traditional Teddy Bear toss game night, but we still wanted to create a way to deliver toys again this year," explained Saskatoon Blades director of business operations Tyler Wawryk. "And thanks to our partners at SaskTel, WinMar Saskatoon, and Saskatchewan Blue Cross, we're able to pivot to a physically distant and safe way of still collecting these donations and getting them in the hands of children in need this holiday season."

Fans are being to encouraged to purchase new Teddy Bears or plush toys to donate, wrap them in plastic bags, and drive down Bill Hunter Avenue towards SaskTel Centre where they will then be able to toss their bears into two inflatable mini-rinks provided by Saskatchewan Blue Cross, which will be located on both sides of the lane. Plastic bags will be provided to vehicles at the entrance. After donating their early Christmas gift, vehicles will turn left in front of the Sasktel Centre and drive down Gordie Howe lane to exit, giving long-time Teddy Bear Toss contributors and fans a chance to support the local branch of the Salvation Army, and spread some holiday cheer.

Once the bears and toys have filled the mini-rinks, professionals from WinMar property restoration will be taking them for a weekend cleaning.

"We'll be placing the teddy bears into a comfortable quarantine inside our shop," says Kelly Rapko, general manager of WinMar Saskatoon. "The teddy bears will first go through a rigorous screening process before receiving a weekend of pampering, including a hot bath and a refreshing mist of botanical disinfectant. The teddy bears will then experience the trip of a lifetime, first visiting the Salvation Army before finding their way into the arms of loving children, ready to share their affection over the holiday season."

The annual Teddy Bear Toss game is one of the Blades most well-attended, popular contests of the year, with thousands of toys launched onto the ice after the team's first goal. Tristen Robins has had the magic stick for the last two seasons, scoring opening markers against Prince Albert to catapult a flurry of fur from the stands. Although the coronavirus pandemic has eliminated the traditional version of the event, the team is excited to give fans a different genre of the Teddy Bear Toss and help support a local organization in need.

To better enhance the fan experience, the Drive-Thru Teddy Bear Toss presented by SaskTel will also feature Christmas decorations, holiday music, and a special visit from Pokecheck. Fans are encouraged to don their Blades apparel and decorate vehicles for a chance to win prizes. Blades TV will also be on hand, shooting a video to be pieced together following the event. The Teddy Bear Toss Lane opens at 4:00p.m. and closes at 7:00p.m.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2020


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