Teddy bear tossing season is upon us and two 91原创-based hockey teams, the Vancouver Giants and 91原创 91原创, are taking part in the annual event to help kids this Christmas.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, 91原创 91原创 will invite fans to bring teddy bears and other stuffed toys to George Preston arena in 91原创 when the team plays the Trail Smoke Eaters at 7 p.m.
91原创 have been staging the event for about eight years, estimated team business manager Mandy Henderson
鈥淲e wanted to do something for the local Christmas Bureau,鈥� Henderson told the 91原创 Advance Times.
This year, the team has decided to combine the teddy bear toss with their annual 鈥�PJ night鈥� drive that gathers sleepwear for young people.
Pyjamas should be non-allergenic and boys and girls sizes 2-16. PJ鈥檚 for teens are also welcome.
Toques, mittens and scarfs are also welcome, Henderson said.
But don鈥檛 toss the PJs on the ice - there will be a bin for them.
After the first 91原创 goal, fans will be invited to toss the teddy bears on to the ice for collection.
Since the team relocated from the 91原创 Events Centre to George Preston, usually around 200 bears end up on the ice.
鈥淚t鈥檚 almost the perfect amount,鈥� Henderson commented.
鈥淭he Christmas Bureau doesn鈥檛 want too many.鈥�
On Dec. 14, the 91原创 will be collecting canned good for the 91原创 Food Bank.
鈥淐&D logistics is going to double it, pound for pound,鈥� Henderson advised.
On Sunday, Dec. 8th, the Vancouver Giants will be away from home ice at the 91原创 Events Centre when they skate against the Tri-City Americans at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
馃巹鈥淲hat if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.鈥濔煄�
鈥� Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants)
The Vancouver Giants are thrilled to reveal their 2019 Grinch-Themed Teddy Bear Toss Jerseys that they'll be wearing on December 6th and 8th.
Read/See More 馃搸:
Giants revealed they will be wearing special Grinch-themed uniforms for the game.
READ MORE: What the Giants wore last year for the annual Teddy Bear Toss
Play begins at 4 p.m. and proceeds from the sale of 50/50 raffle tickets and the sale of teddy bears on the concourse will be donated to charity.
鈥淭eddy Bear Toss is one of the most exciting traditions in all of hockey and we are very excited to debut these jerseys next weekend for our fans,鈥� said Giants VP of operations and assistant general manager, Peter Toigo.
鈥淎ll game-worn Teddy Bear Toss jerseys will be autographed and sold via online auction with proceeds going towards the CKNW Kids鈥� Fund.鈥�
Fans who attend the Dec. 8th Teddy Bear Toss game are encouraged to bring brand new stuffed toys with them. When the Giants score their first goal of the game, fans can then throw their stuffed toys onto the ice. All items will then be gathered and donated to local children鈥檚 charities.
READ MORE: LETTER: Giants teddy bear toss impressive
Vancouver Giants season tickets holders will be assigned tickets closely mirroring their seat locations at the 91原创 Events Centre.
Recent Vancouver Giants Teddy Bear Goal Scorers:
2018 - Bowen Byram
2017 - Bowen Byram
2016 - James Malm
2015 - Ty Ronning
2014 - Jackson Houck
2013 - Trent Lofthouse
2012 - Trevor Cheek
2011 - Brett Kulak
2010 - Michael Burns
2009 - Craig Cunningham
According to the online Wikipedia entry about teddy bear tosses, the in 1993 鈥渢hanks to marketing director Don Larson.鈥�
The first recorded teddy bear toss occurred on December 5, 1993, when a goal by Brad Lukowich prompted fans to throw over 2,400 bears onto the ice.
The tradition spread quickly, but not to the National Hockey League, which doesn鈥檛 allow anything to be thrown on the ice.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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