Canes fans are encouraged to let those teddy bears fly tonight

By Lethbridge Herald on December 8, 2022.

Herald File photo The Lethbridge Hurricanes skate through teddy bears littering the ice during the annual Toque and Teddy Toss game in 2019 against the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Enmax Centre. The organization is looking to collect over 5,000 bears and 1,500 toques tonight.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are hosting rivals the Medicine Hat Tigers for the 26th annual Toque and Teddy Toss  game tonight at the Enmax Centre.

The Toque and Teddy Toss game  supports local charities in Lethbridge and surrounding area including the Chinook Regional Hospital, Lethbridge Family Services (Angel Tree for Kids), the Blood Tribe Police and Emergency Services, RCMP Victim Services and MyCityCare Shop of Wonders to name a few.

“This year is really our largest ask for bears that we have ever received,” said Kathy Hong, Hurricanes marketing and community  liaison.

“We’re looking for about 5,200 (bears) and 1,500 toques.”

Hong thinks it is  huge for the team to have the Toque and  Teddy Toss.

“Especially around this time of year,” said Hong.“We’re able to help brighten up a child’s day around the holiday season. And I know the hospital, they use their donations throughout the entire year for kids that are in the pediatric ward ,whether it’s for a day surgery  or anything else. It just kind of helps to lift their spirits a little bit.”

Hong said, “Every year we do see an increase.”

Hong said, “A huge one,” when it comes the atmosphere that this game creates.

“It’s a favourite game for kids,” she said.

“We certainly see a lot of families come out for this game. I know just in general, we often hear ‘when’s the Teddy Toss?’.”

There were just under 500 tickets left for the game as of 2 p.m. on Thursday.

“So we’re really looking forward to a sold-out crowd at the Enmax Centre,” said Hong.

Lethbridge is 7-2-0-1 in the game dating back to 2010.

This will be the second time in three seasons that the Canes have faced off  with the Tigers in the Toque and Teddy Toss game in Lethbridge.

Fans are encouraged to bring their stuffed animals and toques individually wrapped in plastic bags.

The ideal stuffed animals size will be 12 to 14 inches.

Puck drop is 7 p.m. between the Canes and Tigers tonight at the Enmax Centre.