Fans threw 28,000 teddy bears on a hockey rink for charity, and it looked like the most fun
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
The Calgary Hitmen hold an annual “teddy bear toss” in December where fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals to toss on the ice after a goal. These are collected by staff and donated to children’s hospitals and charities to spread some cheer during the holidays. Last year saw over 19,000 stuffed animals hit the ice -- this year it was much, much more.
Stallard goal makes fur fly, #WHLHitmen down Broncos. Game Story ~ https://t.co/bWTzKZRljk pic.twitter.com/goudYBXfrq
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 7, 2015 A total of 28,815 animals were tossed in the Hitmen’s 2-1 win over the Swift Current Broncos. The photos are absolutely incredible.
Calgary, you are amazing. Thousands of bears rained down at the annual #TeddyBearToss at the @WHLHitmen game -EM pic.twitter.com/nRzJJlEIYW
— Crazy Eddie (@Crazy_Red_Eddie) December 7, 2015 The players realized there were too many animals for the staff to handle, so they lent a hand.
The boys helped with the clean-up! #TeddyBearToss #teddyconfettiyyc @petrocanada pic.twitter.com/3VFVx3uNIi
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 7, 2015 But not before having a little fun ...
#WHLHitmen defenceman Keegan Kanzig having a blast at the @petrocanada #TeddyBearToss! #TeddyConfettiYYC pic.twitter.com/ny3iIT3uo7
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 7, 2015 Volunteers bagged up the animals to take to the charities.
Shout-out to all of our amazing volunteers! #teddyconfettiyyc #TeddyBearToss @petrocanada pic.twitter.com/zvZ9XHwBEm
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 7, 2015 The whole event was an amazing success. Well done Hitmen. Hat tricks are nice, but bear tricks are way better.
All kinds of photos from today's record-setting @petrocanada #TeddyBearToss ~ https://t.co/teHeOZt7GT pic.twitter.com/kJLPH6sZzV
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 7, 2015 
