The Teddy Bear Toss is a charity event that started in Ice Hockey which involves fans throwing stuffed animals onto the ice. After the brief period of the toys being thrown, they are then collected and given to local hospitals, children’s programs, and other organizations. It’s an initiative that is very similar to ‘Hat Trick Hats’, which are also given to various charitable causes.
This spectacle occurs frequently during the festive period and while it doesn’t typically happen in high-level competition such as the NHL, it is becoming more popular in minor and junior leagues.
On this page, you can find the complete history of the Teddy Bear Toss, including its origin, the world record for the most bears thrown, and how the tradition has spread to other sports around the world!
Origin and Spread of the Teddy Bear Toss
The Teddy Bear Toss originated in North America and quickly gained popularity as a heartwarming ice hockey tradition. Around the world, this charitable event has been embraced by fans and teams, becoming synonymous with the Christmas season.
In North America
Hockey games in North America were credited with starting the teddy bear toss, with the first ever recorded instance happening on the 7th of December 1993. It was conceptualized by Don Larson, marketing director of the Kamloops Blazers and when Brad Lukowich scored, over 2,400 bears were thrown onto the ice.
It was then continued by teams like the Calgary Hitmen and Hershey Bears, who routinely collect thousands of toys for local charities. The Calgary Hitmen set impressive records, with 28,815 stuffed toys collected on December 6, 2015, and then topping that with 29,935 on December 3, 2018. By early December 2018, they had amassed nearly 350,000 bears over various events.
The Hershey Bears also show remarkable generosity through their own teddy bear tosses. They gathered 25,017 stuffed animals on December 3, 2017, but broke their record the following year with a collection of 34,798 on December 2.
Another notable moment occurred on January 22 2022 when the Hershey Bears collected a staggering amount of toys reaching up to 52,341 contributions after missing two years due to pandemic restrictions.
Around the World
The Teddy Bear Toss spread beyond North America, reaching countries around the globe. Australia embraced this tradition on June 28, 2014, with the Melbourne Ice collecting 306 toys during their first event.
In Sweden, Lule HF joined the cause on December 27, 2017, by donating toys to local hospitals and charities. Similarly, teams in the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League started holding “Air the Bear” nights annually for local charities.
A highlight came from Poland in October 2023 when Jagiellonia Białystok set a new world record by tossing 109,407 stuffed animals onto their football field. This achievement surpassed all previous records for a single sporting event toy donation worldwide.
The Newcastle Jets soccer team in Australia also made its teddy bear toss debut in December 2019, contributing to the global expansion of the tradition which has had a hugely positive impact on local charities.
Teddy Bear Toss Records and Achievements
In Ice Hockey, the record for the biggest Teddy Bear Toss belongs to the Hershey Bears, with an incredible 102,343 stuffed toys being thrown onto the ice during the same period, following a goal from Mike Sgarbossa.
The overall record is held by a Polish football team called Jagiellonia Białystok, with a total of 109,407 stuffed animals being thrown onto the pitch during an allocated bear toss time slot.
Expansion to Other Sports
There are two additional sports that have been eager to embrace the Teddy Bear Toss tradition, which are:
Basketball
Basketball teams have joined the teddy bear toss tradition, supporting children in need through sports community outreach. In 2014, the Italian basketball team Lega Basket Serie A embraced this initiative.
Football
Football also followed suit with the Newcastle Jets of Australia hosting their inaugural event in December 2019. Beşiktaş J.K., a Turkish football club, also gathered stuffed animals during a match in February 2023 to help children impacted by the Turkey-Syria earthquake. Of course, the world record, as mentioned earlier, is held by a football team as well.
Impact and Community Engagement
The Teddy Bear Toss has significantly impacted communities by fostering a sense of togetherness and compassion while helping plenty of organisations in the process!
Charitable Contributions
The teddy bear toss events lead to substantial charitable contributions and support local organisations, creating a positive impact on the community in various ways:
- Donations from these events are directed to local charities and causes, supporting children and families in need.
- Philanthropic initiatives driven by these events enhance community involvement, fostering a sense of social responsibility among attendees.
- The Hershey Bears’ record-setting collection of 67,309 toys in January 2023 resulted in significant fundraising for 35 local charities.
- The Hershey Bears have donated over 566,000 stuffed toys since 2001, contributing to the well-being of numerous children and families.
- Following a devastating earthquake in Turkey, Besiktas fans demonstrated solidarity by throwing toys onto the pitch, symbolising their support for affected children.
Cultural Significance
The Teddy Bear Toss holds cultural significance by becoming intertwined with Christmas traditions in Canada and Sweden, while also gaining recognition within the United States. This charitable event showcases community engagement and unity as sports fans come together to participate in this heartwarming tradition.
The generosity displayed during these events further supports its cultural impact, demonstrating a sense of charity and goodwill that transcends borders. Not only limited to the realm of ice hockey, similar initiatives have been observed across various sports, confirming its position as an ever-evolving cultural tradition.
What’s Next for the Teddy Bear Toss?
With the Teddy Bear Toss having such a positive impact on communities and local charities, it’s likely the movement will continue to evolve and gain traction. The very concept of the Teddy Bear Toss lends itself to virtually any sport, so it’s highly possible that cricket, tennis, rugby, and even volleyball fans could decide to get involved in the future.
It’s also likely that the tradition will continue to spread across various countries, with the novelty aspect making it appealing to both adults and younger sports fans.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Teddy Bear Toss
The Teddy Bear Toss in ice hockey is a tradition where fans throw stuffed animals into the rink, usually following a goal scored by the home team. In some games, there will be a dedicated period of time in which spectators can throw the teddies, too.
The first ever Teddy Bear Toss occurred on the 7th of December 1993. When Brad Lukowich of the Kamloops Blazers scored, over 2,400 bears were launched onto the ice, starting the infamous tradition we know today!
In Ice Hockey, the Teddy Bear Toss world record is 102,343 by the Hershey Bears, all of which were thrown into the rink after a goal was scored by Mike Sgarbossa. Adversely, the overall record is held by a Polish football team called Jagiellonia Białystok, who collected 109,407 stuffed animals in the same game.
Yes, in addition to ice hockey, the Teddy Bear Toss has made an appearance in both Basketball and Football.
