Fans toss nearly 10,000 teddy bears for charity during Kitchener Rangers game
Nearly 10,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice Tuesday night as the Kitchener Rangers hosted its 27th annual Teddy Bear Toss at The Aud.
It was only 4:17 into the game when Rangers captain Francesco Pinelli, scored the first goal of the night.
Fans then threw 9,962 stuffed animals onto the ice, which have since been collected and destined for donation to local charities.
“It’s a great feeling to see all the fans that support us, and all the teddy bears that went out on the ice. It was a special moment,” said Pinelli.
Last year, the Rangers collected 7,406 stuffed animals, meaning this year saw 2,556 more bears donated compared to last year.
"We are the community's team, and we take that, facilitate it and bring these stuffed animals and teddy bears to the community. So we want to be a pillar here, and this game fully encompasses what the Kitchener Rangers are in the Waterloo Region,” said Dominic Hennig, senior director of communications with the Kitchener Rangers.
The Rangers have donated over 170,000 stuffed animals since the toss began 27 years ago.
The stuffed animals go to local charities so less fortunate kids can still get a gift during the holidays
Rangers fan Ashley Atcheson along with her two kids brought a bag full of plush toys to the game to toss on the ice.
"There's a duck, two bears, and I think it's like a cub, a lion," said Atcheson.
When the first goal hit the back of the net, stuffed animals rained down onto the ice, and those in the front row were able to retoss the ones that didn’t quite make it onto the ice.
"Most of the time we get hit in the head with a teddy bear, so I get to re-throw it, so that's fun,” said Rangers fan Olivia Moniz.
It was a successful night off the ice as the event brought in over 6,600 fans, a season-high, and also a victorious night on the ice.
The Kitchener Rangers defeated the Guelph Storm 4-1 in another installment of the Highway 7 rivalry. The Rangers have now won three of their last four games.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.