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Teddy bear toss: an interesting record was set at an AHL match
During an AHL regular season game between the Hershey Bears and Hartford Wolf Pack, an exciting record was set in the history of the Teddy bear toss tradition. The Hershey Bears, playing at home in Pennsylvania, established a new benchmark when they scored their first goal, prompting fans to shower the ice with teddy bears. A staggering total of 74,599 toys were thrown onto the ice, surpassing the previous record held by the Hershey Bears at 67,309 bears.
The Teddy bear toss tradition traces its roots back to 1993 when the Kamloops Blazers’ marketing director, Don Larson, introduced the concept. The inaugural recorded event took place on December 5, 1993, during a game where a goal by Brad Lukowich led to fans tossing more than 2,400 teddy bears onto the ice.
Since then, the tradition has gained popularity, spreading across the Canadian Hockey League and beyond. Notably, the National Hockey League (NHL) discourages throwing objects on the ice.
Beyond the spectacle, the teddy bears collected during these events serve a heartwarming purpose. They are gathered to be donated to hospitals and charities. In many instances, players take an active role in contributing to the cause by personally donating some of the bears to children at local hospitals.
