Get ready to toss those teddies
It’s that time of year again! The Royals are set to host the Vancouver Giants this Friday, December 12th for the annual Teddy Bear Toss game presented by Tedford Garage Doors. Fans are invited to bring new stuffed animals to the game and toss them onto the ice when the Royals score their first goal. This year the Royals have set an ambitious goal of 4000 teddies to be tossed onto the ice. A limited quantity of bears will be sold in the at the team store and at Gate 1 courtesy of Save of Foods.
Santa will be in attendance and set up for photos at Gate 1. A photo album will be shared post-game for fans to access photos taken with Santa. Friday’s recipient of the 50/50 jackpot is Island Kids Cancer. Raffle tickets will be available online and in game with the winner announced in the third period.
Following the game, the stuffed animals will be collected and donated to Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services, The Mustard Seed, The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, The Victoria General Hospital Intensive Pediatric Care Unit and the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights Committee. Join us this Friday to celebrate the holidays, support the team, and give back to your community.
Holiday Packs have officially launched! Bundles are available in a four and six pack with three different choices of merch. Fans can choose to add slippers, a collectibles pack or a Holiday pack in addition to the tickets.
Team Matchup
Friday’s game is the beginning of a four-game series between the Royals and their division rivals the Vancouver Giants. Vancouver (12-16-1-1) is sixth in the B.C. Division this season, just behind Victoria. The last time these two teams met was a back-to-back weekend in September, in which the Royals fell in overtime in Langley, only to bounce back with a 9-4 victory in their return to home ice. Vancouver plays a physical game with several scoring threats, and their win rate is much higher on home ice. Saturday’s clash at the Langley Events Centre will be a particularly exciting endeavor for the Royals.
Players to Watch
Victoria
Timofei Runtso – The pride of Marina del Rey, CA is fifth among WHL rookies for assists this season, and has the fourth-most shots on goal of any Royal. With five points in the last 4 games, Runtso has done well to control the offensive zone from the point and generate scoring chances while being responsible in the defensive zone as well. Runtso is rated as a player to watch for the 2026 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Vancouver
Cameron Schmidt – Hailing from Prince George, BC, the third-round draft pick of the Dallas Stars in the 2025 NHL Draft tied a WHL record in late November for the fastest goal to start a game, scoring just five seconds into a game between the Giants and the Penticton Vees on November 28. Schmidt has tallied 17 goals and 41 points through 29 games this year.
Bring your friends, family, and stuffed toys to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre this Friday for the long-awaited, highly anticipated Teddy Bear Toss game! Get your tickets here.
