CHL Weekend Review: Holiday cheer sweeps the circuit with Teddy Bear Toss
Another busy week across the Canadian Hockey League as the calendar turns to December.
Here is the latest from around the circuit:
Teddy Bear Toss
The annual Teddy Bear Toss tradition swept the CHL this week with several markets taking part, including Calgary where an incredible 25,025 stuffed animals hit the ice when the Hitmen’s Carson Focht scored. The holiday fun also took place in Erie, Flint, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kingston, Medicine Hat, Rimouski, Sault Ste. Marie, Sherbrooke, and Swift Current.
The number is in….. 25,025 teddy bears were tossed out today for the @ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss! 🧸
70 local agencies will benefit this holiday season thanks to your support and for that we say THANK YOU! #25Together pic.twitter.com/ShJ90NBJRq
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 2, 2019
Happy Teddy Bear Toss!! pic.twitter.com/UCQMyJLqmN
— Erie Otters 🦦 (@ErieOtters) December 1, 2019
🧸RELEASE THE TEDDY BEARS🧸 pic.twitter.com/p1ESClBt1v
— Flint Firebirds (@FlintFirebirds) December 1, 2019
He’s just one big teddy bear 😂😂
Ladies & Gentleman… your teddy bear 🧸 toss 🚨 scorer!!
@ConnorZary 🚨
📸 @tea_mercuri75 pic.twitter.com/Ictp6cXIHu— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) December 1, 2019
Goalin' @foote_nolan sends the teddy bears flying! The @TBLightning prospect & @Kelowna_Rockets captain strikes first Saturday!
🎥 https://t.co/Xsf8rSY25B pic.twitter.com/Jzlqsd3Fec
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 1, 2019
It's raining teddy bears in Kingston! 🧸
@justinpringle00 scores the big teddy bear goal for the @KingstonFronts with his first of the year while rookie @BradenHache earns his first #OHL point with an assist! 🍎 pic.twitter.com/mkJXYM6NjF
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 30, 2019
It's a shower of stuffed animals! @kemp_2000 sends the teddy bears flying after scoring for @tigershockey tonight!
🎥 https://t.co/Xsf8rSGqH1 pic.twitter.com/wMsEmr2oZO
— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 1, 2019
Le suspens n'aura duré que 3 minutes! L'avanche de toutous déferle sur la glace! 1-0 Nics 🚨 #gonicsgo pic.twitter.com/3yuuhrg7iJ
— L'Océanic de Rimouski (@oceanicrimouski) December 1, 2019
We may have a bit of a delay here folks.#LONvsSOO#ReleaseTheHounds #TeddyBearToss pic.twitter.com/ZtnJ5oV0qh
— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) December 1, 2019
Pluie de toutous au Palais des sports suite au but de Patrick Guay 🧸 c’est 1-0 #phœnixsherbrooke #sherbylove pic.twitter.com/4r0zm1wLRM
— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) December 1, 2019
Let the record show the 2019 Teddy Bear Goal was buried by Sergei Alkhimov. pic.twitter.com/9CaE0b4M9Y
— Swift Current Broncos (@SCBroncos) December 1, 2019
Fans are invited to toss their stuffed animal on to the ice following the first goal, with the plush toys then collected and donated to local charitable organizations supporting families and children in need during the holiday season.
Delivering the Bears
Just hours following the flying fur, a trio of WHL clubs show us just what the Teddy Bear Toss is all about as the Hitmen, Rockets, and Tigers delivered toys and brightened spirits.
Time for the best part of it all, visiting the @ACHFKids to deliver teddy bears! 🧸 pic.twitter.com/Yp0qZb3SoE
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) December 2, 2019
We had a blast visiting the Kelowna General Hospital today to drop off teddy bears at the rehabilitation and pediatric wards. @Marissa_Baecker joined us to capture some of the smiles! pic.twitter.com/zE822fLkhU
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) December 2, 2019
VIDEO: This morning, the boys in orange and black visited the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital to pass out some stuffies from the annual teddy bear toss game.https://t.co/GOZgICq94D#medhat #50yearsofTigers pic.twitter.com/WYqo4Lvoxj
— Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) December 2, 2019
The Alberta Children’s Hospital, Kelowna General Hospital, and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital were the primary stops on Monday’s tour.
Santa Claus Parade
The holiday spirit also hit the street where the Moose Jaw Warriors and North Bay Battalion took part in their local Santa Claus Parade, while the Calgary Hitmen also got in on the fun in participating in Zoolights, a local event that brings the holiday celebration to the Calgary Zoo.
Just a couple buds adventuring around the @calgaryzoo For Zoolights! pic.twitter.com/Nxb7UzP40t
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) November 27, 2019
While the Troops were on the road, Sarge was on duty at the home front.
He had a blast Friday night at the 31st Annual Ol’ Fashion Christmas Walk in @DowntownNBay! pic.twitter.com/hpS53VPUuN
— North Bay Battalion (@OHLBattalion) November 30, 2019
We had an absolute blast at this years Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade! pic.twitter.com/QUn3exsBSt
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) December 2, 2019
Wawanesa Toy Drive
The 36-stop Wawanesa Toy Drive continued this week with events in CHL communities including Barrie, Brandon, Lethbridge, London, Moncton, Red Deer, Quebec, and Saint John. The Wawanesa Toy Drive encourages fans to donate new and unwrapped gifts, while one lucky donor will also hear their name called from a grand prize draw awarding a trip for two to the 2020 Memorial Cup Presented by Kia in Kelowna, B.C.
Thank you #Westman for coming out in support of the annual @Wawanesa #ToyDrive at Westoba Place Friday night. Well over 400 unwrapped toys and $700 cash donated to Samaritan House #HappyHolidays #bdnmb ##WHL pic.twitter.com/SBfDqZJ5qa
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) November 30, 2019
📹 #TBT to a memorable night for the inaugural @Wawanesa Toy Drive in support of @GRHF.
Final tally: 1,042 toys and $1,375 raised by #RTown!
▶️ https://t.co/5m7xqR6lO3 #Kitchener #OHL@OHLHockey | @CHLHockey @CTVKitchener pic.twitter.com/OIM61SvRFQ
— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) November 28, 2019
Update: A total of 340 toys and $1,311.60 in cash was donated tonight to the @Wawanesa Toy Drive for the United Way!
Thank you to everyone who donated! pic.twitter.com/5P1U3x0JSX
— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) November 30, 2019
Des membres de notre partenaire Wawanesa, les bénévoles de la Fondation Réno-Jouets ainsi que Champion remercient les généreux partisans qui nous ont aidé hier à embellir la vie de centaines d’enfants en faisant le don d’un jouet. pic.twitter.com/J85FsBsryD
— 🏆 – Remparts de Québec (@quebec_remparts) November 29, 2019
Rogers Hometown Hockey
The Canadian hockey community was celebrated Sunday as Rogers Hometown Hockey made its second stop this season in a CHL market, live from Red Deer, Alta., the hometown of host Ron MacLean. The celebration also saw several special guests on hand including two-time Memorial Cup champion and former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan.
https://twitter.com/hometownhockey_/status/1201283573766131712
To many, Red Deer, Alberta has long been a rest stop along the journey. A place to fuel up. But when @matt_dumba arrived in Red Deer, he was anything but a guy looking to put his feet up. @SportsnetSpec | @hometownhockey_https://t.co/gkTlcy1at7
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/hometownhockey_/status/1201327181869174784
Rogers Hometown Hockey will visit four other CHL cities in 2019-20, including Hamilton (Jan. 19), Ottawa (Feb. 9), Quebec City (Feb. 16), and Edmonton (March 29).
Hitmen Hart Night
Staying in Alberta, the Hitmen announced that the club fundraised more than $16,000 as part of its Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart Night earlier this month. The funds will be donated to the Calgary Prostate Research Centre.
"The size of this donation speaks to the fans’ love and appreciation of our franchise namesake."
$16,317.75 will be donated to the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre through funds raised at Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart Night presented by @KalTire back on Nov. 2! ➡️ https://t.co/ndJVXAHmE9 pic.twitter.com/Rjh8RNAMP4
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) November 30, 2019
Founded in 1994, the franchise name in inspired by local-born professional wrestler and a founding member of the club in Bret Hart.
Nick Robertson is a forward
It’s a correction that ‘Steve Dangle’ is happy to make. After mixing up the position of Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson of the Peterborough Petes, the longtime internet personality of the hockey world teamed up with the club to produce ‘Nick Robertson is a forward’ T-shirts.
Thanks to @Steve_Dangle and everyone who bought one of these shirts – we raised $300 for @AutismOn_Ptbo! To say thank you, I'm going to personally donate $0.50 for every LIKE this tweet gets, up to $500! pic.twitter.com/98MtlRZhCV
— Nicholas Robertson (@nickrobertson01) November 27, 2019
In all, five dollars from each shirt purchase goes toward Autism Ontario, so far raising $300. Furthermore, Robertson is doing his part in pledging 50 cents up to $500 for each like of his tweet showing a photo of himself with Dangle with both sporting the specialty shirt.
Honouring Hawerchuk
A pair of former junior teammates in New York Rangers forward Brendan Lemieux and New Jersey Devils netminder Mackenzie Blackwood who previously suited up together with the Barrie Colts took some time ahead of a Saturday showdown to pay tribute to their former junior coach in Dale Hawerchuk who is currently battling stomach cancer.
Being #hockeyfightscancer month in the NHL @MacBlackwood1 I thought we would take the opportunity to thank our former coach Dale Hawerchuk for everything he did to help us live out our NHL dreams.He is in the fight of his life and we ask you to keep him in your prayers pic.twitter.com/TNY3eeSQjo
— Brendan Lemieux (@blemieux22) November 30, 2019
Signed and sealed
Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Tracey became the latest CHL talent to land an NHL contract after signing a three-year agreement with the Anaheim Ducks.
PLAYER NEWS: We have signed 2019 first round draftee @brayden_tracey to an entry-level contract.https://t.co/rSpK6bdixp
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 28, 2019
Selected 29th overall in 2019, the reigning WHL Rookie of the Year has kept up his dominant offensive showing this season as through 14 appearances he has collected 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points while also launching a ‘Points for Hunger’ campaign which raises funds to provide lunches for Moose Jaw youth in need.
. @AnaheimDucks 1st round pick Brayden Tracey (@brayden_tracey) is teaming up w/ @MosaicCompany for the 2019-20 "Points For Hunger" Campaign
DETAILS: https://t.co/LUQJck0WzO pic.twitter.com/AFG0tqnVyN
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) November 26, 2019
The Calgary native becomes the 24th CHL talent selected in 2019 to have since signed an entry-level contract.
Hardy named captain
The headlines continued in Moose Jaw where head coach Tim Hunter announced veteran forward Owen Hardy as the 33rd captain in franchise history.
WATCH: Tim Hunter annouces the leadership group for the 2019-20 season and hear from the 33rd Captain in team history Owen Hardy.https://t.co/V2Odg2ZB8D pic.twitter.com/h4j8t2OU6i
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) November 28, 2019
Added from the Giants in early October, the 20-year-old is competing in his fifth season in the WHL, bringing plenty of experience alongside 39 goals and 41 assists across 251 career contests. Through 18 games with the Warriors this season, Hardy has made an immediate impression in collecting 11 points counting nine goals and two assists.
Legendary Chiefs enshrined
Rounding out the west, the Spokane Chiefs continued their Top 35 Chiefs in 35 Seasons campaign in adding five new faces to the list, with November’s additions including Troy Gamble (1986-88), Dmitri Leonov (1993-96), Lynn Loyns (1997-01), Mitch Holmberg (2009-14), and Jason Fram (2011-16).
The Spokane Chiefs are proud to have enshrined five new players this weekend to form the Top 35 Chiefs in 35 Seasons! #GoChiefsGo
PHOTOS 📷| https://t.co/dMhH4T3cm6 pic.twitter.com/wrJp3tNxiJ
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) December 1, 2019
Guinness World Record
It was a record-setting day in the QMJHL as Victoriaville Tigres graduate Samuel Finn set a Guinness World Record in honour of his late brother. In all, Finn becomes the all-time record holder for the most burpees in a 12-hour period, counting 5,234, surpassing the previous high-water mark of 5,010. In all, Finn’s record works out to about seven burpees per minute!
MUST SEE! Former @CBEHockey and @TigresVicto blueliner @sam_finn_ broke a Guinness World Record in honor of his late brother!
His objective was to complete 5010 burpees in a 12-hour period… and he set the new record at 5234! CONGRATS Sam! 💪🏻 #QMJHLPride | #burpees4ced | @GWR pic.twitter.com/5JLxU1gOM7
— QMJHL (@QMJHL) November 30, 2019
Finn’s feat helped raise money, in his brother’s name, for cancer research. For more information and to make a donation visit burpees4ced.com.
A Bond Forever
Another inspirational story in the fight against cancer took place in Charlottetown where the Islanders rallied behind young fan Kellan McAdam who has developed quite the friendship with goaltender Matthew Welsh.
We're proud to have Kellan McAdam join us on November 29th as we join the fight against cancer. He's built an incredible relationship with Matthew Welsh.
"It's amazing the connection that my 5-year-old has with this 20-year-old." – Vicki McAdam
READ: https://t.co/vp4tMK5PRq pic.twitter.com/qrlLoFzb8u
— Charlottetown Islanders (@IslandersHKY) November 27, 2019
The pair bonded during a Children’s Wish Foundation Christmas party a year ago and have stayed connected ever since. Kellan was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, otherwise known as ALL, and dropped the puck on Friday for the club’s ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ game.
Surprise showing
Paying tribute to veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Remparts held a pregame ceremony Sunday with the two sons of Sergeant Patrick Blanchette on hand for a ceremonial faceoff.
Sergent Patrick Blanchette surprend ses enfants❤️ Pour voir le vidéo 🔽https://t.co/WvPmGS52NG pic.twitter.com/bpdJ6JEdJB
— 🏆 – Remparts de Québec (@quebec_remparts) December 1, 2019
To their surprise, however, their father, who had been deployed to Mali for the past four months, stepped on to the ice as a “special guest” as part of the big reveal.
Welcome Back
Halifax Mooseheads defenceman Jared McIsaac made his season debut on Saturday after being sidelined with a shoulder injury since his surgery in June.
Jared McIsaac is back, contributed right away with an assist and he’s focused on the World Juniors. @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/VDIzjAipjS
— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) December 1, 2019
McIsaac is one of 27 CHL players who have been invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp and was a member of Team Canada last season.