Wheat Kings’ Teddy Bear Toss on its way

Brandon, Man. – The Brandon Wheat Kings are excited to announce plans for their annual Teddy Bear & Toque Toss Night at Westoba Place.

The Wheat Kings will play host to the visiting Saskatoon Blades on Saturday, December 15 (7:30 p.m. CT) and fans attending the game are being encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal or toque to the game. When Brandon scores its first goal, they can toss them to the ice below.

All stuffed animals and toques will then be donated to the Brandon & Westman Christmas Cheer Registry. As well, cash donations will be accepted at various stations throughout the Keystone Centre concourse.

The Teddy Bear Toss is an annual Christmas tradition that began in Kamloops with the Western Hockey League’s Blazers in 1993. The first Teddy Bear Toss in Brandon was held the following year and has been a big hit ever since.

Since the Wheat Kings Holiday tradition began, close to 50,000 stuffed animals have been collected and distributed by the local Christmas Cheer Board. Over 2,500 were collected in 2017.

The American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears recently set a new world record by collecting over 34,000, shattering the previous standard of 28,000, held by the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. The Hitmen set a franchise record Sunday, throwing 29,635 bears and stuffed animals on to the ice.

In addition to the Teddy Bear Toss, five participating sponsors have joined the Wheat Kings in providing over 2,000 complimentary tickets to K-4 students within the Brandon School Division.

Next Saturday’s game will not only close out a home and home weekend series with the Blades, it will be Brandon’s final home game before Christmas.

Tickets to the game are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com

ABOUT BRANDON & WESTMAN CHRISTMAS CHEER: In November 1955, The Brandon Council of Women saw a need for a Central Christmas Cheer Registry.  The aim was to prevent the duplication and see that all needy families received assistance.  They set up an office in the St. John Ambulance building.  The Registry office was a clearing house for names only and they did not collect or distribute food or gifts.  The first year, names of 180 families were distributed to churches and schools that were willing to pack and deliver parcels of Christmas Cheer.  The Salvation Army and the Manitoba Telephone System helped out in the beginning and have continued their assistance to this day. By the 70’s, the Registry was packing and distributing hampers.   In 2012, The Registry was involved with the distribution of approximately 1,900 hampers in Brandon and the Westman area.  Of these hampers, 950 were packed and delivered from the Registry Office.  7 First Nation Communities also received food and gifts for their Christmas parties. Through the cooperation of all helping agencies and groups, names of hamper recipients are submitted to the Registry.  Those needing hampers are asked to apply through a social agency, school or church.

Teddy Bear Toss Night is THIS Saturday! It's one of, if not the most popular game of the year!

Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals and toques/mitts (in bags), when the #BWK score their first goal, let em fly!

Last home game before the WHL breaks for Christmas!🧸#bdnmb pic.twitter.com/XxcdbltgEh

— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) December 11, 2018