Hitmen ready for Sunday Teddy Bear Toss
Thousands of teddy bears are tossed onto the ice, triggered by the home team's first goal, for the 24th annual Teddy Bear Toss for charity during WHL (Western Hockey League) hockey action between the Kamloops Blazers and Calgary Hitmen in Calgary, Alberta on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. Calgary goal scorer Kaden Elder buries himself under teddy bears piling up on the ice. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal)
Calling all teddy bear tossers: the Calgary Hitmen and ENMAX want you.
That's because the team's popular annual Teddy Bear Toss game is this Sunday at the Saddledome, at 2 p.m., when the Hitmen take on the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The new and/or gently-used bears collected by the team are donated to more than 65 local agencies, including Alberta Children's Hospital, the Calgary Food Bank and Siksika Nation.
How many bears do the Hitmen hope to collect?
A lot.
"As an organization, we make it our goal every year to meet the request for bears, which is currently at 26,000. We are calling on the community and hockey fans to come together to help us in our mission," said Hitmen business operations assistant manager Amy Bontorin. "This year’s goal is aggressive, but we know the people of Calgary and surrounding area will help us achieve it."
"It’s always so heartwarming to witness the generosity of Calgarians as we watch thousands of teddy bears rain down on the ice," said ENMAX brand, communications and community director Kara Kingston, in a release.
ENMAX is partnering with the Hitmen.
"At ENMAX, we believe in the power of community and giving back. We know the need is great and we want to thank all our ENMAX volunteers, the Calgary Hitmen and generous Calgarians who are making a difference in the lives of children," Kingston said.
Once the bears are collected off the ice, they will be stored courtesy of the Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving Company, which is lending the Hitmen two large trucks to store the bears. The Hitmen return to the Saddledome Monday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., when organizations come to collect their bears.
The team will also deliver bears to different organizations throughout the afternoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 B.C. RCMP officers charged with manslaughter in Indigenous man's 2017 death
Two RCMP officers are accused of manslaughter in the 2017 death of an Indigenous man in Prince George, B.C., prosecutors announced Wednesday.
TREND LINE
TREND LINE | Canada's health care crisis: Who's accountable, and how can we fix an overburdened system?
On CTVNews.ca and YouTube: Health journalist Avis Favaro joins our Trend Line podcast, for an in-depth episode dedicated to the growing crises facing the Canadian health-care system.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament
Candice Bergen, the former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is resigning from Parliament.
Mexico zoo director killed and cooked 4 pygmy goats for party
The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.
Canada's new anti-Islamophobia representative apologizes for comments about Quebecers
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia says she is sorry that her words have hurt Quebecers.
Video shows car driving through Vaughan, Ont. mall during 'absolutely insane' break-in
Police have released a video of a driver who smashed a vehicle through the doors of Vaughan, Ont. mall early Wednesday before allegedly breaking into an electronics store.
Food prices set to increase -- again -- as blackout on price hikes ends at some stores
Higher grocery prices are expected to hit stores across Canada soon as a blackout on price increases over the holiday season comes to an end.
'Immediately stop' wearing these sweaters and hoodies, Health Canada warns
Nearly 130,000 Helly Hansen sweaters and hoodies have been recalled in Canada due to flammability concerns.
Edmonton
-
'We are going to fix this': Alberta sends sheriffs downtown to help EPS amid mounting safety concerns
Police officers in downtown Edmonton will receive reinforcements from sheriffs later this month as part of a new provincial public safety initiative.
-
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's former top doctor, hired by B.C. public health service
Alberta's former chief medical officer of health has landed a new role in British Columbia. Dr. Deena Hinshaw was named a deputy provincial health officer for B.C. on Wednesday.
-
'Landmark in this area': Holden residents saddened by theft of church bell, damage to belfry
Police are investigating after the bell was stolen from St. Mary's Church in Holden, Alta., causing significant damage to the building.
Vancouver
-
Inquest jury delivers 12 recommendations in death of Vancouver police Const. Nicole Chan
The jury in the coroner's inquest into the death of Vancouver police Const. Nicole Chan finished its deliberations Wednesday afternoon.
-
Suspect in Abbotsford gas station robbery at large, police seek witnesses and dashcam video
The suspect in a Tuesday robbery at an Abbotsford gas station is at large, and investigators are seeking witnesses and dashcam video in hopes of finding him.
-
2 B.C. RCMP officers charged with manslaughter in Indigenous man's 2017 death
Two RCMP officers are accused of manslaughter in the 2017 death of an Indigenous man in Prince George, B.C., prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Atlantic
-
New 911-dispatch system keeps New Brunswick firefighters off medical calls
A new 911 dispatch system in New Brunswick means that now fire departments aren’t getting dispatched to all medical calls leaving residents waiting and first responders in the dark.
-
Nova Scotia signs $365-million, 10-year contract for digital medical record system
More than eight years after announcing the program, the Nova Scotia government has a signed a $365-million, 10-year deal with a health technology company to digitize patients' medical records, Health Minister Michelle Thompson said Wednesday.
-
$31-million lottery ticket sold in Cape Breton, largest win ever in the Maritimes
Atlantic Lottery says someone in Cape Breton has a record-breaking, multimillion-dollar winning lottery ticket.
Vancouver Island
-
Homicide investigation underway after woman, 39, found dead on Quadra Island
A homicide investigation is underway on Quadra Island, B.C., after a 39-year old woman was found dead in what investigators believe was a targeted killing.
-
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's former top doctor, hired by B.C. public health service
Alberta's former chief medical officer of health has landed a new role in British Columbia. Dr. Deena Hinshaw was named a deputy provincial health officer for B.C. on Wednesday.
-
NDP leader's healthcare concerns front and centre during Vancouver Island tour
Hot off a week-long Vancouver Island tour on the state of health are, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says protecting Canada's public health system is a top priority in the coming year.
Toronto
-
Hundreds of tenants at midtown Toronto apartment have been without heat for a week
Hundreds of tenants at a midtown Toronto apartment building have been without heat for a week now, and many are worried with the arrival of bitter-cold temperatures.
-
61-year-old man charged with attempted murder after baby seriously injured in Markham, Ont. hotel
York Regional Police have charged a family member of a two-month-old baby after the infant was found seriously injured in a Markham hotel on Tuesday.
-
Toronto is about to experience its coldest temperatures in years
A polar vortex is descending over Ontario this week and some of the coldest weather is still to come.
Montreal
-
Canada's new anti-Islamophobia representative apologizes for comments about Quebecers
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia says she is sorry that her words have hurt Quebecers.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Extreme wind chills, flurries heading for Montreal
After an extremely mild month of January, the province is bracing for a blast of arctic air.
-
Young hockey players who fled war in Ukraine arrive in Quebec for international hockey tournament
A group of young boys who fled the carnage during the war in Ukraine arrived in Quebec City Wednesday for a hockey tournament that brings players together from around the world.
Ottawa
-
Rideau Canal Skateway will not open for start of Winterlude, NCC says
While crews have resumed operations in an attempt to open the Rideau Canal Skateway for its 53rd season, an NCC spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa the canal will not open in time for the first weekend of Winterlude on Friday.
-
Polar vortex to bring Ottawa its coldest temperatures of the season
It's about to get very cold in Ottawa as the polar vortex strengthens over our region, bringing lows approaching -30 C and wind chills near -40.
-
Man pulled over in Ottawa hasn't been allowed to drive for almost 40 years, police say
Ottawa police say a man who hasn't been allowed to drive since Top Gun was in theatres was pulled over in Ottawa last week.
Kitchener
-
Hearing to determine if Udo Haan not criminally responsible for wife’s death, Kitchener explosion
A hearing is underway to determine if Udo Haan is not criminally responsible for the death of his wife Edra Haan, who was found in the aftermath of the 2018 house explosion in Kitchener, Ont.
-
Waterloo Region’s encampment court ruling sends 'very strong message' to cities across the province
A precedent-setting ruling on Kitchener's homeless encampment could have a lasting impact on cities across Ontario.
-
WRPS’ proposed $214 million budget brought forth to council
Chief Mark Crowell made a presentation at a council meeting Wednesday justifying the proposed $214 million budget for the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS).
Saskatoon
-
Man accused in Saskatoon killing uses social media to 'terrorize' victim's family, mother says
A man accused of killing his girlfriend is sending harassing social media messages to her family over social media — even though he's in jail.
-
Gallagher family awaits ‘a very long, drawn-out process’ ahead, as another accused pleads not guilty
Another person accused in the Megan Gallagher case has pleaded not guilty.
-
Saskatchewan not planning to decriminalize drug possession
Saskatchewan won't be following British Columbia's lead when it comes to decriminalizing drug possession.
Northern Ontario
-
Car, train collide in Sudbury, two people in hospital in stable condition
Two people are in Health Sciences North in stable condition following a collision Sunday in Sudbury between a train and a vehicle.
-
Alberta police believe 'Dances With Wolves' star may have abused local victims
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
-
'Immediately stop' wearing these sweaters and hoodies, Health Canada warns
Nearly 130,000 Helly Hansen sweaters and hoodies have been recalled in Canada due to flammability concerns.
Winnipeg
-
Organization regulating medical care in Manitoba apologizes for Indigenous-specific racism in health care
The organization regulating medical care and services in Manitoba is apologizing for racism directed towards Indigenous people when accessing health care in the province.
-
Here's what electricity use looked like during Manitoba’s cold snap
As the temperature started to drop in the province over the weekend, many Manitobans were cranking up their home heaters, according to numbers from Manitoba Hydro.
-
'Dangerous' wind chills to blanket Manitoba: Environment Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued extreme cold warnings for all of Manitoba on Wednesday evening.
Regina
-
Over 20 EMS positions to be added in Regina: province
The Government of Saskatchewan announced it will be adding 24.5 full-time equivalent positions to Regina EMS.
-
All eyes on Connor Bedard as Calgary Hitmen host Regina Pats
Connor Bedard has arrived in Calgary ahead of what's expected to be a completely full Scotiabank Saddledome when the Calgary Hitmen and Regina Pats square off.
-
Cupar paramedics warn that ER congestion is leading to risks for patients
Paramedics in small town Saskatchewan have warned that a lack of medical personnel in rural areas coupled with congestion in Regina emergency rooms is putting patients at risk.