Hitmen's Teddy Bear Toss returns to the Saddledome on Saturday
When the Calgary Hitmen take to the ice on Saturday afternoon against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, more will be on the line than just the final score.
For the first time in 734 days, the Teddy Bear Toss is back.
Fans haven't been able to throw their bears in the air since then because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The team's 2019-20 season was cancelled in March.
Then, last year, WHL teams didn't play in front of fans.
For players like Riley Fiddler-Schultz, the Teddy Bear Toss is a very special game. He says he's had it circled on his calendar for a while/
"It's one that we look forward to. Playing in front of a sold-out Saddledome and getting all the hype around the game and all the energy in the building when we start," the 19-year-old forward said.
"Everyone is always so excited and (there's) a lot of 'oohing' and 'aahing' before the first goal every time there's a play at the net.
"It's obviously a very special game for us and for the city of Calgary as well."
SCORING THE TEDDY BEAR GOAL
Scoring the teddy bear goal is something every player on the Hitmen dreams of.
Sean Tschigerl says if he's lucky enough to score the goal, he'll remember it for the rest of his life.
"I think it would kind of give you a really surreal feeling and what it is to be a pro player with all the cheering," the 18 year old forward said.
"I mean the Teddy Bears raining down on you… that in itself is a pretty good experience.
"That's a goal you'll remember for the rest of your life and, obviously, that's a goal everyone wants to score."
NEED FOR FANS AND COMMUNITY TO STEP UP
The game itself is special, but what's every more important is what happens after.
The teddy bears will be donated to 50 local agencies this holiday season, including the Alberta Children's Hospital, The Calgary Food Bank and Siksika Nation.
This year, there's a need for 20,000 stuffed animals and the Hitmen are calling on fans and the community to step up and help meet those needs.
For 20-year-old forward Cael Zimmerman, the visit to the Alberta Children's Hospital is what it's all about.
"Probably the most special part of it all is when we get to go to the Children's Hospital and deliver those teddy bears," Zimmerman said.
"That's something I'll never forget. You're kind of like the makeshift Santa for the day, I guess, bringing in all the teddy bears… and it was a lot of fun."
Fans are asked to bring new or gently-used small or medium-sized stuffed toys to toss onto to the ice when the Hitmen score their first goal against the Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Intelligence memo flagged possible 'violent revenge' after Ottawa protest shutdown
Newly disclosed documents show federal intelligence officials warned decision-makers that the police dispersal of 'Freedom Convoy' protesters in Ottawa last winter could prompt an 'opportunistic attack' against a politician or symbol of government.

The return of Zellers: Hudson's Bay to resurrect Canadian discount retail chain
Canadian department store Zellers hopes to make a comeback next year, a decade after the discount chain shuttered most of its locations.
Proportion of French speakers declines nearly everywhere in Canada, including Quebec
The proportion of Canadians who predominantly speak French at home declined in all provinces and territories except Yukon between 2016 and 2021, according to the latest census release.
Why is ArriveCan still mandatory, and what is Ottawa's plan for the app?
The glitch-prone app touted as an efficient border tool early in the pandemic has become a punching bag for critics who question its utility -- but ArriveCan may be here to stay.
Trump's angry words spur warnings of real violence: officials
A growing number of ardent Donald Trump supporters seem ready to strike back against the FBI or others who they believe go too far in investigating the former U.S. president.
Increased loneliness, isolation a side effect of inflation for Canadian seniors
Canadian seniors are being forced to make tough choices, cutting out frills and nice-to-haves in the face of near 40-year-high inflation rates. But older adults also face a unique, less-talked-about challenge — the increased social isolation that experts say often occurs as a result of high inflation.
Large fire in central London railway arch now under control: fire service
A large fire that broke out in a railway arch in Southwark, central London, on Wednesday morning was under control by midday, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.
Warnings issued for B.C.'s South Coast amid brief heat wave
Much of the B.C.’s South Coast is under a heat warning with temperatures expected to soar.
Majority of Canadians say sexual misconduct is a big issue in youth hockey: survey
Amid allegations of sexual assaults involving members of past Canadian men’s world junior hockey teams, Canadians say sexual misconduct remains a concerning issue within the sport’s culture.