Minor Leagues: Annual Teddy Bear Toss Underway | 2024-2025

Photo: Stacey Grubich/Inside the Rink

The 2024-25 Teddy Bear Toss season is in full swing, with a lot of hockey fans eagerly participating in this heartwarming tradition across various AHL, ECHL, and SPHL teams. The Hershey Bears (AHL), known for their record-breaking tosses, are set to host their annual event on January 5, 2025. Last season, they collected an impressive 74,599 stuffed animals, setting a new world record.

The Teddy Bear Toss has a long history and has created many memorable moments over the years. The Hershey Bears have set multiple records, including a massive 45,650 bears in 2019, which delayed the game for 40 minutes due to the sheer volume of toys. These moments only highlight the joy and community spirit that the Teddy Bear Toss brings to hockey fans and players alike.

Here are the upcoming Teddy Bear Toss dates in each league:

*Though we carefully scoured for the latest information, please confirm your team’s Teddy Bear Toss dates via their promotion/theme night schedule for any updates or changes.

Upcoming ECHL Teddy Bear Toss Dates

  • Jacksonville Icemen: 12/6/2024
  • Florida Everblades: 12/7/2024
  • Fort Wayne Komets: 12/7/2024
  • Reading Royals: 12/7/2024
  • South Carolina Stingrays: 12/7/2024
  • Toledo Walleye: 12/7/2024
  • Trois-Rivieres Lions: 12/7/2024
  • Maine Mariners: 12/8/2024
  • Savannah Ghost Pirates: 12/8/2024
  • Worcester Railers: 12/8/2024
  • Atlanta Gladiators: 12/13/2024
  • Iowa Heartlanders: 12/13/2024
  • Adirondack Thunder: 12/14/2024
  • Bloomington Bison: 12/14/2024
  • Greenville Swamp Rabbits: 12/14/2024
  • Idaho Steelheads: 12/14/2024
  • Indy Fuel: 12/14/2024
  • Rapid City Rush: 12/14/2024
  • Tahoe Knight Monsters: 12/14/2024
  • Allen Americans: 12/20/2024
  • Kansas City Mavericks: 12/21/2024
  • Norfolk Admirals: 12/21/2024
  • Utah Grizzles: 12/21/2024
  • Orlando Solar Bears: 12/22/2024
  • Cincinnati Cyclones: 2/1/2025

Count of 2024-25 Teddy Bear Toss events per month for the ECHL team event dates:

  • November 2024: 4 events
  • December 2024: 24 events
  • February 2025: 1 event

Upcoming AHL Teddy Bear Toss Dates

  • Chicago Wolves: 12/07/2024
  • Hartford Wolf Pack: 12/07/2024
  • Henderson Silver Knights: 12/07/2024
  • Laval Rocket: 12/07/2024
  • Lehigh Valley Phantoms: 12/07/2024
  • Manitoba Moose: 12/07/2024
  • San Diego Gulls: 12/07/2024
  • San Jose Barracuda: 12/07/2024
  • Springfield Thunderbirds: 12/07/2024
  • Toronto Marlies: 12/07/2024
  • Belleville Senators: 12/13/2024
  • Texas Stars: 12/13/2024
  • Bakersfield Condors: 12/14/2024
  • Colorado Eagles: 12/14/2024
  • Rockford IceHogs: 12/14/2024
  • Syracuse Crunch: 12/14/2024
  • Tucson Roadrunners: 12/14/2024
  • Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins: 12/14/2024
  • Iowa Wild: 12/20/2024
  • Ontario Reign: 12/21/2024
  • Cleveland Monsters: 12/22/2024
  • Coachella Valley Firebirds: 12/28/2024
  • Hershey Bears: 01/05/2025
  • Milwaukee Admirals: 01/25/2025
  • Rochester Americans: 02/22/2025
  • Providence Bruins: 03/02/2025

Count of all 2024-25 Teddy Bear Toss events per month for the AHL team event dates:

  • November 2024: 3 events
  • December 2024: 23 events
  • January 2025: 2 events
  • February 2025: 1 event
  • March 2025: 1 event

Team with no date found for the Teddy Bear Toss in 2024-25:

Calgary Wranglers

Upcoming SPHL Teddy Bear Toss Dates

Here are the remaining dates, ordered by date:

  • Birmingham Bulls – 12/6/2024
  • Peoria Rivermen – 12/6/2024
  • Evansville Thunderbolts – 12/7/2024
  • Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs – 12/21/2024

Teams with no date found for the Teddy Bear Toss in 2024-25:

  • Fayetteville Marksmen
  • Macon Mayhem
  • Pensacola Ice Flyers
  • Quad City Storm

Total count of all 2024-25 Teddy Bear Toss events per month for the SPHL dates:

November 2024: 2 events

December 2024: 4 events


December is clearly the busiest month for Teddy Bear Toss events, with 50 events in total. The majority of teams host their events during this time, with all donations going to local charities. 

General Safety Guidelines* for Teddy Bear Toss Events

  • Wait for the first goal: Only throw your stuffed animals onto the ice after the home team scores their first goal. If no goal is made by the home team an announcement will be made by the home venue on when your stuffed animals may be tossed – please wait until instructed.
  • No other objects: Do not throw any objects other than stuffed toys onto the ice.
  • Bag your bears: Though not required by some teams, it is a good idea to place each stuffed toy in a separate plastic bag to protect them once they’re thrown. This helps to keep them clean as they hit the ice.
  • Stuffed Animal Requirements May Vary: Please check with your local team for any additional requirements regarding the stuffed animals.

*Please see your local venue for any specific guidelines they may have for the event as they may differ from above.

Tracking and Results

Inside the Rink is tracking the results of the Teddy Bear Toss events and will crown the top three teams in each league based on the number of stuffed animals collected, if reported.

Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses and more teams announce their Teddy Bear Toss results. This beloved tradition continues to bring joy to fans and support to communities in need.


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Karen Zehner

Inside The Rink ECHL Manager | Senior Editor | Credentialed Beat Writer covering the ECHL Atlanta Gladiators. Diving into the world of slap shots, penalty kills, and the game we love. [@RunwithK] on socials.

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