AHL & ECHL: 2024–25 Teddy Bear Toss Champions

Division Totals

AHL Teddy Bear Toss Results (2024–25)

Each December at the GIANT Center, the Hershey Bears turn the arena into a sea of plush toys when fans unleash thousands of teddy bears onto the ice after the team’s first goal—a tradition that began in 2001 and has grown into the world’s largest hockey-based toy drive. To date, the annual GIANT Teddy Bear Toss has collected an astonishing 566,450 stuffed animals, all of which volunteers sort and distribute to more than 30 local charities, children’s hospitals, and shelters across Central Pennsylvania. What started as a grassroots giveaway now brings together over 10,000 fans each year, harnessing the excitement of the game to deliver warmth and joy to families in need throughout the holiday season.

Each holiday season, Rockford’s IceHogs host their Teddy Bear Toss: fans bring new stuffed animals, and after the team’s first goal, they launch them onto the ice. On Saturday, December 14, as part of a United for Literacy Night jersey auction benefiting United Way, supporters rained down 3,721 toys—pushing Rockford’s all-time total past 60,000. “Hammy” and team staff then delivered the bears to more than 20 local charities and hospitals—among them Rock House Kids, Carpenter’s Place, the YWCA, Shelter Care Ministries, and Toys for Tots. The franchise’s single-game record of 5,526 bears tossed remains from 2012.

The Springfield Thunderbirds set a franchise record by collecting 7,162 stuffed animals—the first time they’ve topped 7,000—during their 9th Annual Teddy Bear Toss at the MassMutual Center. Tyler Tucker’s third-period goal triggered the avalanche of toys and spurred an overtime comeback win over Rockford before a sellout crowd of 6,793. The following Monday, players, mascot Boomer, and staff delivered the bears to a dozen local youth-serving organizations—including the Boys & Girls Club, Ronald McDonald House, and Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services—bringing the event’s all-time total to over 40,000 donated animals since its 2016 inception. Team and community leaders praised the fans’ generosity and the event’s holiday spirit, highlighting the smiles and memories it creates for underprivileged children across Western Massachusetts.

The Heart Behind the Toss

Whether it was Nolan Volcan’s goal triggering the toss in Fort Wayne, or Jarrett Lee opening the scoring for Orlando, the 2024–25 Teddy Bear Toss was once again a highlight of the season. With many teams expanding their donation networks and encouraging year-round charitable involvement, both the ECHL and the AHL continues to prove that its heart is just as big as its hits.

Even if you’re not thrilled about the brief stoppage of play, tossing a bear on the ice is about far more than a momentary delay—it’s a powerful way for every fan to make a tangible impact in their community.

Directly Brightens a Child’s Day
At its core, the Teddy Bear Toss transforms a simple puck drop into an act of kindness. Every plush toy collected goes straight into the hands of a child who might otherwise wake up on a chilly winter morning without a gift. For families coping with financial hardship, illness, or other challenges, that one new stuffed animal can be a symbol of hope and normalcy. Even if you’d rather see the game flow uninterrupted, knowing that your bear—and thousands of others—will land in the arms of a child in need can make those few extra seconds more than worth it.

Strengthens the Bond Between Fans and Team
When fans pause to shower the ice with bears, it’s a reminder that hockey clubs aren’t just about wins and losses. It’s a shared tradition that unites an entire arena, from toddlers to grandparents, behind a common cause. For many long-time supporters, the sacrifice of a few seconds of game time pays dividends in fostering a deeper sense of belonging. By participating, even skeptics become part of a collective effort: cheering for the team and cheering for lives that will be positively impacted off the ice.

Showcases Hockey’s Community-First Spirit
The beauty of the Teddy Bear Toss lies in its simplicity: a goal leads to an outpouring of generosity. In an era where sports can feel overly commercialized, this annual pause reminds us why hockey is so special in many towns—because it cares. Players, coaches, and front-office staff often help sort and deliver the dozens of charities that benefit. Even if you’d wish the game clock kept running, embracing the delay underscores that hockey isn’t just entertainment; it’s a community institution that rallies behind those who need it most.

Inspires Ongoing Philanthropy
Participating in the Teddy Bear Toss often sparks a longer-term commitment to giving back. A fan who donates a single bear might later volunteer to sort toys, advocate for local shelters, or contribute to other charitable initiatives. By experiencing firsthand how a small action can create a ripple effect of joy, even the most time-conscious supporters may find themselves engaged in new ways—long after the ice is cleared.

In short, the few seconds spent gathering teddy bears aren’t merely a “delay” to the game; they’re a bridge between the excitement of hockey and the real needs of kids in the community. Even if you’d rather see uninterrupted action, tossing a bear is a reminder that fandom also means using our collective passion for something greater than goals and assists.

How Fans Can Help Their Teams Next Year

Teddy Bear Toss events thrive because of passionate fans. With the 2025-26 season schedules released and special promotion nights on the horizon, there’s no better time to start thinking about those stuffed animals. Anyone already collecting for next year’s toss?

Here’s how you can support your team’s impact in the 2025–26 season:

1. Bring a Bear (or Two!)
Pack new or gently used stuffed animals to toss onto the ice after your team’s first goal. Every bear makes a difference. If you want to keep them clean just wrap them in a plastic bag so they don’t get wet when they hit the ice,

2. Organize a Drive
Some fans and booster clubs lead week- or month-long collection drives before the toss. If your team allows it, this can multiply donations and involve schools, workplaces, or community groups. The more the bear-ier!

3. Share the Moment
Post your photos or videos on social media using your team’s official hashtag or tagging them directly. It helps amplify awareness and encourages others to join in.

4. Donate if You Can’t Attend
Many teams accept donations in advance or work with local charities that collect toys throughout the season.

5. Encourage Totals Reporting
Cheer your team on—and ask them to report the number of bears collected on social media! A little competition helps builds excitement. That may mean even more stuffed animals for children who may need a little cheer and comfort.

6. Volunteer Behind the Scenes
Some teams welcome help sorting and delivering stuffed animals after the game. Reach out to your team or booster club to see how to assist.

7. Spread the Word
Tell friends and family about Teddy Bear Toss night. A bigger crowd means more bears—and more smiles for kids who need them.

Are We Missing Your Team’s Total?

It’s truly unbear-able that we missed a team’s toss total but we are hoping that the team’s and fans can help us track the event next season. Our goal is to highlight the full impact of next season’s Teddy Bear Toss events, so we’re looking for all teams to submit their final stuffed animal donation totals on social media next year with along with the date of the toss and the recipient organizations.

Reporting your totals helps us showcase your community impact, recognize your fans’ generosity, and celebrate the success of teams across the league. It also supports charitable partners by demonstrating the power of your event.

Be on the lookout for our 2025-26 Season Kickoff for the event for more information on how we will be collecting that information should your team wish to participate in our league-wide challenge.

In the 2025-26 Season we hope to crown our first champion of the SPHL!