The Kamloops Blazers hosted the Penticton Vees on Dec. 5, 2025, for their annual Teddy Bear Toss night at the Sandman Centre.
What is now a popular tradition for many junior and minor league hockey teams, the teddy bear toss began back in 1993, right here in Kamloops, in the same arena the Blazers still call home. The event, conceived by then-Blazers marketing director Don Larson, was simple: invite fans to bring stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto the ice after the home team’s first goal, with donations going to local hospitals or charities.
As the action began for this year’s game, the building was buzzing with anticipation, with many fans wondering when the home team would trigger the toss. While Blazers fans were sure the goal would come early, they were ultimately proven wrong when it was the Vees who struck first, opening the scoring just 2:31 into the game on a shot from Jiri Kamas.
Early in the second period, 18-year-old defenceman Kayd Ruedig scored the first goal for Kamloops when he picked up a loose puck off the play in the Vee’s end and deked the puck around Vee’s defenceman before releasing a shot on the net. Once the puck crossed the line, it triggered the rain of stuffed animals from fans down on the ice as the team celebrated the goal. Volunteers, players, and staff worked together to clear the ice. Early estimates suggested the haul reached around 2,000 toys, all of which headed to local hospitals, charities, and community organizations.
As play resumed, the momentum shifted in the Vee’s favour, as Penticton responded with two quick goals just minutes apart to take control of the game 3-1. The WHL’s point leader, J.P. Hurlbert, found the back of the net on a play set up by second-place scorer Nathan Bhem.
In the third period, the Vees took full control of the game and netted four goals on Blazers Goalie Logan Edmonstone. Penticton spoiled the Blazers’ teddy bear toss and took home a 7-2 victory.
For the past 32 years, the Teddy Bear Toss has been an annual tradition for the Blazers. The first toss took place on Dec. 5, 1993, when defenceman Brad Lukowich scored the first goal, triggering a rain of stuffed animals on the ice. The community responded well, and more than 2,400 bears were thrown onto the ice that night, starting the iconic hockey tradition. From that night forward, what began as a local promotion soon spread throughout junior hockey leagues, the NHL, and even around the world. Today, many hockey teams host annual teddy bear toss games, and fans bring plush toys to enjoy seeing them rain down after their team scores.
The legacy the special game has created is powerful; a simple idea has grown into a global symbol of community, generosity, and holiday spirit, all born from that first toss in Kamloops more than three decades ago.