Photos by Esther Frances
HERSHEY, Pa — The Hershey Bears and their fans once again break their own record at their annual teddy bear toss game, as they threw 102,343 stuffed animals onto the ice for charity following the first Hershey goal on Sunday.
Mike Sgarbossa scored with 5:15 left in the first period to tie the game vs the Providence Bruins. The teddy bear toss goal came after a false start roughly two minutes earlier. Chase Priskie fired a shot that ran off the post with 7:31 remaining in the opening frame. When the shot hit iron, one section started throwing teddy bears, only to be publicly called out.
“Growing up, you don’t know this is going to be a thing,” Sgarbossa said. “It’s almost like scoring a goal in overtime.”
Sgarbossa, who was on the ice with his young son, was given the goal scoring puck. Sgarbossa said he may put it in a plaque for his sons room.
Aaron Ness, who has spent parts of six seasons in Hershey said teddy bear toss games says it never gets old.
“This is incredible. There is nothing like this. It’s pretty special It just shows you what kind of fans we have,” the Bears captain said. “It’s a special thing for everyone involved.”
The number of stuffed animals on the ice likely broke the previous record set last year of 74,599. They also collected enough to cross the 500,000 threshold since the event became an annual tradition in 2001.
“That’s an incredible number,” Ness said. “I think it’s so cool what they do, and to keep one-upping ourselves every year. It’s pretty cool to be a part of this game in general.”
It took a crew of volunteers 42 minutes to clean up the ice as players took a step back from the game. The Bears have partnered with over 35 local and regional charities. Additionally, the Sweigart Family Foundation has pledged to donate a sum to the Children’s Miracle Network which will match the number of stuffed animals thrown on the ice.
A wild Bogdan Trineyev appears! #TeddyBearTossHershey pic.twitter.com/YEEhGWz6Df
— Brandon Alter (@brandon__alter) January 5, 2025
