The Teddy Bear Toss is a grand tradition in minor and junior hockey leagues that looks fun to participate in and helps a great cause in the end.
Last year, we brought you the spectacle that was the Teddy Bear Toss during a Calgary Hitmen game which saw 23,096 stuffed animals hit the ice and later donated to the Alberta Children's Hospital.
On Sunday, the Hitmen hosted the event for the 17th year and beat their total from last season. After their first goal, Hitmen fans bombarded the ice with a total of 25,003 stuffed animals.
Last season, it took less than four minutes into the game for the Hitmen to score the first goal, thereby beginning the rain of stuffed toys; on Sunday, however, fans sat on edge through two power plays and 38 minutes of hockey before Calgary scored their first and only goal during a 2-1 loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
While the 25,003 stuffed animals surpassed last year's total, it still was short of the record -- claimed by the Hitmen -- set in 2007 of 26,919.
Here's a view of this year's Toss from right against the glass:
According to the Calgary Herald, the team will donate the stuffed animals in person to local hospitals on Monday.
That will make for 25,003 very happy kids.