2025 Providence Bruins vs Hershey Bears

Hershey Bears Toss Old Record Aside, Set New One

Hershey Bears Toss Old Record Aside, Set New One

The Hershey Bears set another new hockey world record Sunday with 102,343 stuffed animals donated as part of their annual Teddy Bear Toss charity promotion.

Jan 6, 2025 by Patrick Williams
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Another year means another record for the Hershey Bears.

Hershey set a new hockey world record Sunday afternoon when 102,343 stuffed animals found their way to the Giant Center ice as part of the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss charity promotion.

Down 1-0 to the visiting Providence Bruins, Hershey forward Mike Sgarbossa slipped a low shot past goaltender Brandon Bussi with 5:15 to go in the first period. That goal immediately prompted a deluge of toys from the sellout crowd of 10,514 followed by a lengthy delay to clear the ice and begin the process of packing the toys for delivery to children.

Sgarbossa’s goal was the first of five unanswered tallies for the Bears, who took a 5-1 win to sweep their two-game home set with the P-Bruins. Spencer Smallman helped to break the game open with a pair of goals.

The Bears began the promotion in 2001 when they still played at the historic Hersheypark Arena, and it has since spread across several different hockey leagues. Sunday’s mark broke the previous record of 74,599 set by the Bears last season. The team will donate the toys to more than 35 local and regional charities. The Sweigart Family Foundation will also match the number of stuffed animals thrown on the ice with a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Sunday’s win moved Hershey (21-10-3-0) into a tie with the Rochester Americans for the Eastern Conference lead in points with 45. The Bears are attempting to become the first team team to win three consecutive Calder Cup championships since Springfield did so 1960-62.


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