Did you know that hockey’s beloved teddy bear toss tradition began in Kamloops?

Every year, teddy bear toss games are held by hockey teams across North America, but did you know that the tradition is believed to have begun at a Kamloops Blazers game 31 years ago today?

On Dec. 5, 1993, Kamloops Blazer defenceman Brad Lukowich scored the first teddy bear toss goal in the team’s history, sending a wave of stuffed animals onto the ice.

The event has since become a popular holiday tradition that collects stuffed animals for various causes.

For those unfamiliar with the tradition, teddy bear tosses are held once a year and occur when fans throw stuffed animals onto the ice after the home team scores its first goal in a match.

Among the participating WHL teams, one franchise that stands out is the Calgary Hitmen, who previously held the record for the most stuffed animals collected at a single event.

The Hitmen’s franchise record was set on Dec. 9, 2018, when the team collected 29,635 bears.

December 5th - On This Day in BC Sport History: 1993

The first known 'Teddy Bear Toss' takes place at Kamloops' Riverside Coliseum (now the Sandman Centre) when Cranbrook's Brad Lukowich scores for the Kamloops Blazers @blazerhockey and causes over 2400 teddy bears to be.../2 pic.twitter.com/HwIdLKljoT

— Jason D Beck (@JasonBeck82) December 5, 2024

The Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League now hold the record for the most stuffed animals collected in an evening.

On Jan. 7, 2024, the Bears collected a remarkable 74,599 stuffed animals, surpassing their record of 67,309 stuffies from the prior year.

🧸 SO MANY TEDDY BEARS 🧸

The annual @TheHersheyBears Teddy Bear Toss never disappoints!

(🎥: @TheAHL) pic.twitter.com/PwS1b1x09s

— NHL (@NHL) January 7, 2024

The Kamloops Blazers are at home against Seattle for their teddy bear toss match on Friday.

Victoria will have their toss against Kelowna on Sunday and the Rockets will host their toss on Dec. 14 against the Wenatchee Wild.

The BCHL's West Kelowna Warriors are holding their teddy bear toss against the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Saturday.

West Kelowna has taken part in the tradition since 2007 and this year’s collected stuffed animals will be divided in half and donated to local children by the Salvation Army and to long-term facilities and retirement homes by Stuffies for Seniors.