Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey has invited the families from Bearskin Lake First Nation who were displaced from their homes due to the flooding of Severn River to the Newmont Goldcorp Teddy Bear Toss game against the Laurier Golden Hawks on Friday, Nov. 22.
The Thunderwolves’ annual Teddy Bear Toss game is an event in which fans bring teddy bears to throw on the ice after the first Thunderwolves goal is scored. The teddy bears will be collected and donated to local children’s based charities.
This year, the Thunderwolves are asking fans to bring an extra teddy bear to leave at the door so that the families from Bearskin Lake can also participate in the Teddy Bear Toss. About 100 members of the Bearskin Lake community are expected to attend Friday’s game.
“We are very happy to be part of this wonderful community partnership,” Tom Warden, Director of Lakehead Athletics, said.
Reach Up! Coordinator Melissa Burton will be assisting with the collection of teddy bears at the Fort William Gardens entrance alongside Thunderwolves redshirted goaltender Blake Weyrick.
“Reach Up! visited Bearskin Lake First Nation last year for a weekend of cultural and sports-specific programming, including hockey,” said Burton.
“We are pleased to host members of this community while they are in Thunder Bay to see our Thunderwolves in action and participate in the Teddy Bear Toss.”
Reach Up! Northern Community Sports and Leadership Program is a collaborative initiative between Lakehead University Athletics and Wasaya Airways to provide on-site instruction in sport-specific coaching and general leadership strategies for youth in Northern Ontario First Nations communities. Lakehead athletes meet with local youth to discuss peer leadership, life goals, and to share their personal experiences. Lakehead University Athletics and Wasaya Airways believe in the power of sport to change lives.
The doors for the Newmont Goldcorp Teddy Bear Toss game will open at 6:00 p.m. and puck drop is set to be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
