The Sheffield Steelers are preparing for their annual Teddy Bear Toss Night on Saturday against Coventry Blaze, as the club continues to help local kids “feel that joy” this festive season.
The Teddy Bear Toss will see the over 8,000 strong ‘Utilita Arena’ crowd throw stuffed toys down onto the ice after the first steelers goal, with the toys going to children who may go without presents this Christmas.
Steelers manager Aaron Fox, who is in his sixth year in charge said: “It has been something that has been, over the last few years, very prominent throughout the hockey world. And you see how impactful it is to the children that need new toys over the holiday period.”
Along with the Teddy Toss, the Steelers are raising money by running their biggest raffle yet by giving away special edition shirts, unique to each player.
The money raised by this will go towards the Steelers continued partnership with the charities “Cash for Kids” and “Mission Christmas”.
Steelers forward Evan Jasper said: “We are very fortunate to live the lives that we live, and if we can do anything that we can to help others in need.
“I know around the holiday season, there’s a lot of people enduring tough times, so to be able to do a teddy bear drive like this and see some kids smile on Christmas, I think that’s really important.”
The Steelers come into Saturday night’s 7pm Face Off on a three game winning streak, including a 5-1 victory over the Blaze last time out.
Sheffield’s defence has been strong all season long, and Fox has given special mention to the addition of backup netminder Eamon McAdam with helping to sure up that side of the game.
“Having a guy like Mac back there that can step in and give [Matt] Greenfield a rest of some key night , he’s 3-0 in league play and is leading the league in goals against and save percentage [per game]. That’s a complimentary piece for us.”
The game against the Blaze is the first match of a double header for the Steelers this weekend, as they also face the Dundee Stars on Sunday at the Dundee Ice Arena.
