The 2024-25 Battlefords North Stars after last years teddy bear toss on Dec. 15, 2024. (Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

Teddy bear toss

Teddy Bears will fly at Saturday’s North Stars game

Dec 12, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Despite the cold temperatures outside, the forecast inside the Access Communications Centre on Saturday is calling for flying fluff.

The Battlefords North Stars are set to host the Flin Flon Bombers for their annual Teddy Bear Toss, where the first goal will result in the ice being filled with teddy bears.

Last season, the teddy-tossing goal belonged to Jace Rask.

When reflecting on last year’s event, Advanced Care Paramedic Supervisor Erik Marcoux talked about the tradition that the teddy bear toss has become.

“It’s been a great partnership. I believe we started back in 2018…it’s been nice to have more support in the community, especially [the] teddy bear toss. I think last year we got about 1500 teddy bears from the game, so that helps fill up an ambulance for sure.”

Kotai goes pro

From the Battlefords to the Big Apple: former North Stars goalie signs with New York Islanders

8m ago

Two Thumbs Up

New uranium mines to push Saskatchewan into 'new era'

28m ago

infrastructure

North Battleford backs Red Pheasant bid for new band office study

33m ago

After the game, an ambulance heads out onto the ice to get filled with all of the teddy bears that rain down onto the ice after the North Stars first goal.

“We take pictures with paramedics, the team with all the teddy bears. It’s good to see the team, all the paramedics and all the teddy bears all together and come together for the community,” said Marcoux.

Marcoux talked about the impact that the partnership between the North Stars and WPD Ambulance has made on the Battlefords with the toss.

“It’s a big team in our community, and it’s nice that they’re able to step up and help with such a big need in our community. There are a lot of kids who may not get gifts over Christmas, so it’s nice to see them help out,” said Marcoux. “1500 teddy bears go a long way for kids to have gifts on Christmas.”

Along with the 1500 teddy bears, the Cram the Ambulance initiative made sure that more than 600 kids got toys for Christmas. Cram the Ambulance runs until Dec. 17 with various donation bins set up at stores across North Battleford.

People in the community and North Stars fans have the opportunity to donate to the Cram the Ambulance initiative until Dec. 17, and be a part of a hockey tradition that dates back to 1993 with the teddy bear toss on Dec. 13 when the Flin Flon Bombers are in town against the North Stars.

—

Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com