It is fun to throw a Teddy Bear onto the ice.
However, those of us attending the Prince George Cougars home game Sunday afternoon against the Victoria Royals, have been asked to change our way of thinking.
Sure, Teddy Bears are still welcome and will not be turned away, but the promotion has a new name, called the “Un-Teddy Bear Toss.”
So, why change what has been not only a successful annual event in Prince George, but in the entire WHL?
The reason is quite simple!
“We were getting to the point where we were getting more Teddy Bears than there was a need in the community so we started letting our partners know what the real need is in our community and that is warm clothing”, said Captain Neil Wilkinson of the Salvation Army.
The reality is that Teddy Bears are a luxury, while winter clothing is a necessity.
“Hats and mitts and scarves, of course, are always a big thing but hopefully somebody has the means to provide some coats as well. I’m surprised to this day the number of people who live in a northern climate who don’t have the appropriate northern winter wear,” added Wilkinson.
If one is working with a relatively good paying job, and trying to stay ahead of the day-to-day grind, it can be easy to forget about the many neighbours and fellow citizens that struggle to find the funds to pay for items many take for granted.
In order to keep everything dry and in the best possible shape, organizers are hoping fans put their items in a plastic bag before tossing them onto the ice.
Prince George experienced a milder than normal November, but above seasonal temperatures won’t continue for the entire months of December and January.
Should one insist on bringing a cute Teddy Bear, how about combining it with clothes or socks in that plastic bag?
Sunday’s game brings lots of anticipation about who will score the Teddy Bear or should I say Un-Teddy Bear goal.
.@PGCougars’ Josh Maser scores 2017 #TeddyBearToss goal on PP to take 1-0 lead against @victoriaroyals | #CityOfPG #Sports @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/QlcknWbOfw
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) December 10, 2017
This weekend also brings a mini farewell to the Cougars.
In a scheduling quirk, after the Cougars host Victoria Saturday at 7PM and Sunday at 2PM they won’t play again at the CN Centre for nearly a whopping six weeks.
Prince George will play five on the road before Christmas and another six away games after the break.
To put it another way, when the Cougars eventually host Kelowna January 11th and 12th, those games will be after the January 10th WHL trade deadline.
In other words, some of the players wearing a P.G. uniform this weekend could be different by the time they suit up again on home ice.
With the upcoming promotion, large gap in home schedule and real winter weather coming, I guess this is a time to simply “GRIN AND BEAR IT.”
It’s time to unfriend the ?! The @PGCougars have put a new spin on their annual ? Toss game.
DETAILS ?? | https://t.co/lDbOfo9Nsu pic.twitter.com/bjfQIhGTmE
— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 28, 2018
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This is Week 10 of ‘Hartley’s Cat Scan.’
The podcast, introduced in September, predominately features the Prince George Cougars.
My guest this week is the winningest goalie in PG Cougars history Ty Edmonds.
You can also find this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and TuneIn.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
A man using a blowtorch to kill spiders burned down his mother’s house in Fresno, Calif. He reportedly got the idea watching Jon Gruden tinker with the Oakland Raiders’ roster.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
LA Chargers QB Phillip Rivers tied an NFL record set by Ryan Tannehill with 25 straight completed passes Sunday. But does Rivers’ share of the record have an asterisk because it was against the Arizona Cardinals?
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Baker Mayfield has shown recently that if he were a singer, he might be ready for Carnegie—it’s his book called ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Former Miami Marlins pitcher Justin Wayne has been sentenced to four years in prison for insurance fraud. The only worse sentence would have been four more years with the Marlins.
*Comedy writer Jim Barach http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.ca/
A curling team was kicked out of tournament in Red Deer for being “too drunk.” Their manager has requested that the team not be scheduled again for any more games that start right after ‘Happy Hour”.
*Comedy writer TC Chong
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
John Daly told the Charlotte Observer he played better golf back when he was a drunk. Presumably in those days he used a putter, a wedge and a designated driver.
*Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
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Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT.
He also is the 94.3 radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @Hartley_Miller
Listen to him on his weekly podcast:Hartley’s Cat Scan.