BOISE, Idaho — While Idaho Steelheads players like Matt Register, Jared Moe, and Wade Murphy always make a big impact on the ice - Saturday night, it was the Steelheads fans' turn to make a big play.
The team's annual Teddy Bear Toss came out of hibernation Saturday night. The charity drive is a partnership between the Steelheads, their booster club, and the U.S. Marine Corps, which collects toys for Treasure Valley children in need.
"We have energy in here every night," said Cam McGuire, Steelheads' director of broadcasting and communications. "But when you have an event like this, and you have a promotion like the Teddy Bear Toss here tonight - it's going to bring the energy up even louder."
The tradition of the Teddy Bear Toss goes back to the Steelheads' first season in 1997. After the Steelies score their first goal, fans litter the ice at Idaho Central Arena with teddy bears and stuffed animals to donate to the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.
"The scene of the bears raining down, it's a great time," Steelheads Captain A.J. White said. "Anytime we're able to help any kind of cause, I think we just kind of take it to heart and try to play a little bit harder as well. So it's a special game for us to be a part of."
It was a special game that Steelheads fans showed their support for with another sellout crowd - the team's 10th sellout out of 11 home games so far this season.
"I think the support in the arena is clearly evident with all the sellouts we've had, but I think the support in the community is even greater," McGuire said. "You walk around the streets downtown, you see Steelheads jerseys, you see Steelheads T-shirts - but I think what the organization has done a really nice job of over the last couple of years is expanding that footprint across the Treasure Valley community."
The charity drive is another win on the ice in a season full of success so far. The Steelheads have started this year with a 15-2 record.
"It's been a good, fun start," White said. "We know it's crucial to be good every week in, week out. All the points matter leading to playoffs, and we want to keep this thing rolling as long as we can."
This season, the Idaho Steelheads and KTVB have partnered to broadcast every home game on Idaho's Very Own 24/7 in the Boise and Twin Falls markets.
Idaho's Very Own 24/7 is available free over the air on channel 7.2 or 7-2, depending on your TV brand. It is also available on Sparklight Cable on channel 13 and Cox Cable on channel 128.
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