NEWS PHOTO
Medicine Hat Tiger Bryan Lockner gives a stuffed animal Monday, Dec. 3, 2019 to five-year-old Liam Labrie at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.
Fresh off Saturday’s annual Teddy Bear Toss, a handful of Medicine Hat Tigers players spent Monday morning at the local hospital, giving out stuffed animals to kids.
After the first Tigers goal on Saturday, fans were given the go ahead to throw stuffed animals, toques and mitts they had brought to the game onto the ice.
That goal was scored by right-winger Brett Kemp, who told the News he was looking forward to seeing “how happy they’re going to be.”
“We’re just giving back to the community for everything they’ve done for us,” said Kemp. “Giving to the sick kids that need help, it’s just a little part that we can do.”
He said he hopes to “bring some light to their day.”
“We want to bring some positivity to their lives,” Kemp said.
One recipient was Ewan McCuaig, who described himself a big Tigers fan.
“I like how they score. I like how they play and I like how they work together,” said McCuaig.
Tigers captain James Hamblin says it’s an “honour” to give out the teddy bears.
“Obviously, these kids are less fortunate – being in the hospital this time of the year isn’t great, and we know that – so to be able to give the teddy bears to them is really special,” he said.
” Being in here isn’t easy, especially since they probably have friends who are out, being able to be at home. It’s just a special time of year and we’re glad we can do this.”
