Teddy Bear Toss in Plymouth Saturday

When the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds this Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Compuware Arena, they’ll be playing for more than two points in the tight Western Conference standings.

The Whalers are hosting their annual Teddy Bear Toss, in the anticipation of making a child’s Christmas Day a little brighter.

The concept is simple and fun to see. Fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal to Saturday’s game and throw it on the ice the first time the Whalers score (the 2008 event is pictured above). The Whalers – with the assistance of Plymouth United Way – will donate any stuffed animal to various United Way charities.

In addition, the Whalers booster club will be selling stuffed animals at the game to make the situation a little more convenient for fans.

The Teddy Bear Toss is the second special event recently hosted by the Whalers designed to help individuals and families in need. Last Saturday, the Whalers collected over a ton of non-perishable food items for Plymouth United Way – an all-time record. Plymouth United Way will oversee the distribution of the food items with the help of Salvation Army.

An added component of the food donation for fans was the opportunity to win a $500 shopping spree, courtesy of 12 Oaks Mall. Long-time Whalers fan Irene Addison won the shopping spree.

WHALERS MOVE MORE GAMES TO 88.1 FM WSDP: An experiment that started as a trial run with three games in November is moving more quickly in December. The Whalers will be airing more games on 88.1 FM WSDP “The Escape," starting Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. when Plymouth hosts Saginaw. WSDP will be airing 27 of the Whalers remaining games over the rest of the 2009-10 season, with playoffs a viable option as well. Pete Krupsky provides the play-by-play, with WDFN's Sean Baligian providing color on many of the broadcasts.

A complete list of Plymouth games to be aired in WSDP can be found below. In addition, WSDP may be covering the 2010 Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game, held Jan. 20 in Windsor.

All other games will be aired online on http://www.plymouthwhalers.com/.

PLYMOUTH WHALERS RADIO BROADCASTS on 88.1 FM WSDP

Wednesday, December 2 Saginaw 7pm
Friday, December 4 at Saginaw 7pm
Thursday, December 10 at Sarnia 7:15pm
Saturday, December 12 Saginaw 7pm
Friday, December 18 at Oshawa 7:30pm
Saturday, December 19 at Guelph 2pm
Monday, December 28 Erie 2pm

Wednesday, January 6 at Erie 7pm
Thursday, January 7 at Niagara 7:30pm
Saturday, January 16 Niagara 7pm
Monday, January 18 Windsor 2pm
Friday, January 22 at Mississauga 7:30pm
Wednesday, January 27 at Owen Sound 7pm
Friday, January 29 Brampton 7pm
Saturday, January 30 London 7pm

Saturday, February 6 Owen Sound 7pm
Wednesday, February 10 at Guelph 7pm
Friday, February 12 at Saginaw 7pm
Friday, February 19 Mississauga 7pm
Saturday, February 20 Sarnia 7pm
Thursday, February 25 at Windsor 7pm

Tuesday, March 2 at Saginaw 10:45am
Friday, March 5 SS Marie 7pm
Saturday, March 6 Saginaw 7pm
Thursday, March 11 at Windsor 7pm
Friday, March 12 at SS Marie 7:30pm

Photo by Walt Dmoch