ESTERO, Fla. — A sellout crowd of 7,405 helped the Florida Everblades set a new franchise record by donating 8,236 stuffed animals at the team’s 20th annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by Florida Community Bank on Saturday night.

Forward Justin Auger’s goal just 3:54 into the first period against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Saturday triggered the record-setting avalanche of stuffed animals.

The promotion that started in the 1999-2000 season has seen the Everblades collect more than 120,000 teddy bears total for children in Southwest Florida.

“We continue to be floored by the support and generosity of ‘Blades fans every time we do Teddy Bear Toss,” said Chris Palin, the Everblades Executive Vice President of Business Development. “This great event wouldn’t be possible without the best fans in the ECHL, and we can’t thank everyone enough for their contributions that will directly benefit local children in the holiday season.”

The Everblades team and staff will visit Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida on Monday to deliver stuffed animals to patients, which is a yearly tradition done in conjunction with the Teddy Bear Toss game.

Golisano Children’s Hospital is one of many local organizations that receives stuffed animals from the game. Teddy bears are also donated to Toys for Tots, Adopt a Family, Northside Naples Kiwanis Club, and If I Can Dream Foundation, among others.

Organizations interested in receiving stuffed animals should contact Meagan Stover with the Everblades at 239-948-7825 ext. 1033 or by email at meagans@floridaeverblades.com.

The Everblades start a stretch of five straight games on the road with a two-game series against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Thursday and Friday of this week before traveling to Jacksonville to face the Icemen on Saturday night.   

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Single-game tickets for all regular season home games are on sale now!Ticket packages for the 2018-19 season are still on sale! Become part of the Everblades Family with a Partial Season or a Flexible Voucher Package that fits your schedule and budget! All Ticket & Voucher Packages provide savings and special benefits! To view the Ticket & Voucher Package options CLICK HERE.SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase a new ticket package for the 2018-19 season and receive a $20 gift card to Ford’s Garage and an Everblades T-Shirt!Private Arena Tours are also available to select your 2018-19 season seats! Call the Everblades office at 239-948-7825 to schedule your tour today! 

About the Florida EverbladesSince their inception in 1998, the Florida Everblades have established a reputation as one of the premier organizations in the ECHL. The ‘Blades have been a consistent force on the ice, advancing to the playoffs in 19 of their 20 seasons. Florida also has quite an impressive trophy case, claiming the Brabham Cup three times for the best regular season record in the ECHL, winning four conference titles and six division titles, and capturing the 2012 Kelly Cup. Through 20 seasons, 33 Blades players have advanced to the NHL. In addition to building a winning tradition, the Everblades have also built a big following throughout Southwest Florida and have finished in the top five in the ECHL in attendance in 14 of their 20 seasons, including 10 seasons of leading the league in attendance. For more information about the Florida Everblades visit www.floridaeverblades.com.

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes