LETHBRIDGE – It’s been a tough season on the ice for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, so a chance to spread some smiles is likely just what the team needed.
The Hurricanes stopped by Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, handing out teddy bears to kids on the pediatrics floor. The bears were the bounty collected from the annual teddy bear toss game Saturday night.
The team’s annual visit to the floor is a tradition that lifts spirits of players and patients alike.
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“Having those elite players come in and chat and even just laugh, laughter is just the biggest portion,” said child life specialist practicum student Brittany Dyke. “It’s been absolutely phenomenal.”
2477 stuffed animals and 461 toques rained down from the Enmax Centre crowd after Taylor Cooper’s goal Saturday night. All will be distributed to a variety of local charities.
The first visit of the day brought the team to Dawson Folk’s room. The 15-year-old is in hospital battling asthma issues. He’s also a Bantam AA hockey player, so the chance to break up the monotony of the hospital stay by talking hockey with the Hurricanes was a welcome reprieve.
“It’s nice to change up from just watching movies and doing homework and such,” said Folk.
For the Hurricanes players, the visit helps put in perspective how fortunate they are to have a career in the Western Hockey League.
“I work in a hospital in the summer,” said captain Jamal Watson. “And when you see kids kind of not get a fair shake it just makes you feel grateful about how much you actually have in your life.”
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