‘It’s a great cause:’ Howe, Pats prepare for annual Teddy Bear Toss game

Tanner Howe has had quite a run when it comes to the Regina Pats’ annual Teddy Bear Toss night.

The forward has scored the team’s first goal in the past two Teddy Bear Toss nights, the only Pats player to do that since the event began in 1996. Only Howe and forward Grant Jacobsen (1999, 2001) have scored multiple goals to send the bears flying.

Howe will look to make it three years in a row on Saturday when the WHL’s Pats host the Swift Current Broncos.

“It’s cool to see those teddy bears come down when you score. It goes to a good cause to all the children in the hospital and stuff like that. You gain an extra step in your foot after you score one of those goals,” the Pats captain said. “Going back to back, that’s pretty cool. To get a third one would be awesome, but (I’m) just looking forward to it.

“To be known for that would be pretty cool and it goes to such a good cause. To score three times in a row, it would be pretty cool and super-special to me.”

The Teddy Bear Toss games are held by WHL clubs at the end of November and throughout December.

When the first goal by the home team is scored, fans are encouraged to throw teddy bears or other plushies onto the ice. They are then collected and handed out to children at a local hospital.

“I didn’t get to do it last year but some people did and it looked so fun. Those kids love it so much. It’s such a great cause and I want to do it this year,” Howe said

“It’s huge (being able to give back). Every little kid here looks up to the Pats, so to go out and do community work and hand out tickets or work at Tim (Hortons), anything like that it’s super-fun and the fans love it.”

However, a product of Prince Albert, will also try to help the Pats (10-14-1-1) end a recent run of losses. Regina, which is in Brandon to take on the Wheat Kings on Friday, has lost its past five games, with the last four on the road due to Agribition taking over the Brandt Centre.

“It’s nice to get a new start here and get back to work; you get back to practice and watching video. It wasn’t the best weekend for us but it’s good to be back here in Regina,” Howe said.

Howe has taken on more of a leadership role on and off the ice with the Pats after he was named the team’s captain this season. The 18-year-old has 30 points (15 goals and 15 assists) in 26 games and has become more of a vocal leader in the room.

“I think it’s about learning from those games but also putting them behind us. It’s a new start here and we’re back at home here so (let’s) just get a new start and put it behind us,” Howe said. “(If we) watch video (and) work hard in practice and those little things and it will come.

“We want to win games and we haven’t been. We want to get it going on the right path and get it going through Christmas and come back and keep it going.”