GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's ice hockey team will be hosting their third annual Teddy Bear Toss on Friday, January 23 when the team takes on the Keene State College Owls at 7:00 pm in the USM Ice Arena.
 
Fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears or other stuffed animals to throw onto the ice following the first USM goal of the game. The Huskies are averaging 3.2 goals per game so far this season led by freshman Ben Aucoin (Moncton, New Brunswick) with 14 goals. Southern Maine is 1-1 in Teddy Bear Toss games with a 6-2 win over Suffolk in the inaugural game in 2024. The team will be looking to pick up another win against a Keene State team that they blanked 3-0 when the two teams met on November 8 in Keene.
 
"For the second year in a row, the USM Huskies men's hockey team will be donating bears to the Mission of Hope Clothes closet in Gorham," said head coach Matt Pinchevsky. "The clothes closet provides free clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. to anyone who needs them. The clothes closet is open twice a month and on average serves approximately 45 families or individuals each weekend. Having the bears at the clothes closet last year was such a wonderful treat for the children who came in to shop with their parents. It was wonderful to see them have the opportunity to go through the huge selection and choose the one they loved the most."
 
The Mission of Hope clothes closet is located at the Cressey Road Church in Gorham.