SIUE Ice Hockey Team Honors K-9 Heroes with Community Driven Donation
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Club Ice Hockey team will present a donation check to the Alton Police Department K-9 Unit at a special ceremony at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11 at Department headquarters, located at 1700 E. Broadway in Alton. The donation was made possible through the team’s Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game and Silent Jersey Auction, events that have become signature traditions and fundraisers for SIUE’s club ice hockey team.
As part of the presentation, the team will gift specially designed SIUE Hockey Teddy Bear-themed jerseys to Officer Allen Averbeck for fallen K-9 partner Odin, Officer Mike Morelli and K-9 Jax, as well as K-9 Rico and K-9 Crash. The event celebrates the ongoing collaboration between SIUE students and regional partners in public safety and service.
The Teddy Bear Toss has evolved into a heartfelt tradition since its debut during the 2018–19 season. The idea was originally proposed by then-graduate assistant Joe Carrillo, who was inspired by a similar initiative he witnessed during an internship with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes. During the 2024-25 season, the Teddy Bear Toss game produced more than 200 stuffed animals which were donated to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
In addition to the stuffed animal donations, the team raised $967.53 through its Teddy Bear Toss-themed jersey auction, with proceeds benefiting the Alton Police Department K-9 Unit. The success of the event was supported by generous jersey sponsorships from Play It Again Sports – Edwardsville, SIUE alumnus and former Club Ice Hockey Team President Daniel Brynildsen, and McAtee Dental in Collinsville, IL, donated by Daniel McAtee, PhD.
Team Captain Connor Hinterser reflected on the team’s efforts, noting that community connection has always been central to the club’s identity.
“The foundation of the club ice hockey program at SIUE is built upon community engagement and support,” Hinterser said. “Traditions like the Teddy Bear Toss keep those values at the forefront. Our community surrounding SIUE is filled with hockey fans, so being able to utilize a game to produce positive interactions is what it’s all about. The SIUE program is excited and proud to continue helping in any way it can by giving back both to the Alton Police Department and to the community as a whole.”
SIUE Club Ice Hockey continues to demonstrate the power of sport to unite people in service of meaningful causes. With its latest gesture of support to the Alton Police Department K-9 Unit, the team reaffirms its dedication to building bridges across communities and using athletics as a platform for good.
PHOTO: Club Ice Hockey Captain Connor Hinterser at the 2024-25 season Teddy Bear Toss Game
