For the fourth-consecutive season, the Erie Otters Hockey Club and its fans collected donations during the Charity Sock Toss on Saturday, December 14. 

The organization launched the event following the pandemic to ensure that those in need in Erie would be able to put socks on their feet like everyone else during the harsh winter season. 

The Charity Sock Toss is first event of its kind in the history of the Ontario Hockey League. 

Fans were encouraged to bring new, packaged socks to throw onto the ice during the first intermission of the selected sock game. 

The socks were then collected and counted and will now be donated to shelters within the Erie County. 

This year's Sock Toss benefited Community Shelter Services. 

This year's edition of the Sock Toss brought in 4,368 pairs of socks for those in need. The breakdown of the socks included: 

  • 3,141 pairs of Men's Socks
  • 725 pairs of Women's Socks
  • 502 pairs of Kid's Socks

According to the Erie Otters, about half of the pairs of socks collected were thrown onto the ice during intermission, with the other half coming from the St. Martin Early Learning Center. 

The St. Martin Early Learning Center's Giraffe Class helped collect 2,159 pairs of socks as part of their annual Socktober Drive that's held in collaboration with the Otters. 

Over the last four seasons, the Erie Otters have been able to donate over 12,000 pairs of socks. 

“It is beyond humbling to see the extended selflessness and goodwill of our fans and the Erie community. It is initiatives and events like this that continue to push the envelope on why we have the best fans and community in hockey.” said Bednard, “Our organization is truly humbled by the donations from our youngest supporters at the Early Learning Center, to those in jerseys on Saturday night who littered the ice with socks for men, women, and children. The winter months are so difficult for our neediest population, and the donation of a sock goes so far.”