Gladiators Deliver Smiles During Visit to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital

Several members of the Atlanta Gladiators spent part of their Monday afternoon giving back to the community, visiting patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital.

Players Ethan Scardina, Joey Cipollone, Brendan Less and Ryley Appelt were on site from 2–4 p.m., delivering teddy bears collected during the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game and spending time with patients and their families.

The visit is part of a long-standing Gladiators tradition that continues to make an impact beyond the rink. During the Teddy Bear Toss game each season, fans throw stuffed animals onto the ice after the team scores its first goal. What starts as a celebratory moment during a hockey game quickly turns into something much bigger. The bears are gathered by staff and volunteers and later distributed to children throughout the community, including patients at Arthur M. Blank Hospital.

This year’s Teddy Bear Toss took place on Feb. 14 at 7:10 p.m. during the Gladiators’ Teddy Bear Toss and “Love on the Ice” game presented by Beaver Toyota and 94.9 The Bull. The event once again brought together fans who filled the arena with stuffed animals following the Gladiators’ first goal of the night.

For many of the young patients, the visit offered a welcome break in their day. On Monday, the players handed out teddy bears, posed for photos and spent time talking with kids who were excited to meet them. The interactions were simple but meaningful — a few laughs, a quick conversation about hockey, or a moment to show off a new teddy bear.

Moments like these highlight the connection between the team and the community that supports it throughout the season.

For Cipollone, the visit carried a personal meaning and served as a reminder of why these moments matter.

“I think it means a lot,” Cipollone said. “We get to play hockey, so to be able to give back to the community and see people and interact with the community is really special. I’m from Canada, so I’m a long way from home. I’ve been able to do this before, and it just kind of brings me back to when I was a kid, enjoying life and just having a good time.”

Cipollone said experiences like the hospital visit help put things into perspective for players who spend most of their time focused on the daily routine of practices, travel and games during the season.

The opportunity to step away from the rink and connect with fans — especially young fans facing difficult circumstances — serves as a reminder of how meaningful small gestures can be.

For the Gladiators players, the afternoon was not about hockey statistics or wins and losses. Instead, it was about showing up, spending time with families and offering encouragement in a setting where those moments can make a real difference.

Former Gladiators standout and former head coach Derek Nesbitt, who now serves as the team’s director of community engagement, said events like Monday’s visit remain a key part of the organization’s identity.

Nesbitt has been closely connected to the Teddy Bear Toss tradition throughout his time with the franchise and has seen firsthand how the event has grown into one of the team’s most recognizable community initiatives.

According to Nesbitt, the Teddy Bear Toss has been a cornerstone community event for more than 20 years, bringing fans together for a cause that extends far beyond a single night at the arena.

He said the team hopes to continue building on that tradition through additional outreach opportunities in the future, allowing players to spend more time connecting with families across the Atlanta area.

Community visits like the one at Arthur M. Blank Hospital are just one example of how the organization continues to give back throughout the season.

For the Gladiators, the afternoon served as another reminder that their impact can extend well beyond the ice. While the players are known for their performance during games, moments like Monday’s visit show the role sports can play in lifting spirits and building connections off the rink.

For the children at Arthur M. Blank Hospital, the visit meant an afternoon filled with smiles, encouragement and a few new teddy bears — small gestures that helped create a memorable moment during their hospital stay.

And for the players, it was a chance to give back to the community that continues to support them every season.