Join the Bruins in the Annual Holiday Toy Shopping Extravaganza

WATERTOWN, Mass. – Professional toy shopping is a skill that Boston Bruins player Brandon Carlo is still perfecting. He may not have it all figured out just yet, but he’s certainly come a long way from roaming toy store aisles as a child.

These days, Carlo’s shopping expeditions are solely focused on finding the perfect toys for his two-year-old daughter, Wren. His expertise in the toy department is currently concentrated on items suited for her specific age group.

“I’m well-versed in the world of toys for two-year-olds because I know exactly what Wren likes at this stage,” said Carlo. “But beyond that, I still struggle. Nevertheless, I enjoy browsing and reminiscing about my own childhood. I spent a lot of time in those toy aisles growing up because my mom took forever to shop.”

“She would give me $20 and send me off to the toy aisle, and I’d have to budget and make decisions. Most of the time, I’d try to convince her to splurge an extra five bucks to get a bigger toy, like a ball or a mini hockey net.”

During the Bruins’ annual holiday toy shopping event at Target, Carlo had the benefit of a list to guide his selections. The event, which began during Ray Bourque’s tenure as captain of the team, has been a tradition for over three decades. Players pick out gifts for children who will be spending the holidays at local hospitals.

“It’s always heartwarming to bring joy to kids who are going through a tough time,” said Bruins captain Brad Marchand, who themed his shopping around Ninja Turtles, inspired by his favorite childhood cartoon. “Being able to help people put a smile on their face, especially during Christmastime, is truly rewarding. As a parent, I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to see your child in that situation.”

“Whenever we have the opportunity to bring a moment of joy to these kids, it’s worth it. If we can make a child forget their troubles for even just a minute, it’s a meaningful gesture. We’re in a position to give back, and that’s something we truly value doing.”