Kraft Hockeyville is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The competition has expanded its scope, saying for the first time it will be naming 13 provincial and territorial winners, one from each of the provinces and territories in Canada.
Hockeyville is an annual contest, sponsored by Heinz Kraft, the NHL, and the NHL players’ association. First being held in 2006, communities can nominate their local ice rinks, with the winning community receiving a cash prize to upgrade and improve their arena. They also get the opportunity to host a pre-season NHL game at their local arena. This year the runner up will receive $100,000, and the winners will receive $250,000.
“Hockey isn’t just a game in Canada, it’s part of the community,” said Paul Bissonnette, former NHL player and professional hockey analyst. “Kraft Hockeyville gets that. For 20 years, it’s energized local rinks and gotten people fired up.”
Many communities in the Northwest Territories have already nominated their local rinks. The Multiplex Arena in Yellowknife and the Ray Persson Memorial Arena in Norman Wells have been nominated. You can nominate your own community’s arena or show support to your community at the Kraft Hockeyville website.
