Nominations open for Kraft Hockeyville

Nominations are now open for Kraft Hockeyville 2021, which is presented by Kraft Heinz Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA).

Kraft Hockeyville has established a 15-year-long legacy of breaking down barriers and encouraging participation in Canada’s beloved sport by upgrading local hockey arenas in need of repair and refurbishing.

Since its inception, Kraft Hockeyville has awarded $3.8 million to 85 communities across the country.

Communities looking to get in on the action should submit their nomination story online at krafthockeyville.ca before Feb. 14 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The 2021 grand-prize winner will have an opportunity to host a National Hockey League pre-season game and receive $250,000 to be used towards necessary arena upgrades, as well as the coveted title of Kraft Hockeyville 2021.

This year’s winner and each of the three-runner up communities will receive $10,000 to purchase new hockey equipment for their minor hockey programs, courtesy of the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.

P.E.I. communities have enjoyed success with Kraft Hockeyville. O’Leary was named the winner of Kraft Hockeyville 2017, and Tyne Valley was a runner-up and received $25,000 in 2020.

In 2014, Bedeque was named one of 16 finalists and received $25,000 for arena upgrades.

“For many communities, hockey is more than a sport and being crowned the Kraft Hockeyville champion is more than a title,” said Matt Bruce, senior brand manager, Kraft Heinz Canada. “It represents a passion, a way to connect and feel like their community is part of something bigger.

“We love seeing that excitement comes through every year in the nomination stories, the local and now virtual rallies and the NHL pre-season game.”

Bruce described the Kraft Hockeyville legacy as “a powerful tool to ignite community spirit”.