Ermineskin Cree Nation pushes to get out the Hockeyville vote
MASKWAC I S In the words of the Great One, Wayne Gretzky: “Hockey is a unique sport in the sense that you need each and every guy helping each other and pulling in the same direction to be successful.”
But Gretzky’s grand idea also applies off the ice. The members of Ermineskin Cree Nation are hoping to get their community — and the rest of the country — pulling in their direction.
The Maskwacis and Ermineskin’s Neyaskweyahk Arena is a top-10 finalist in the annual Kraft Hockeyville competition, which gives a winning community $100,000 to upgrade its arena. The winner is also given the opportunity to host a pre-season NHL game.
Chief Randy Ermineskin’s proposal said that, if successful, the prize would be used to upgrade the dressing rooms, lighting, seating and lobby area. As a finalist, the community is guaranteed at least $25,000.
“To be selected top 10 is just a tremendous honour,” Ermineskin told a Friday news conference. “The challenge now for everybody is to go out and vote.”
The arena, home to the Maskwacis Minor Hockey Association since 1996, fell into disrepair and was shut down for part of last season. Its closure led to a nearly 10 per cent drop in hockey participation. The association includes more than 250 players on 13 teams.
“We were scrambling like crazy with rescheduling … We were on the road a lot and missing practices,” Ermineskin said. “Winning (Hockeyville) would just be a tremendous boost for us and maybe people who don’t watch hockey will probably come out and get involved more to see what the excitement is about.”
Former NHL prospect Stephen Wagner is also rallying for votes. Wagner began his minor hockey career playing in Maskwacis before being selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round, 159th overall, of the 1996 NHL entry draft.
Wagner said an upgraded arena is desperately needed in the community, which has no other local recreation facility for youth during long Alberta winters.
“I just think of the kids,” he said at the news conference. “With a great facility, the (participation) numbers will get higher. This community does live and breathe hockey.”
The first voting period will run from March 12 to 13 to determine the top two bids. The top two finalists will be announced March 18.