Hockey Paradise Paved for a Parking Lot? Kraft Hockeyville is Back to Help Keep Community Rinks Alive

Beloved program awarding $1 million in prizing to 16 communities across Canada

Victoria Skating Rink, recognized by the International Ice Hockey Foundation in 2002 as the birthplace of organized hockey, is considered by many to be the birthplace of organized hockey, yet its historic site in downtown Montreal has been replaced by a parking lot for decades - until today. This morning a hockey rink will appear on the lot as former NHL defenseman Patrice Brisebois welcomes the public for a free day of skating to celebrate the return of Kraft Hockeyville, and to illustrate the importance of funding and maintaining local rinks in Canada.

A recent survey commissioned by Kraft Canada reveals the majority (91%) of Canadian hockey parents agree their local rink is the social hub of their community, yet two-thirds say these arenas are in need of repairs or upgrades. Over 90 per cent (91%) of those surveyed say their overall community would be negatively impacted if their rink were to close due to disrepair.

"Local rinks are at the heart of Canadian communities but we may run the risk of losing many of these precious centres if they are not repaired or restored for future generations," said Jack Hewitt, Vice President of Marketing Insight & Services, Kraft Canada. "Kraft Hockeyville engages Canadians to preserve the spirit and passion for hockey across the nation, and that passion starts at the home rink."

A hockey legend agrees. "I wouldn't be who I am today without my local rink. Even now, it remains a huge part of my life," said Wendel Clark, hockey legend and Kraft Hockeyville 2014 spokesperson. "Kraft Hockeyville helps people keeps things afloat. It helps towns keep rinks, fix them up and keep them community oriented."

This year there is an even bigger opportunity for Canada's communities to breathe new life into their local rinks through Kraft Hockeyville 2014, in partnership with the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). The program is back and bigger than ever, awarding a total of $1 million in prizing to 16 different communities, including:

• One grand prize of $100,000 in arena upgrades, a broadcast NHL® pre-season game played in the local community
• One prize of $100,000 in arena upgrades
• Two prizes of $50,000 each in arena upgrades for third and fourth place
• Twelve prizes of $25,000 each in arena upgrades

Canadian communities are invited to start preparing their submissions to vie for the title of Kraft Hockeyville 2014 with the nomination period opening January 1, 2014. Submissions will be accepted until February 9, 2014. For contest rules and complete program details, please visit KraftHockeyville.ca. Kraft Hockeyville can also be found on Facebook (Facebook.com/KraftHockeyville) and Twitter (@hockeyville).

Kathy Murphy, [email protected]