The final buzzer has gone for Kraft Hockeyville 2019. Unfortunately, Wilkie didn’t make the top prize, but as a finalist it will receive $25,000 for arena upgrades and $10,000 in hockey equipment from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.
Saturday evening it was announced that Renous, N.B. has been declared this year’s winner as announced on Hockey Night in Canada.
After rising to the top of a pool of thousands of nominations as a Top 4 finalist on March 16, the community rallied for attention across the country to secure the largest number of votes. The voting period took place from 12:00 p.m. ET on March 29 to 8:30 p.m. ET on March 30, with millions of votes being cast by Canadians eager to see their favourite community rise to the top.
Tom Donovan built the arena over 30 years ago, and since then, it has become a place for community members to gather and connect. Over the past year, Renous lost a young hockey player named Thomas Dunn, and the arena became a place for community members to support each other. This season was delayed by six weeks due to the ice plant breaking and the arena is in need of major repairs, such as upgrading washrooms, dressing rooms and the canteen, which the prize money will help support.
For the past 13 years, Kraft Heinz, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA), continues to capture the spirited stories of our hockey nation. Since its launch Kraft Hockeyville has contributed 3.6 million dollars in funding to 81 communities.
This year, Renous will receive $250,000 for arena upgrades for Tom Donovan Arena, the coveted title of Kraft Hockeyville and the opportunity to host an NHL Pre-Season game (which will be confirmed in the coming weeks). The three finalists will be awarded $25,000 each for arena upgrades, including Rich Valley (AB), Wilkie (SK) and Saint-Polycarpe (QC). Additionally, all Top 4 communities will receive $10,000 in hockey equipment from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.
