THUNDER BAY – There has been another victim of the lockout of professional hockey players, only this time it benefits young hockey players. Kraft Canada is cancelling its 2013 Kraft Hockeyville program and investing in a new program called Kraft Hockey Goes On. The program will award $1 million to Hockey Canada affiliated minor hockey associations across the country.
“Through our many years of involvement in community hockey, we realize there are countless unrecognized hockey volunteers and it’s because of them that our favourite sport goes on,” said Jack Hewitt, Vice President of Marketing Insight & Services, Kraft Canada. “There are over four million volunteers who dedicate themselves to ensure the game is played from coast to coast. This year, we’re celebrating these heroes of the game.”
Kraft Hockey Goes On is celebrating and recognizing local hockey volunteers and providing them with a way to give back within their community. Through the program over $1 million will be given to Hockey Canada affiliated minor hockey associations across the country. Kraft Hockey Goes On will:
- recognize the top 5 volunteers and award his or her local hockey association with $100,000
- recognize an additional 20 volunteers and award his or her local hockey association with $20,000
- provide $100,000 to Hockey Canada to distribute to Learn to Skate programs at the local level.
“There are many things that help set up a game of hockey but the magic of the sport is the people who make it happen,” said Bob Nicholson, President and CEO, Hockey Canada. “It’s the spirit of the Canadian communities that makes this sport so special. You feel it when you catch a game at a local arena. That’s what hockey is about.”
A new survey reveals that 77 percent of Canadians say that local and community hockey could not survive without the efforts of dedicated volunteers in communities across Canada.
Communities can nominate local hockey volunteers by going to www.KraftHockeyGoesOn.ca from January 21, 2013until March 8, 2013. A panel will determine the top 100 individuals. Canadians can vote for their local hockey volunteer starting March 23, 2013. The top 5 winning communities will be announced March 30, 2013.
Starting today, communities can go to www.facebook.com/KraftHockeyGoesOn to find out how they can get involved.
