Wilkie Outlaws campaigning for Kraft Hockeyville (supplied photo/Helen Urlacher)
gift of the game

Wilkie to host Kraft Hockeyville cheque presentation celebration

Oct 30, 2019 | 1:06 PM

Wilkie is getting set to accept their cheque after finishing in the top four in this year’s Kraft Hockeyville competition.

Hockeyville is an annual competition sponsored by Kraft Heinz, the National Hockey League (NHL), and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA), where communities compete to demonstrate their commitment to ice hockey.

The winning community gets a cash prize dedicated to upgrading their local home arena, as well as the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game. Runners-up receive smaller cash prizes to upgrade their rinks.

On Sunday, Nov. 3, Kraft Hockeyville will present their cheque for $25,000 to the town of Wilkie. The NHLPA will also donate $10,000 towards equipment for minor hockey in the community.

Workers at CP rail supporting Wilkie in Kraft Hockeyville competion (supplied photo/Helen Urlacher)

Helen Urlacher, a campaign organizer for the 2019 Kraft Hockeyville competition, said Kraft recently revealed a secondary donation they are making to the community.

“They are donating ten thousand pounds of Kraft Heinz products to the Wilkie food bank. That is five tonnes of food they are donating and we had no idea, it’s amazing,” she said.

Urlacher said the community is set to receive a few donations from a few well known Saskatchewan residents as well.

“Former North Battleford resident and Dragon’s Den celebrity Brett Wilson is kicking in $25,000 more for upgrades in our rink. We didn’t win but he wanted to help us out anyway. Scott Nelson, originally from Lloydminster, saw Brett Wilson’s post on twitter and he kicked in $25,000 as well,” she said.

There will be a formal presentation of the cheque at the Saskcan Community Centre from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Regina native and former NHL player Mike Silinger will be in attendance for an autograph session and will play a game of Shinny. Everyone is encouraged to bring their helmet, stick and gloves.

“We could not have made it this far without the whole province behind us so anyone and everyone is invited to come and join in the festivities with us,” Urlacher added.

Keaton.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

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