View source for Kraft Hockeyville

{{short description|Community competition in ice hockey}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Hockeyville|Hockeytown}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox television
| image       = KraftHockeyville.png
| caption     = Kraft Hockeyville logo
| country     = Canada (2006-present) <br /> United States (2015-2020)
| language    = English
| creator     = Tony Chapman <br /> Fred Nicolaidis <br /> Pamela McNair <br /> Harry Doupe <br /> Jack Hewitt
| num_seasons = 13
| runtime     = 44 minutes (2006) <br /> 5 minutes (2007–present)
| network     = [[CBC Television]]/[[Sportsnet]] (Canada, 2006–present) <br /> [[NBC]]/[[NBCSN]] (United States, 2015–2020)
| first_aired = {{start date|2006}}
| last_aired  = present
}}

'''''Kraft Hockeyville''''' is an annual competition sponsored by [[Kraft Heinz]], the [[National Hockey League]] and the [[NHL Players' Association]] in which communities compete to demonstrate their commitment to the sport of [[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 also get smaller cash prizes to upgrade their ice rinks. The contest is normally held in the winter and spring during the latter half of the NHL regular season, with the pre-season game usually held in September before the following regular season. If the winning arena is not adequately equipped to host the pre-season game, it is then played at an alternative site nearby.

The idea and theme was developed by Capital C, a Canadian Advertising Agency that was founded by Tony Chapman. The contest itself was developed by Fred Nicolaidis, Pamela McNair, Harry Doupe of the CBC and Jack Hewitt of Kraft Canada. The competition was first held across Canada in 2006 as a [[reality television]] series aired by [[CBC Television]], but since 2007, it has been relegated to segments aired during CBC's ''[[Hockey Night in Canada]]''. Kraft expanded the event in 2015 to the United States, with segments of the US contest airing on the ''[[NHL on NBC]]'' until 2020.

The Kraft Hockeyville games are televised regionally, in their respective countries on national basis.  From 2006 to 2014, the Canadian game was broadcast across Canada on CBC, while [[Sportsnet]] took over airing it in 2015. The United States game was televised nationally in the U.S. on [[NBCSN]] from 2015 to 2019.

==Rules==
Communities are invited to submit their nominations. The application form also requires a short essay, and photographs or a video, depicting the community's hometown pride and passion for the game of hockey. A judging panel then selects four finalists. The winner is then determined by a public vote.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kraft.promo.eprize.com/hockeyville2018/public/share/fulfillment/rules_ca.pdf | title=Karft Hockeyville Canada rules | access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://kraft.promo.eprize.com/hockeyville2018/public/share/fulfillment/rules.pdf | title=Karft Hockeyville USA rules | access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref>

==History==
===2006 season===
The inaugural 2006 season of ''Hockeyville'' featured finalists [[Smithers, British Columbia]], [[Falher, Alberta|Falher]] and [[Airdrie, Alberta]], Barry's Bay, Ontario, and as its very first champion, the community of [[Salmon River, Colchester County (community)|Salmon River]], [[Nova Scotia]]. Salmon River's entry, the "Deuvilles Rink", beat 450 other entries from across Canada. The initial four episodes for the 2006 season were shot at the Memorial Centre in [[Kingston, Ontario]], with the final three episodes shot in [[Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena & Skating Centre]] in [[Hamilton, Ontario]].

The NHL exhibition game was held September 25 at the [[Colchester Legion Stadium]] in the neighbouring town of [[Truro, Nova Scotia|Truro]] (the Deuville Rink being too small); the [[Montreal Canadiens]] beat the [[Ottawa Senators]] 7–3.

*The Deuville rink was awarded the C$50,000 Home Depot gift card prize and with the cards the roof was reshingled, new rink lights were installed, ceiling insulated and a heated section was installed at the end of the arena.

===2007 season===
The 2007 season of ''Hockeyville'' began on March 4 and was changed significantly from the previous season's format. Organizers made the application process more accessible. Communities could now enter by logging on to the website, creating a team name, filling out an application form, submitting a short essay and including three photographs which depict hometown pride and passion for the game of hockey. A video, which was a requirement in previous contests, is no longer part of the process.

In 2007 the series was no longer given its own time slot, but rather shown during broadcasts of [[Hockey Night in Canada]].

The Top 10 communities resulting from the first round were [[Cornwall, Ontario]]; [[Nanaimo|Nanaimo, British Columbia]]; [[French River, Ontario|Noëlville, Ontario]]; [[North Bay, Ontario]]; [[Plaster Rock, New Brunswick]]; [[Rockyford, Alberta]]; [[Saint-Hubert, Quebec]]; [[Smithers, British Columbia]]; [[Vernon, British Columbia]] and [[Warner, Alberta]].

The Top 5 communities resulting from the second round were Cornwall, Noëlville, North Bay, Smithers and Warner.

North Bay was the winner. The [[Atlanta Thrashers]] beat the [[New York Islanders]] 4–3 in overtime.

===2008 season===
The 2008 season of ''Kraft Hockeyville'' began February 23.

The top 10 communities that were in the running for Kraft Hockeyville 2008 were:
* '''East''': [[Channel-Port aux Basques|Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador]] vs. [[Rothesay, New Brunswick]]
* '''West''': [[Wilcox, Saskatchewan]] vs. [[Redwater, Alberta]]
* '''Quebec''': [[Rouyn-Noranda]] vs. Village sur Glace de [[Roberval, Quebec|Roberval]]
* '''Ontario''': [[Huntsville, Ontario|Huntsville]] vs. [[Kingsville, Ontario|Kingsville]]
* '''Wildcard''': [[Winnipegosis, Manitoba]] vs. [[Pilot Mound, Manitoba]]

The top 5 communities were:
*'''Week 1:''' Village sur Glace de [[Roberval, Quebec|Roberval]] (Quebec Region)
*'''Week 2:''' [[Channel – Port aux Basques|Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador]] (Atlantic Region)
*'''Week 3:''' [[Kingsville, Ontario]] (Ontario Region)
*'''Week 4:''' [[Wilcox, Saskatchewan]] (Western Region)
*'''Week 5:''' [[Pilot Mound, Manitoba]] (Wildcard)

On April 8, 2008, Roberval won the title of Kraft Hockeyville 2008. Roberval won:
* C$100,000 towards upgrades to the Roberval Arena
* An NHL pre-season game at the Roberval Arena on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, in which the [[Montreal Canadiens]] defeated the [[Buffalo Sabres]] 3–2.
* A ''[[Hockey Night in Canada]]'' broadcast from Roberval

The pre-season game has been taped and shown on a ''Hockeyville'' special Saturday, September 27.<ref>[http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2008/09/c3802.html CNW Group | NEWS - MEDIA | Roberval, Quebec wins KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE 2008<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The 4 remaining communities from the Top 5 won:
* C$20,000 to be used for upgrades to the Home Arena that the community endorses
* A ''[[Hockey Night in Canada]]'' broadcast from each of the remaining top five communities

===2009 season===
The 2009 edition had these cities as the five regional finalists:
*'''Atlantic:''' [[Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador]]
*'''Quebec:''' [[Thetford Mines|Thetford Mines, Quebec]]
*'''Ontario:''' [[Woolwich, Ontario|Woolwich Township, Ontario]]
*'''Western:''' [[Terrace, British Columbia]]
*'''Wildcard:''' [[Humboldt, Saskatchewan]]

The winner, announced on March 7 during the [[Hockey Night in Canada]] broadcast, was Terrace, British Columbia. Terrace played host to the [[Vancouver Canucks]] and the [[New York Islanders]] on Monday, September 14, in which the Canucks defeated the Islanders by a score of 2–1. The game was broadcast live on [[NHL Network (United States)|NHL Network]] in the US, and highlights were televised during a one-hour Kraft Hockeyville broadcast showcasing their community on CBC Television. Terrace also received C$100,000 towards arena upgrades from Kraft Canada.

===2010 season===
The five finalists for the 2010 edition of ''Hockeyville''
*'''Atlantic:''' [[Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador]]
*'''Quebec:''' [[Stanstead, Quebec]]
*'''Ontario:''' [[Dundas, Ontario]]
*'''Western:''' [[Cranbrook, British Columbia]]
*'''Wildcard:''' [[Lawrencetown, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia|Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia]]

Dundas, Ontario was announced as the winner by [[Gary Bettman]] on April 3, 2010, during the [[Hockey Night in Canada]] broadcast with 1,066,855 votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thespec.com/News/article/747618|title=Dundas: Canada's Hockeyville|date=2010-04-04|publisher=TheSpec.com|access-date=2010-06-09}}</ref> The game featured division rivals [[Buffalo Sabres]] and [[Ottawa Senators]] playing in Dundas's J. L. Grightmire Arena on September 28, 2010, with Buffalo winning 2–1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=538905|title = Second time around for many Sabres, Senators}}</ref> (Incidentally, Dundas has been, since 2000, within the boundaries of the city of [[Hamilton, Ontario]], a frequent target of efforts regarding [[potential National Hockey League expansion]].)

===2011 season===
In 2011, the wildcard was eliminated and the West and Pacific divisions were split from each other.

The top 5 communities were:
* '''Pacific''': [[Mackenzie, British Columbia]]
* '''West''': [[Bentley, Alberta]]
* '''Ontario''': [[Wolfe Island (Ontario)|Wolfe Island]]
* '''Quebec''': [[Saint-Raymond, Quebec|Saint-Raymond]]
* '''Atlantic''': [[Conception Bay South]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]

Conception Bay South, NL, was declared the winner of Kraft Hockeyville 2011 on April 2, 2011. The town's arena received C$100,000 worth of renovations, and also was to host a pre-season game between the [[Ottawa Senators]] and the [[Atlanta Thrashers]] on September 26, 2011. However, with the purchase of the Thrashers and their re-location to Winnipeg as a revival of the [[Winnipeg Jets]], the game was instead played between the Senators and Jets. Additionally, the game was re-located to the [[Mile One Centre]] in [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's]], 30&nbsp;km north of Conception Bay South, which was the home arena of their newly relocated [[American Hockey League]] affiliate, the [[St. John's IceCaps]] (formerly the [[Manitoba Moose]]). The Jets defeated the Senators, 3–1; the game would also technically serve as the first IceCaps-related game, as many of the Jets players in the game were assigned to the team shortly thereafter.<ref name=gm89>{{cite news |url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/nhl-set-to-play-preseason-games-all-over-world/article2124179/ |title = NHL set to play preseason games all over world |work = The Globe and Mail |location = Toronto  |access-date =  August 15, 2011 }}</ref>

Each of the other 4 finalists received C$25,000 in arena upgrades from Kraft.

===2012 season (Game played in 2013 season)===
[[Stirling-Rawdon]], [[Ontario]] was the winner of the 2012 Kraft Hockeyville contest. The planned game between the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] and the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] on October 3<ref name="NHL.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=625275 | title=Stirling-Rawdon crowned Kraft Hockeyville | publisher=National Hockey League | date=March 31, 2012 | access-date=May 2, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Leafs announce 2012-13 schedule">{{cite news | url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/21/leafs-announced-2012-13-schedule | title=Leafs announce 2012-13 schedule | newspaper=Toronto Sun | date=June 21, 2012 | access-date=May 3, 2015}}</ref> was eventually cancelled due to the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]], but other festivities continued as scheduled. An NHL alumni charity game was held in the town instead, with one of the participants being Stirling native [[Rob Ray]].  No contest was held in 2013 due to the lockout.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/calgary-flames/Kraft+cancels+Hockeyville+program+lockout/7583826/story.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121128093137/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/calgary-flames/Kraft+cancels+Hockeyville+program+lockout/7583826/story.html| archive-date = 2012-11-28| title = Another NHL lockout casualty: Kraft cancels Hockeyville, gives $1M to minor hockey}}</ref> A makeup game for the market was held in [[Belleville, Ontario]] on 2013 between the [[Washington Capitals]] and the [[Winnipeg Jets]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/capitals-watch/2013/jun/27/capitals-face-blackhawks-bruins-twice-each-preseas/ |title=Capitals to face Blackhawks, Bruins twice each in preseason - Washington Times |website=www.washingtontimes.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709084338/http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/capitals-watch/2013/jun/27/capitals-face-blackhawks-bruins-twice-each-preseas/ |archive-date=2013-07-09}}</ref>

===2014 season===
The Top 16 towns for the Kraft Hockeyville contest were announced on Saturday, March 8. This year's contest has a theme much like the NHL itself: East VS West. This means there are 8 towns chosen from Eastern Canada and 8 towns from Western Canada.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/hockeyville-top-16-communites-announced-1.2565151| title = Hockeyville Top 16 communites &#91;sic&#93; announced {{!}} CBC Sports}}</ref>

From Eastern Canada:
* '''Richmond, ON'''
* '''Prescott, ON'''
* '''Beeton, ON'''
* '''Exeter, ON'''
* '''Chicoutimi, QC'''
* '''Kingston, NS'''
* '''Amherst, NS'''
* '''Central Bedeque, PEI'''
From Western Canada:
* '''Salmon Arm, BC'''
* '''Kimberly, BC'''
* '''Osoyoos, BC'''
* '''Bruderheim, AB'''
* '''St. Albert, AB'''
* '''Sylvan Lake, AB'''
* '''Swift Current, SK'''
* '''Arborg, MB'''
This year, the top 16 towns are guaranteed C$25,000 in upgrades to their arenas instead of the top 5. Then the top 4 (two from the East and two from the West) received at least C$50,000. The winner receives the usual prize of C$100,000, an NHL pre-season game hosted in their community, and a visit from CBC's ''Hockey Night in Canada''. Voting for the top 16 ended on Monday, March 10.<ref>http://krafthockeyville.cbc.ca/</ref> Sylvan Lake won the competition on April 7, and hosted a pre-season game between the [[Arizona Coyotes]] and the [[Calgary Flames]] on September 24.

===2015 season===
For the 2015 season, ''Kraft Hockeyville USA'', for the first time, drew candidates from the [[United States]]. The US finalist in the east was the [[Cambria County War Memorial Arena]] in [[Johnstown, Pennsylvania]], while the finalist in the west was the Decatur Civic Center in [[Decatur, Illinois]]. Johnstown was named the winner on May 2, received US$150,000 for arena upgrades, and hosted the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] and the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=766175 | title=Johnstown, PA wins title of first-ever 'Kraft Hockeyville USA' | publisher=National Hockey League | date=May 2, 2015 | access-date=May 2, 2015}}</ref> The game was televised in the United States on [[NBCSN]].

The Canadian Kraft Hockeyville finalist in the east was the [[Chatham Memorial Arena]] in [[Chatham, Ontario]], and the finalist in the west was the Panorama Recreation Center Hockey Arena in [[North Saanich, British Columbia]]. North Saanich was named the winner on April 5, and received C$100,000 in upgrades.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=761490 | title=North Saanich, B.C. named Kraft Hockeyville 2015 | publisher=National Hockey League | date=April 5, 2015 | access-date=May 2, 2015}}</ref> Because the Panorama Recreation Center Hockey Arena had a limited capacity of only 500, the pre-season game featuring the [[San Jose Sharks]] and the [[Vancouver Canucks]] was instead played at [[The Q Centre]] in nearby [[Colwood, British Columbia|Colwood]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/north-saanich-s-kraft-hockeyville-game-headed-to-the-q-centre-1.1980990 | title=North Saanich's Kraft Hockeyville game headed to The Q Centre | work=Times Colonist | date=June 25, 2015 | access-date=September 20, 2015}}</ref> For the first time, the Hockeyville game was broadcast in Canada on [[Sportsnet]] instead of CBC.

===2016 season===
The Canadian Kraft Hockeyville finalist in the east was the Aréna St-Isidore in [[Saint-Isidore, Chaudière-Appalaches, Quebec]], and the finalist in the west was the Pat Duke Memorial Arena in [[Lumby, British Columbia]]. Lumby was named the winner on April 2, and received C$100,000 in upgrades.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/lumby-is-kraft-hockeyville/c-280085766 | title=Kraft Hockeyville chooses Lumby, British Columbia | publisher=National Hockey League | date=April 3, 2016 | access-date=April 3, 2016}}</ref> Because the Pat Duke Memorial Arena had a limited seating capacity, the pre-season game featuring the [[Los Angeles Kings]] and the [[Edmonton Oilers]] on October 2 was instead played at [[Kal Tire Place]] in nearby [[Vernon, British Columbia|Vernon]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/388320701.html | title=Kal Tire Place will host Kraft Hockeyville NHL pre-season game Oct. 2| work=Vernon Morning Star | date=July 26, 2016 | access-date=July 30, 2016}}</ref>

The Kraft Hockeyville USA finalist in the east was the [[Lakeview Arena]] in [[Marquette, Michigan]], and the finalist in the west was the Rushmore Thunderdome in [[Rapid City, South Dakota]]. Marquette was named the winner on April 30, received US$150,000 in upgrades, and hosted the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] and the [[Buffalo Sabres]] on October 4.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/hockeyville-usa-2016-winner-is-marquette-mich/c-280524324 | title=Marquette, Mich., wins Kraft Hockeyville USA 2016 | publisher=National Hockey League | date=April 30, 2016 | access-date=April 30, 2016}}</ref>

===2017 season===
The Canadian Kraft Hockeyville finalist in the east was the O'Leary Community Sports Centre in [[O'Leary, Prince Edward Island]], and the finalist in the west was the Ituna Skating Rink in [[Ituna, Saskatchewan]]. O'Leary was named the winner on April 2, 2017, and received C$100,000 in arena upgrades. Citing transportation and other issues with the O'Leary Community Sports Centre, the pre-season game between the [[New Jersey Devils]] and the [[Ottawa Senators]] on September 25, 2017, was instead played at the [[Consolidated Credit Union Place]] in nearby [[Summerside, Prince Edward Island|Summerside]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-hockeyville-summerside-1.4166955 | title=Kraft Hockeyville game to be played in Summerside| publisher=CBC News | date=June 19, 2017 | access-date=September 25, 2017}}</ref>

The Kraft Hockeyville USA finalist in the east was the [[Rostraver Ice Garden]] in [[Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania]], and the finalist in the west was the Bloomington Ice Garden in [[Bloomington, Minnesota]]. Belle Vernon was named the winner on April 29, 2017, and received US$150,000 in arena upgrades. Because the Rostraver Ice Garden (despite being large by community arena standards and having hosted professional sports in the preceding decade) was deemed not fit to host a pre-season game, the contest between the [[St. Louis Blues]] and the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] on September 24, 2017, was instead played the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in [[Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania|Cranberry, Butler County]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Matt|last2=Peirce|first2=Paul|title=Rostraver Ice Garden deemed unfit to host Penguins preseason game|url=http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/12577553-74/rostraver-ice-garden-deemed-unfit-to-host-penguins-preseason-game|website=Trib Live|access-date=August 4, 2017|date=August 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Benderev|first1=Chris|title=Western Pa. Ice Rink Must Forgo Honor Of Hosting NHL Preseason Game|url=http://whqr.org/post/western-pa-ice-rink-must-forgo-honor-hosting-nhl-preseason-game|publisher=WHQR|access-date=August 4, 2017|date=August 3, 2017}}</ref>

===2018 season===
For 2018, the East vs. West theme that began in 2014 was discontinued. Instead in each contest, four finalists were selected from the pool of nominations to compete in the final round of voting.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.krafthockeyville.ca/#how_it_works | title=Kraft Hockeyville Canada: How It Works | access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.krafthockeyville.com/#how_it_works | title=Kraft Hockeyville USA: How It Works | access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref>

The four Canadian finalists were [[High River, Alberta]], [[Huntingdon, Quebec]], [[Lafleche, Saskatchewan]], and [[Lucan Biddulph|Lucan, Ontario]]. Lucan was named the Canadian winner on March 31, 2018, and awarded a prize of C$250,000 to upgrade [[Lucan Community Memorial Centre]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/lucan-kraft-hockeyville-1.4601495 | title=Lucan wins! Kraft Hockeyville is coming to town | publisher=CBC News |  date=April 1, 2018}}</ref> The pre-season game in Lucan was played between the [[Ottawa Senators]] and the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] on September 18.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-senators-play-kraft-hockeyville-2018/ | title=Maple Leafs and Senators to play at Kraft Hockeyville 2018 | work=Sportsnet | date=April 19, 2018}}</ref>

The four USA finalists were [[Brandon, South Dakota]], [[Clinton, Oneida County, New York|Clinton, New York]], [[Middlebury, Vermont]], and [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]. Clinton was named the USA winner on April 14, 2018, and awarded a prize of US$150,000 to upgrade [[Clinton Arena]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/clinton-ny-kraft-hockeyville-usa-2018/c-297994172 | title=Clinton, N.Y., named Kraft Hockeyville USA 2018 | publisher=National Hockey League |  date=April 14, 2018}}</ref> The pre-season game in Clinton was between the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] and the [[Buffalo Sabres]] on September 25.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-columbus-set-for-hockeyville-game-in-clinton-ny/c-298677594?tid=280033638 | title=Sabres, Blue Jackets to play in Kraft Hockeyville USA game | publisher=National Hockey League | date=May 18, 2018}}</ref>

===2019 season===
The four Canadian finalists were [[Renous, New Brunswick]], [[Rich Valley, Alberta]], [[Saint-Polycarpe, Quebec]], and [[Wilkie, Saskatchewan]]. Renous was named the Canadian winner on March 30, and awarded a prize of C$250,000 to upgrade Tom Donovan Arena.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hockeyville win 'overwhelming' for small N.B. town |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/renous-nb-2019-hockeyville-1.5078805 |access-date=April 8, 2019 |work=CBC News |date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> As Tom Donovan Arena was judged too small to host an NHL game, [[K. C. Irving Regional Centre]] in [[Bathurst, New Brunswick]] instead hosted the [[Florida Panthers]] and the [[Montreal Canadiens]] on September 18.<ref name="CA2019">{{cite press release | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/montreal-florida-will-meet-in-2019-hockeyville-canada/c-306841300 | title=Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers to Face Off at 2019 Kraft Hockeyville Canada on September 18 | publisher=National Hockey League | date=April 17, 2019 | access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Bathurst">{{cite news | url=https://959sunfm.com/2019/07/18/renous-kraft-hockeyville-game-will-be-played-in-bathurst/ | title=Renous Kraft Hockeyville game will be played in Bathurst | publisher=[[CHHI-FM|CHHI-FM (95.9 Sun FM)]] | access-date=August 5, 2019}}</ref>

The four USA finalists were [[Cadillac, Michigan]], [[Calumet, Michigan]], [[Eagle River, Wisconsin]], and [[Sartell, Minnesota]]. Calumet was named the USA winner on March 31, and awarded a prize of US$150,000 to upgrade the [[Calumet Colosseum]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Calumet Colosseum named Hockeyville USA winner |url=https://mihockey.com/2019/03/calumet-colosseum-named-hockeyville-usa-winner/ |access-date=April 1, 2019 |work=MiHockey |date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> The Colosseum hosted the [[St. Louis Blues]] and the [[Detroit Red Wings]] on September 26.<ref name="USA2019">{{cite press release | url=https://www.nhl.com/news/detroit-st-louis-to-play-in-kraft-hockeyville-usa-game/c-306814368 | title=Red Wings, Blues to play in Kraft Hockeyville USA game | publisher=National Hockey League | date=April 16, 2019 | access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref>

===2020 season===
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the announcements of the four finalists for each contest were delayed until August. The four Canadian finalists were announced on August 2: [[Pense, Saskatchewan]]; [[Saint-Félicien, Quebec]]; [[Tyne Valley, Prince Edward Island]]; and [[Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador]]. Online voting was from August 14 to August 15.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kraft Hockeyville Canada announces Top 4 communities|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kraft-hockeyville-canada-announces-top-4-communities/c-317793704|website=NHL|date=August 2, 2020}}</ref> Twillingate was announced as the winner on the ''Hockey Night in Canada'' broadcast on August 15, and was awarded a prize of C$250,000 to upgrade George Hawkins Memorial Arena.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador wins Hockeyville Canada|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/hockeyville-canada-won-by-twillingate-newfoundland-and-labrador/c-318533168|website=NHL|date=August 15, 2020}}</ref>

The four USA finalists were announced on August 16: [[East Grand Forks, Minnesota]]; [[El Paso, Texas]]; [[Wichita, Kansas]]; and [[River Falls, Wisconsin]]. Online voting was from August 29 to August 30.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kraft Hockeyville USA top four finalists announced|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kraft-hockeyville-usa-top-four-finalists-announced/c-318539156|website=NHL|date=August 16, 2020}}</ref> El Paso was announced as the winner on the ''NHL on NBC'' broadcast on August 30, and was awarded a prize of US$150,000 to upgrade [[El Paso County Coliseum]].<ref>{{cite web|title=El Paso, Texas wins Hockeyville USA|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kraft-heinz-hockeyville-usa-el-paso-county-coliseum/c-318807856|website=NHL|date=August 15, 2020}}</ref>

Games held at both El Paso and Twillingate were postponed, as the NHL canceled the entire 2020 pre-season due to the pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL announces plans for 56-game season: Here are the key dates|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2020/12/20/nhl-announces-details-after-56-game-season-approved/3984946001/|website=USA Today|date=December 22, 2020}}</ref> The makeup game for El Paso was rescheduled for October 3, 2021, between the [[Arizona Coyotes]] and the [[Dallas Stars]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL preseason game between Dallas Stars and Arizona Coyotes to play in El Paso |url=https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/nhl-nhlpa-game-between-dallas-starts-and-arizona-coyotes-to-play-in-el-paso|website=KFOX-TV|date=September 15, 2021}}</ref> It was not televised nationally in the U.S., as [[NHL on ESPN|ESPN]] and [[NHL on TNT|TNT]] replaced NBC as the league's U.S. national broadcasters prior to the start of the 2021–22 season, and neither of the two committed to airing the game on a Sunday night. Instead, the contest was streamed on nhl.com.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars NHL game in El Paso won't be on TV. Here's how to watch|url=https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/sports/2021/09/30/el-paso-nhl-arizona-coyotes-dallas-stars-game-stream-hockeyville/5933970001/|website=El Paso Times|date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

The makeup game for Twillingate was played on October 6, 2022, at the [[Steele Community Centre]] in [[Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador]] between the [[Ottawa Senators]] and the [[Montreal Canadiens]].<ref name="2020-21 makeups">{{Cite web |title=Kraft Hockeyville 2020 and 2021 to feature Canadiens and Senators |url=https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-22331/kraft-hockeyville-2020-and-2021-to-feature-canadiens-and-senators |date=June 20, 2022|website=National Hockey League Players' Association}}</ref> The game was only televised on French-language broadcaster [[TVA Sports]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Newfoundland ready to finally celebrate Hockeyville win|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/hockeyville-game-set-to-take-place-in-newfoundland-after-postponement/c-336065902|website=NHL|date=October 4, 2022}}</ref>

===2021 season===
Only the Canadian contest ran in 2021; in the United States, the previous year's unplayed matchup was made up in lieu of a new contest. The four Canadian finalists were announced on March 20, 2021: [[Bobcaygeon|Bobcaygeon, Ontario]]; [[Elsipogtog First Nation|Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick]]; [[Lumsden, Saskatchewan]]; and [[St. Adolphe, Manitoba]]. Online voting was from April 9 to April 10,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kraft Hockeyville Canada announces Top 4 communities (2021)|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kraft-hockeyville-canada-top-four-finalists/c-322735246|website=NHL|date=March 20, 2021}}</ref> with Elsipogtog being announced as the winner on the April 10 ''Hockey Night in Canada'' broadcast. The prize of C$250,000 was used to help finance repairs to the Chief Young Eagle Arena, which was damaged by a fire in September 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hockeyville win gives Elsipogtog reason to celebrate after week of grief|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/elsipogtog-hockey-arena-money-1.5983413|website=CBC|date=April 11, 2021}}</ref> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the area, the makeup game for Elsipogtog was played on October 8, 2022, at the J.K. Irving Centre in [[Bouctouche|Bouctouche, New Brunswick]] between the [[Montreal Canadiens]] and the [[Ottawa Senators]].<ref name="2020-21 makeups"/> The game was only televised on French-language broadcaster [[TVA Sports]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Elsipogtog First Nation ready to experience Hockeyville, NHL atmosphere|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/elsipogtog-first-nation-ready-for-hockeyville/c-336160462|website=NHL|date=October 7, 2022}}</ref>

===2022 season===
Only the Canadian contest ran in 2022, as Kraft Heinz USA declined to renew its part of the sponsorship with the league.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} The four Canadian finalists were announced on April 23, 2022: [[Princeton, British Columbia]], [[Douro-Dummer, Ontario]], [[Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec]], and [[Sydney, Nova Scotia]]. Online voting was from May 6 to May 7,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kraft Hockeyville Canada announces Top 4 communities (2022)|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kraft-hockeyville-canada-finalists-named/c-333298156|website=NHL|date=April 23, 2022}}</ref> with Sydney being announced as the winner. The prize of C$250,000 will help upgrade the [[Cape Breton University]] Canada Games Complex,<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney, Nova Scotia, wins Kraft Hockeyville 2022 title|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sydney-nova-scotia-winner-of-kraft-hockeyville-canada-2022/c-333868916|website=NHL|date=May 7, 2022}}</ref> which has not been used for hockey in at least over two years since the [[CBU Capers]] do not have a hockey team. Supporters used the contest to help raise funds for the arena so it would become a permanent home for local female hockey associations.<ref>{{cite web|title='We want to be Kraft Hockeyville': Cape Breton female hockey programs making final push as voting opens Friday|url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/sports/we-want-to-be-kraft-hockeyville-cape-breton-female-hockey-programs-making-final-push-as-voting-opens-friday-100729603/|website=saltwire.com|date=May 5, 2022|access-date=May 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cape Breton rink could become a hub for women's hockey|url=https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/cape-breton-rink-could-become-a-hub-for-women-s-hockey-1.5847894|website=atlantic.ctvnews.ca|publisher=CTV News|date=April 4, 2022|access-date=May 8, 2022}}</ref>

==List of winners/pre-season games==

{{small|Bolded teams denote winners}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;text-align: center;"
|-
! Date
! Winning site<ref name="NHL Records">{{cite web | url=https://records.nhl.com/events/hockeyville | department=NHL Records |title = Hockeyville | website=National Hockey League | access-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.krafthockeyville.ca/#legacy | title=Kraft Hockeyville Canada Legacy | publisher=Kraft Hockeyville Canada | access-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.krafthockeyville.com/#legacy | title=Kraft Hockeyville USA Legacy | publisher=Kraft Hockeyville USA | access-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref><br />(if applicable, alternative pre-season game site in parentheses)
! Away Team
! Home Team
! Score
! Recap
|-
| September 25, 2006 
| Deuvilles Rink, [[Salmon River, Colchester County (community)|Salmon River, Nova Scotia]]<br />([[Colchester Legion Stadium]],  [[Truro, Nova Scotia]]){{efn|Deuvilles Rink was too small to host an NHL game. The pre-season match was moved to Truro.}}
| '''[[Montreal Canadiens]]'''
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| 7–3
|  [http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=260925014 Recap]
|-
| September 17, 2007
| [[North Bay Memorial Gardens]], [[North Bay, Ontario]]
| '''[[Winnipeg Jets|Atlanta Thrashers]]'''
| [[New York Islanders]]
| 4–3 (OT)
|  [http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2007010012 Recap]
|-
| September 23, 2008
| Benoit-Levesque Arena, [[Roberval, Quebec]]
| [[Buffalo Sabres]]
| '''[[Montreal Canadiens]]'''
| 2–3
| [http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2008010017 Recap]
|-
| September 14, 2009
| Terrace Sportsplex, [[Terrace, British Columbia]]
| [[New York Islanders]]
| '''[[Vancouver Canucks]]'''
| 1–2
|  [http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2009010001 Recap]
|-
| September 28, 2010
| J. L. Grightmire Arena, [[Dundas, Ontario]]
| '''[[Buffalo Sabres]]'''
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| 2–1
|  [http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2010010057 Recap]
|-
| September 26, 2011
| Robert French Memorial Stadium, [[Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador]]<br />([[Mile One Centre]],  [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador]]){{efn|Robert French Memorial Stadium was initially slated to host the game. However, it was moved to St. John's in recognition of the Winnipeg Jets' then-new affiliated minor league team, the [[St. John's IceCaps]].}}
| '''[[Winnipeg Jets]]'''
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| 3–1
|[http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2011010063 Recap]
|-
| September 14, 2013
| Stirling Arena, [[Stirling-Rawdon, Ontario]]<ref name="NHL.com"/><ref name="Leafs announce 2012-13 schedule"/> <br /> ([[Yardmen Arena]], [[Belleville, Ontario]]){{efn|The game was originally scheduled October 3, 2012, between the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] and [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] at Stirling Arena. Due to the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]], the entire preseason was cancelled, as well as the ensuing Kraft Hockeyville contest for the next season.  The 2013-14 season Hockeyville game is a makeup game for the Stirling-Rawdon/Belleville area.}}
| '''[[Washington Capitals]]'''
| [[Winnipeg Jets]]
| 4–3 (SO)
| colspan="2" | [http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2013010001 Recap]
|-
| September 24, 2014
| Sylvan Lake Arena, [[Sylvan Lake, Alberta]]
| [[Arizona Coyotes]]
| '''[[Calgary Flames]]'''
| 3–4 (OT)
|[http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014010027 Recap]
|-
| September 21, 2015
| Panorama Recreation Center Hockey Arena, [[North Saanich, British Columbia]]<br />([[The Q Centre]], [[Colwood, British Columbia]]){{efn|Panorama Recreation Center was too small to host an NHL game. The pre-season match was moved to Colwood.}}
| [[San Jose Sharks]]
| '''[[Vancouver Canucks]]'''
| 0–1 (OT)
| [http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2015010014 Recap]
|-
| September 29, 2015
| [[Cambria County War Memorial Arena]], [[Johnstown, Pennsylvania]]
| [[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
| '''[[Pittsburgh Penguins]]'''
| 2–4
| [http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2015010075 Recap]
|-
| October 2, 2016
| Pat Duke Memorial Arena, [[Lumby, British Columbia]]<br />([[Kal Tire Place]], [[Vernon, British Columbia]]){{efn|Pat Duke Memorial Arena was too small to host an NHL game. The pre-season match was moved to Vernon.}}
| [[Los Angeles Kings]]
| '''[[Edmonton Oilers]]'''
| 2–3
| [https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/lak-vs-edm/2016/10/02/2016010059 Recap]
|-
| October 4, 2016
| [[Lakeview Arena]], [[Marquette, Michigan]]
| [[Carolina Hurricanes]]
| '''[[Buffalo Sabres]]'''
| 0–2
|[https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/car-vs-buf/2016/10/04/2016010069 Recap]
|-
| September 24, 2017
| [[Rostraver Ice Garden]], [[Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania]]<br />(UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, [[Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania|Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania]]){{efn|Rostraver Ice Garden was not adequately equipped to host an NHL game. The pre-season match was moved to Cranberry Township.}}
| '''[[St. Louis Blues]]'''
| [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]
| 4–1
| [https://www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-pittsburgh-penguins-preseason-recap/c-291324906 Recap]
|-
| September 25, 2017
| O'Leary Community Sports Center, [[O'Leary, Prince Edward Island]]<br />([[Consolidated Credit Union Place]], [[Summerside, Prince Edward Island]]){{efn|The pre-season match was moved to Summerside due to transportation issues.}}
| '''[[New Jersey Devils]]'''
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| 8–1
| [https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-youth-puts-on-a-show-in-win-against-ottawa-senators/c-291349940?tid=280033540 Recap]
|-
| September 18, 2018
| [[Lucan Community Memorial Centre]], [[Lucan Biddulph|Lucan, Ontario]]
| [[Ottawa Senators]]
| '''[[Toronto Maple Leafs]]'''
| 1–4
| [https://www.nhl.com/news/ottawa-senators-toronto-maple-leafs-preseason-recap/c-300229520 Recap]
|-
| September 25, 2018
| [[Clinton Arena]], [[Clinton, Oneida County, New York|Clinton, New York]]
| '''[[Columbus Blue Jackets]]'''
| [[Buffalo Sabres]]
| 4–2
| [https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-buffalo-sabres-preseason-game-recap/c-300403264 Recap]
|-
| September 18, 2019
| Tom Donovan Arena, [[Renous, New Brunswick]]<br />([[K. C. Irving Regional Centre]], [[Bathurst, New Brunswick]]){{efn|Tom Donovan Arena was too small to host an NHL game. The pre-season match was moved to Bathurst.}}<ref name="CA2019"/><ref name="Bathurst"/>
| [[Florida Panthers]]
| '''[[Montreal Canadiens]]'''
| 3–4
| [https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/fla-vs-mtl/2019/09/18/2019010024 Recap]
|-
| September 26, 2019
| [[Calumet Colosseum]], [[Calumet, Michigan]]<ref name="USA2019"/>
| [[St. Louis Blues]]
| '''[[Detroit Red Wings]]'''
| 1–4
| [https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/stl-vs-det/2019/09/26/2019010082 Recap]
|-
| October 3, 2021{{efn|name="2020 winner"|Games for the 2020 winners were postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].}}
| [[El Paso County Coliseum]], [[El Paso, Texas]]
| [[Arizona Coyotes]]
| '''[[Dallas Stars]]'''
| 3–6
| [https://www.nhl.com/news/arizona-coyotes-dallas-stars-preseason-game-recap/c-326548010 Recap]
|-
| October 6, 2022{{efn|name="2020 winner"}}<ref name="2020-21 makeups"/>
| George Hawkins Memorial Arena, [[Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador]]<br />([[Steele Community Centre]], [[Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador]])<ref name="2020-21 makeups"/>
| '''[[Ottawa Senators]]'''
| [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| 4–3
| [https://www.nhl.com/news/ottawa-senators-montreal-canadiens-preseason-game-recap/c-336127078 Recap]
|-
| October 8, 2022{{efn|name="2021 winner"|Game for the 2021 winner was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.}}<ref name="2020-21 makeups"/>
| Chief Young Eagle Arena, [[Elsipogtog First Nation|Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick]]<br />(J.K. Irving Centre, [[Bouctouche|Bouctouche, New Brunswick]])<ref name="2020-21 makeups"/>
| [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| '''[[Ottawa Senators]]'''
| 2–3 (OT)
| [https://www.nhl.com/news/montreal-canadiens-ottawa-senators-preseason-game-recap/c-336177348 Recap]
|-
| TBD{{efn|name="2022 winner"|The game for the 2022 winner, Sydney, Nova Scotia, TBD due to the COVID-19 pandemic.}}
| [[Cape Breton University]] Canada Games Complex, [[Sydney, Nova Scotia]]
|}
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|https://www.krafthockeyville.ca/|name=Kraft Hockeyville Canada}}
* {{official website|https://www.krafthockeyville.com/|name=Kraft Hockeyville USA}}{{Dead link|date=May 2022}}

{{NHL}}
{{Hockey Night in Canada}}
{{NHL on NBC}}

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