The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Compiled by Kelly Carrington With a $100,000 Whitney Forum upgrade on the line, Flin Flon has been nominated in the 2011 Kraft Hockeyville campaign. Along with the up-grades, the winning community will host an NHL pre-season game for the 2011-12 hockey season. The Kraft Hockeyville website has a few testimonies from those in the community regarding the Whitney Forum already. One story, called Hockey Mom, mentions the importance of hockey in the Flin Flon community. "Being born in Flin Flon means that a little hockey love is naturally put in your blood...we all have it," read the opening line of the story, which was posted on the website. Contest The nomination phase of the contest opens with the current NHL regular season underway. The "search for Canada's most passionate hockey town" is on, according to a Hockeyville press release. Canadians from coast-to-coast are encouraged to enter their town at a chance to win the $100,000 arena upgrade, the NHL pre-season game and, of course, bragging rights. Another perk for the winning team is being able to host a CBC's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast in their community. Four runner-up communities will receive $25,000 each for arena upgrades, stated the press release. The nomination phase closes on January 30, 2011. Competition This year, reads the press release, the competition has introduced an updated logo and a new format that will split the country into five regions. The split will allow for a greater representation, stated the website. The regions will be Ontario, Quebec, Pacific, West and Atlantic. On board with the contest as ambassadors are NHLers Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks), Alex Burrows (Vancouver Canucks), Brendan Morrison (Calgary Flames), Tyler Myers (Buffalo Sabers) and Dan Cleary (Detroit Red Wings). "The great thing about Kraft Hockeyville is that it brings the game back to its roots at the local rink," said Cleary. "It's a great reminder of how hockey plays such a big role in our lives and brings communities together across the country." As early as Nov. 5, communities were able to enter the Kraft Hockey-ville contest. Those looking to register Ð and who are still able to Ð are required to complete a nomination form and submit a short essay with at least three supporting pictures. The essay and pictures must depict hometown pride and passion for the game. Chosen Once nominations close (January 30, 2011), the top 20 communities will be be chosen to compete for the Kraft Hockeyville title. The top 10 communities will be revealed on March 8 through CBC. Canadians will then vote for their top five communities from March 8-13, 2011. Once the votes have been tallied, read the press release, the top five communities will be announced on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada on March 19, 2011. At that point the slate will reset, and Canadians will vote from March 19- 21, 2011 for their top five communities and ultimately, the Kraft Hockeyville 2011 champion.
