Small Saskatchewan Town Wolseley in the Running for Kraft Hockeyville Win

The small town of Wolseley in Saskatchewan has emerged as one of the finalists in the prestigious 2024 Kraft Hockeyville competition. The Wolseley Kraft Hockeyville committee is gearing up for a final push to secure the win, calling on all Saskatchewanians to lend their support.

Vance Weber, the spokesperson for the committee, expressed strong sentiments about the significance of winning the Hockeyville title, not just for Wolseley but for the entire province of Saskatchewan. Weber highlighted the fact that despite 18 years of the competition, no team from Saskatchewan has claimed the victory, a trend they aim to change this year.

Wolseley, although a small town with just around 850 residents, has shown remarkable unity in its bid for Kraft Hockeyville. Its Sportplex has been a key hub for the Wolseley Minor Hockey Association since 2016, fostering a successful Junior ‘C’ hockey team that competes in the Qu’Appelle Valley Junior Hockey League.

The $250,000 prize money from winning Hockeyville would enable Wolseley to modernize its 44-year-old artificial ice system, which has surpassed its intended lifespan. The committee envisions a more sustainable and efficient rink, a vital resource for a town deeply invested in hockey.

Weber emphasized that the community engagement in Wolseley’s Hockeyville campaign has been exceptional, with around 20 active committee members handling various responsibilities. The involvement extends across different segments of the town, showcasing a level of participation rarely seen in a town of this size.

Aside from the much-needed upgrades to the ice rink, the Kraft Hockeyville title also comes with the coveted opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game, a dream scenario for any hockey-loving community.

To support Wolseley in its quest for victory, Canadians are encouraged to cast their votes for the town. Voting opens on March 29 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time and concludes on March 30 at 5 p.m. ET. Participants must be Canadian residents aged 14 or older and can vote multiple times during the voting window.

As the voting period approaches, Weber called on the people of Saskatchewan to register and vote diligently. He urged residents to vote continuously, underscoring the historic nature of Saskatchewan’s potential first win in the Kraft Hockeyville competition.