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STARRINKS.COM MARCH.APRIL.2015 / 35 Bianco, a Toronto-area native who stays connected to the game as an adult hockey player in Skokie, Ill. In the case of Dundas, Ontario, the recog- nition even helped save the local rink from the government chopping block. According to Barry Forth, who helped spearhead Dundas' Hockeyville campaign, the J.L. Grightmire Arena was turning 60 years old and did not operate as effi- ciently as some of the newer rinks in the area. But it did have "great character and great bones," and was an integral part of the community. That passion was on full display as Dundas received more than one million votes from the Canadian public in 2010. It was enough for the city fathers to take a second look at the structure and not only remove it from the closure list but to earmark funds to help renovate it. "Winning this competi- tion helped the rink come off of that list, which is great because it's a huge part of our community," Forth said. In addition to the prize money and the shot of civic pride, the NHL ® brings an Pre-Season Game to town, which is actu- ally more of a celebration of the game. "To see an NHL game come into a 979- seat arena was a huge thrill. Each and every person was close enough to touch the glass. To be up-close and personal with these NHL players was a huge thrill," Forth said of the game held between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. "It wasn't just the game. It was everything that happened around it – a weekend fes- tival leading up to it, the Stanley Cup in town, NHL alumni coming to local schools and hospitals. "So it was more than just the 1,000 people who went to the hockey game who were affected by it. We were able to stretch that out to involve a ton of people and really make a great weekend of it. It's still the talk of the town." And for the NHL ® players who are able to return home to communities like the ones they grew up in, it's a special thrill that helps them kick off the season. "I don't care if it's Saskatchewan or Wisconsin, the rituals and connections are the same: early morning skates, mom or dad driving them to the rink, traveling to tournaments, connecting with friends and neighbors, learning life skills around being part of a team, winning and losing together. Those are all parts of the game that have no border," Bianco said. "That's why these players get so excited when they go back to these communities. They recognize the real roots of why they got into the game." To get the program off the ground, Kraft is enlisting the help of an all-star roster of partners that includes USA Hockey, the NHL ® , NHLPA ® and NBC Sports. The puck dropped for Kraft Hockeyville in the U.S. with nominations beginning on Jan. 1 during the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic™ featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals on New Year's Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. This team effort will include TV, digital and in-store media support, and incorporate the support of U.S. retailers during hockey season. The launch of Kraft Hockeyville will help enhance their connection to hockey and their local community. 1 NOMINATE YOUR COMMUNITY NOW BEFORE 3/18/15 LOG ON! KRAFTHOCKEYVILLE.COM LOG ON! KRAFTHOCKEYVILLE.COM KRAFTHOCKEYVILLE.COM LOG ON! KRAFTHOCKEYVILLE.COM NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Contest entry starts at 12:00 a.m. ET on 1/1/15 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 3/18/15. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 13 years old and older. Enter online at www.krafthockeyville.com. Limit 3 contest entries per email address/person. PRIZES/ARV: Contest: (1) Grand Prize: Grand Prize package includes $150,000 in rink upgrades, an NHL® pre-season game played in that arena (or an alternative arena if necessary), "Kraft Hockeyville USA 2015" title and trophy. ARV: $150,000. (1) Runner Up Prize: $75,000 in arena upgrades. ARV: $75,000. (2) First Prizes: $40,000 in arena upgrades. ARV: $40,000. (6) Second Prizes: $20,000 in arena upgrades. ARV: $20,000. Void where prohibited. See Official Rules at www.krafthockeyville.com for complete details. Sponsor: Kraft Foods Group, Inc., 3 Lakes Drive, Northfield, IL 60093 ...WHEN YOU SEE THE STORIES YOU'LL CONNECT WITH WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT, WHICH IS ABOUT COMMUNITY, FAMILY AND A PASSION FOR THE GAME. I THINK THAT WILL TRANSCEND BEYOND HOCKEY...