{"id":41652,"date":"2026-04-05T06:44:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T06:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=41652"},"modified":"2026-04-05T06:44:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T06:44:24","slug":"tumbler-ridge-b-c-runner-up-in-hockeyville-contest-taber-alta-wins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=41652","title":{"rendered":"Tumbler Ridge, B.C., runner-up in Hockeyville contest; Taber, Alta., wins"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"ttsIcon-cIBsl\"><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>Estimated 4 minutes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"toggletip-tKLKF ttsToggleTip-DSCNQ\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"toggletipInfoButton-yoX4E\" aria-label=\"More information\" aria-controls=\":R89qn5:\" aria-describedby=\":R89qn5:\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M11 7H13V9H11V7ZM11 11H13V17H11V11ZM12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12C2 17.52 6.48 22 12 22C17.52 22 22 17.52 22 12C22 6.48 17.52 2 12 2ZM12 20C7.59 20 4 16.41 4 12C4 7.59 7.59 4 12 4C16.41 4 20 7.59 20 12C20 16.41 16.41 20 12 20Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/p>\n<p>The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Tumbler Ridge, B.C. has finished second in this year&#8217;s Kraft Hockeyville contest with the top prize going to Taber, Alta., but community members say the competition has helped lift spirits following a deadly school shooting earlier this year. <\/p>\n<p>The annual contest sees communities across Canada win cash to fix up their local rinks, with the winner receiving a $250,000 grand prize and chance to host a pre-season NHL game. <!-- -->The runner-up will also receive $100,000 for rink upgrades along with $10,000 in new equipment.<\/p>\n<p>The winning southern Alberta town <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/calgary\/taber-explosion-ice-resurfacer-9.7022029\" target=\"_blank\">lost the use of its aging hockey arena<\/a> after an explosion last December.<\/p>\n<p>In Tumbler Ridge, hundreds of residents poured into the community centre arena Saturday for a day-long watch party, filling the space with jerseys, signs and balloons ahead of the live announcement on Hockey Night in Canada.<\/p>\n<p>Mayor Darryl Krakowka said seeing the community come together was a powerful moment. <\/p>\n<p>He said watching kids running around and enjoying themselves was something the town needed, calling Tumbler Ridge a strong and resilient community.  <\/p>\n<p>Krakowka also congratulated Taber on the win and said that cash prize they are set to receive will still go a long way in improving the arena for local players. <\/p>\n<p>Former NHL player Andrew Ference and Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins also joined community members on Saturday expressing strong hope that the northern B.C. community would win.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div><em><strong>WATCH | Tumbler Ridge runner-up in Hockeyville contest:<\/strong><\/em><span><span class=\"mediaEmbed\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-ui-container  \" data-cy=\"player-placeholder-ui-container\">\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-video-ui\" title=\"Tumbler Ridge runner-up in Hockeyville contest\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:1.7778;--max-height:800px\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-ui\">\n<div class=\"video-item video-card-overlay\" title=\"Tumbler Ridge runner-up in Hockeyville contest\">\n<div class=\"thumbnail-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/feeaa86d-1034-4926-846d-6a5629aac728,1775358389511\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1280%2C720%29%3BResize%3D620\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\" class=\"thumbnail\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"video-card-overlay-container\">\n<div class=\"video-info-container\">\n<p class=\"video-item-title\">Tumbler Ridge runner-up in Hockeyville contest<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"media-caption\">Hundreds of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., residents poured into the town&#8217;s community centre arena Saturday for a day-long watch party ahead of the live announcement of this year&#8217;s Kraft Hockeyville contest winner. The annual contest sees communities across Canada win cash to fix up their local rinks. As the CBC&#8217;s Matt Preprost reports, while the community won second place, many in the community are keeping the love for the game strong.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p>Higgins said he spent hours on the ice with local children ahead of the announcement. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI had a smile on my face for five hours. All the kids were laughing and having a good time,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think this people coming together and supporting the people that are hurting &#8230; that makes everybody feel better.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>The community of about 2,400 is still recovering after eight people were killed by a shooter in February.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"imageMedia image full\">\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/830588f7-f807-4b1b-bf33-ba136dc6322d,1775336070553\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C2928%29%3BResize%3D796\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Two Mounties stand inside a community arena beside a large Kraft Dinner\u2013themed display\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/830588f7-f807-4b1b-bf33-ba136dc6322d,1775336070553\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C2928%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/830588f7-f807-4b1b-bf33-ba136dc6322d,1775336070553\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C2928%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/830588f7-f807-4b1b-bf33-ba136dc6322d,1775336070553\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C2928%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/830588f7-f807-4b1b-bf33-ba136dc6322d,1775336070553\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C2928%29%3B\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3770491803278688\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"image-caption\">Tumbler Ridge Mounties with a giant ice skate made from over 400 boxes of Kraft Dinner inside the arena at the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre.<!-- --> <!-- -->(Matt Preprost\/CBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Five of the victims of the shooting were just 12 and 13 years old, including 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield who is memorialized on the Tumbler Ridge Raptors team website as &#8220;goofy, fun and truly one of the kindest kids we ever had.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Twelve-year-old Maya Gebala, described as having &#8220;a larger-than-life personality that fills a room,&#8221; was shot numerous times and remains in hospital, still recovering from serious injuries. She&#8217;s recently been<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/british-columbia\/tumbler-ridge-shooting-victim-out-of-icu-9.7150174\" target=\"_blank\"> <u>moved out of intensive care<\/u><\/a>\u00a0and into a rehabilitation unit.   <\/p>\n<p>In the aftermath, the town&#8217;s community centre \u2014 which houses its arena, pool, library and several other amenities \u2014 became a sanctuary for residents.<\/p>\n<div><em><strong>WATCH | Tumbler Ridge receives outpouring of support from Alberta:<\/strong><\/em><span><span class=\"mediaEmbed\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-ui-container  \" data-cy=\"player-placeholder-ui-container\">\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-video-ui\" title=\"Tumbler Ridge receives outpouring of support from Alberta \" style=\"--aspect-ratio:1.7778;--max-height:800px\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<div class=\"player-placeholder-ui\">\n<div class=\"video-item video-card-overlay\" title=\"Tumbler Ridge receives outpouring of support from Alberta \">\n<div class=\"thumbnail-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/92062b33-01c4-47b8-ace6-b1abed9fa3c6,1770858707500\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D620\" srcset=\"\" alt=\"\" class=\"thumbnail\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"video-card-overlay-container\">\n<div class=\"video-info-container\">\n<p class=\"video-item-title\">Tumbler Ridge receives outpouring of support from Alberta <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"media-caption\">Two Grande Prairie residents are travelling to Tumbler Ridge, B.C., scene of a mass shooting left nine dead, to bring supplies to the grieving community. Also, Alberta&#8217;s premier and Edmonton&#8217;s mayor offer words of support. CBC&#8217;s Sarah Reid reports.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p>It was a place to gather to grieve, see mental health counsellors and take part in activities privately, out of the international media spotlight.<\/p>\n<p>Theresa Nevills, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force member from Vancouver Island, nominated Tumbler Ridge for the contest.<\/p>\n<p>She called it a chance for Canadians to wrap Tumbler Ridge &#8220;in a big hug from all of Canada.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"imageMedia image full\">\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/82c5e83c-0d8d-4970-b59b-a53dbd0d016d,1775356225932\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D796\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A woman holds a \u201cVote Tumbler Ridge\u201d towel inside an arena, with people and tables set up in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/82c5e83c-0d8d-4970-b59b-a53dbd0d016d,1775356225932\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/82c5e83c-0d8d-4970-b59b-a53dbd0d016d,1775356225932\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/82c5e83c-0d8d-4970-b59b-a53dbd0d016d,1775356225932\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/82c5e83c-0d8d-4970-b59b-a53dbd0d016d,1775356225932\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1920%2C1080%29%3B\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7777777777777777\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"image-caption\">Theresa Nevills, who nominated Tumbler Ridge for the Kraft Hockeyville contest, holds a rally towel at the community centre during the watch party<!-- --> <!-- -->(Gian Paolo Mendoza\/CBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019ve come so far in such a short period of time,\u201d said Nevills, who travelled more than 1,200 kilometres north to be part of the announcement. <\/p>\n<p>She said the community is still feeling &#8220;a warm hug&#8221; from across the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo go from where they were to where they are today &#8230; you can see their spirits and joy. It didn\u2019t matter if it was first or second place.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>Longtime resident Kevin Slaney said the support reflects the kind of place Tumbler Ridge is.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"imageMedia image full\">\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f77e7723-4cea-4fb4-b108-99a16d48cda7,1775338483908\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5712%2C4284%29%3BResize%3D796\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A group of drummers sit in a circle playing a large drum while dancers in colourful clothes perform, surrounded by a crowd inside an arena.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f77e7723-4cea-4fb4-b108-99a16d48cda7,1775338483908\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5712%2C4284%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f77e7723-4cea-4fb4-b108-99a16d48cda7,1775338483908\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5712%2C4284%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f77e7723-4cea-4fb4-b108-99a16d48cda7,1775338483908\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5712%2C4284%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/f77e7723-4cea-4fb4-b108-99a16d48cda7,1775338483908\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5712%2C4284%29%3B\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"image-caption\">Drummers and dancers from Saulteau First Nation perform at the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre during Hockeyville celebrations.<!-- --> <!-- -->(Matt Preprost\/CBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis town is just awesome,\u201d he said. \u201cThe people get together and they do anything for anybody.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was all doom and gloom \u2026 but now Theresa\u2019s done an awesome job in bringing happiness back here to the town,\u201d he added, referring to Nevills.<\/p>\n<p>The Town of Taber also acknowledged Tumbler Ridge in its announcement, pointing to the northern B.C. community\u2019s strength.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo the community of Tumbler Ridge, your story moved this country. Your strength and your love for your community are undeniable,\u201d the town said in a statement. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cCongratulations on an incredible second place finish.\u201d  <\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><em\/><a href=\"https:\/\/subscriptions.cbc.ca\/listmanagement\/forms\/fsjweekly\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Subscribe to CBC\u2019s Fort St. John Weekly<\/em><\/a><em> for a roundup of the best news and stories from B.C.\u2019s Peace and Northern Rockies.<\/em><\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"imageMedia image full\">\n<div class=\"placeholder\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/fa649ae8-a5b5-417d-a663-24cb1e59f1c1,1765238213484\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1340%2C400%29%3BResize%3D796\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A graphic advertising Fort St. John weekly newsletter, 'Sharing Northern B.C. stories from the other side of the Rockies.'\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/fa649ae8-a5b5-417d-a663-24cb1e59f1c1,1765238213484\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1340%2C400%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/fa649ae8-a5b5-417d-a663-24cb1e59f1c1,1765238213484\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1340%2C400%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/fa649ae8-a5b5-417d-a663-24cb1e59f1c1,1765238213484\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1340%2C400%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px\" src=\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/ais\/fa649ae8-a5b5-417d-a663-24cb1e59f1c1,1765238213484\/full\/max\/0\/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1340%2C400%29%3B\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.35\" data-cy=\"image-img\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/british-columbia\/tumbler-ridge-hockeyville-runner-up-taber-wins-9.7152571?cmp=rss\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen to this article Estimated 4 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41653,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41652","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-north-america"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41652"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41652\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}