ELLIOT LAKE—Elliot Lake has claimed the Kraft Hockeyville 2024 title! And Manitoulin Island residents were not shy about taking time out of their Easter weekend, and casting votes for their Northern neighbour, a fact that was acknowledged by Elliot Lake’s Hockeyville boosters squad during the celebration event at Collins Hall in Elliot Lake following the Saturday night winning announcement.
Debby Turner of Little Current, whose younger daughter is a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elliot Lake and who has purchased a home in the community, spent time tallying “close to 4,500 votes” to support her daughter’s new home town. She was aware of other Manitoulin people who were also helping out.
Ms. Turner noted that some of her daughter’s friends had posted more than 30,000 votes in favour of Elliot Lake during the 32 hours voting window that opened at 9 am Good Friday and closed at 5 pm the next day.
Charles Flintoff, deputy mayor of Elliot Lake said, “it was a very exciting day for past and present residents of Elliot Lake. We were overdue in having something great like this take place.”
“We are very appreciative of all the support we received from so many people on Manitoulin Island, people like Debby Turner, but there were a lot of other people on the Island who were supportive,” said Mr. Flintoff. “The whole Northern Ontario supported Elliot Lake. I really feel that communities like Manitoulin and around the North really stepped up, and it feels like not only a win for Elliot Lake but all of Northern Ontario.”
“Kraft Heinz, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) is pleased to announce that Elliot Lake, Ontario has won the sought-after designation of Kraft Hockeyville 2024,” a release states.
Elliot Lake will receive $250,000 for rink upgrades, the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game and $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment from the NHLPA Goals and Dreams fund.
Many Manitoulin Island residents were among Canadians all over the country who cast their votes for Elliot Lake, recognizing the community for its dedication to creating a haven for the next generation of hockey players and fans. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the official announcement on Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast Saturday evening.
“Despite many challenges, particularly after the closure of mines in the early 1990s, the community (Elliot Lake) has redefined itself and the population continues to grow. However, recent hardships have impacted their recreational and competitive hockey leagues, including the Elliot Lake junior hockey team, forcing them to relocate due to the closure of the Centennial Arena last fall, following significant structural issues with the arena roof.”
“We would like to congratulate Elliot Lake and all of this year’s finalists for their amazing commitment to make the Hockeyville program a huge success yet again,” said Simon Laroche, president of Kraft Heinz Canada.
