Rinks in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. and Taber, Alberta have landed the final two spots in Kraft Hockeyville 2026.
It means those arenas are both in the running for the top prize in the national competition to win $250,000 for arena upgrades and the chance to host a pre-season NHL game.
The win for Tumbler Ridge follows a horrific tragedy at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School where a mass shooting in February left eight dead along with the shooter and dozens injured.
In a post on social media, the Tumbler Ridge Minor Hockey Association expresses what moving on in the competition really means.
“This is HUGE! This is OUR moment,” says the post. “From lifelong residents to families who’ve only been here for a season… from early mornings at the rink to late night practices… this town has shown what it means to come together.”
The Taber Minor Hockey Association says they couldn’t be prouder.
“This isn’t just about hockey. It’s about community passion and the unstoppable spirit of Taber,” says the Taber association on social media. “Let’s keep the energy going and show everyone why our town is truly a hockey town!”
Meantime, the association that overlooks the Nova Scotia finalist says on social media it is not the outcome they hoped for but congratulate the winners.
Randy Palmer president of District 13 Recreation and Planning Commission with the Ivor MacDonald Memorial Arena tells us it would have been nice to move to the next round, but they are still happy.
“We’re looking to doing something to celebrate being the provincial win,” say Palmer. “We are very thankful to everybody that supported us.”
They received $50,000 and will use the money to replace exterior siding and insulation.
