Winner hosts live NHL exhibition game
February 2, 2006, Toronto, ON “ CBC Television and Kraft Canada along with the National Hockey League and the National Hockey Players' Association today launched KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE “ a prime-time television series showcasing the search for the community that best embodies the spirit of hockey and hometown pride. The victorious community will receive the ultimate honour for a hockey-loving community “ a live NHL exhibition game. In addition to the game, the winner will also receive a $25,000 gift card for arena upgrades from presenting sponsor The Home Depot and $10,000 in hockey equipment from CCM/Reebok.
Teamwork, co-operation, and passion are traits possessed by all great teams and great Canadian communities. Every community, whether it's a small town or situated within a big city, is invited to demonstrate its love of the game and share grassroots hockey stories to earn the title of Kraft Hockeyville. Over seven one-hour episodes, which premiere on Wednesday, March 29 at 8 p.m., CBC Television will chronicle stories from Canada's most enthusiastic regions as they vie for the Kraft Hockeyville title.
"Every Canadian believes their hometown should be considered Kraft Hockeyville and now they have a chance to tell us why," says Dino Bianco, President, Kraft Canada. "Not all hockey heroics take place on the ice, and we want to hear stories about outstanding individuals and tales of teamwork inside, and outside, the arena."
"Hockey is more than a game; it is an important and treasured part of our pride and identity," says Richard Stursberg, Executive Vice-President, CBC Television. "KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE will connect communities across Canada and celebrate their contributions to the culture of hockey. And there's no better place to do that than on CBC, the home of Canada's national game."
Featuring footage from across Canada and communities in the running, the series will telecast live from Kingston, Ontario revealing what makes a hockey community thrive. Each episode will feature regional co-hosts that report on local heroes and highlight the energetic and innovative ways each community chooses to best represent itself. At different stages, viewers participate by watching the program and selecting the community to proceed to the next round. The communities will be chosen from a nomination process launched on January 7, 2006 and the list will be narrowed down by judges and public votes to determine the winner. CBC'S KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE will conclude in June with a live broadcast of the winning community being crowned Kraft Hockeyville 2006.
"Kraft Hockeyville is an opportunity for the NHL to bring the game back to the community," says Ed Horne, President NHL Enterprises. "The NHL is rich with stories of players who hail from cities and towns that could be Hockeyville. We're delighted to be associated with a program that celebrates that contribution to the game."
Kraft Hockeyville: A Team Effort
From the heart-warming to the outrageous, communities are encouraged to submit their nominations early because the Kraft Hockeyville production team will be on the road filming in different locations. Anyone can apply and share their story, from small towns to communities in the centre of our biggest cities. Applications must be received by March 19, 2006.
"Members of the NHLPA are excited to participate in Kraft Hockeyville and play an exhibition game in the winning community's arena in front of local fans," said Ted Saskin, Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players' Association. "The players remember what it was like playing in both indoor and outdoor rinks in their own communities, so this will be a great chance for them to step out of the big NHL arenas and return to their early hockey roots."
For more information on CBC'S KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE or to nominate your community, visit www.cbc.ca/hockeyville
Kraft Foods markets many of the world's leading food brands, including Kraft cheese, Maxwell House and Jacobs coffees, Philadelphia cream cheese, Post cereals and Milka chocolates, in more than 155 countries. In Canada, company brands include Kraft Dinner macaroni and cheese, Christie cookies and crackers including Bits&Bites and Crispers, Kraft Peanut Butter and Nabob Coffee
CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. CBC/Radio-Canada reaches Canadians through eight national radio and television networks, its full-service Web sites, local/regional stations and affiliates, as well as the digital television channel Country Canada, and the continuous music network Galaxie. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada has forged partnerships with other broadcasters and is a partner in The Documentary Channel and satellite radio through Sirius. Through this array of activities, CBC/Radio-Canada brings diverse regional and cultural perspectives into the daily lives of Canadians in English, French and eight aboriginal languages.
For more information, please contact:
Netta Rondinelli or Shauna Simons
Media Profile: Tel: (416) 504-8464 or 1-866-504-8464
Email: netta@mediaprofile.com / shauna@mediaprofile.com