PITTSBURGH & CHICAGO – March 31, 2019 – Together with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), Kraft Heinz is excited to announce Calumet Colosseum in Calumet, Michigan as the winner of Kraft Hockeyville™ USA 2019. Calumet Colosseum will have the opportunity to host an NHL Pre-Season Game, will be awarded $150,000 in rink upgrades and will receive $10,000 worth of new equipment from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.
After weeks of rallying and online voting, Calumet Colosseum and its supporters showed unrivaled enthusiasm and spirit, proving why they are the most passionate hockey community in America. Ever since opening its doors in 1913, countless memories have been forged in this small, blue-collar town in the middle of Copper Country. Calumet Colosseum is the oldest in-use indoor ice arena in the world and residents look forward to implementing the upgrades needed to keep the Colosseum thriving for years to come.
“Community support is pivotal in this competition and Calumet Colosseum showed the passion and determination of a true champion,” said Magen Hanrahan, vice president of media and marketing services at Kraft Heinz. “Calumet Colosseum is an inspiration to local hockey communities across America, and we’re excited to celebrate with them later this year.”
The runner-up, Eagle River Sports Arena in Eagle River, Wisconsin will receive $30,000 to use toward rink upgrades, while the Wexford County Civic Center in Cadillac, Michigan and Bernicks Pepsi Arena in Sartell, Minnesota will each receive $10,000 toward rink upgrades. In addition to rink upgrades from Kraft Heinz, each rink will be awarded $10,000 worth of new hockey equipment on behalf of the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.
“Congratulations to Calumet Colosseum for this tremendous recognition,” said Brian Jennings, NHL chief branding officer and executive vice president. “Kraft Hockeyville USA is a celebration that demonstrates how a local ice rink can be the nucleus of a community when it has the full support of its youth hockey players, coaches, parents and volunteers. We commend the community of Calumet for its commitment to the growth of hockey.”
“Bringing the NHL game into passionate hockey communities around the United States is something we are extremely proud to continue to do, in partnership with Kraft Heinz and the NHL,” said Mathieu Schneider, NHLPA special assistant to the executive director. “We know that Calumet will be an incredible host for Kraft Hockeyville USA and like in years past, the players will be excited to hit the ice and share in the celebration with the entire hockey community in Calumet, Michigan.”
For complete contest rules, voting information, and program details, visit www.KraftHockeyville.com. Kraft HockeyvilleTM USA 2019 can also be found on Facebook (KraftHockeyvilleUSA), Twitter (@HockeyvilleUSA), and Instagram (KraftHockeyvilleUSA). Fans can join the conversation using #HockeyvilleUSA.
NHLPA, National Hockey League Players’ Association and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license. © 2019. All rights reserved.
NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League, and HOCKEYVILLE is a trademark of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks (including HOCKEYVILLE) and NHL team logos and marks are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2019. All rights reserved.
About The Kraft Heinz Company
For 150 years, we have produced some of the world’s most beloved products at The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC). Our Vision is To Be the Best Food Company, Growing a Better World. We are one of the largest global food and beverage companies, with 2018 net sales of approximately $26 billion. Our portfolio is a diverse mix of iconic and emerging brands. As the guardians of these brands and the creators of innovative new products, we are dedicated to the sustainable health of our people and our planet. To learn more, visit http://www.kraftheinzcompany.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About the NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 31 Member Clubs and proudly welcomes its 32nd franchise, based in Seattle, for the 2021-22 season. Each team roster reflects the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 151 million followers - league, team and player accounts combined - across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including NBC/NBCSN and the NHL Network in the U.S., Sportsnet and TVA in Canada, Viasat in the Nordic Region and CCTV and Tencent in China. The NHL reaches fans worldwide with games available online in every country including via its live and on-demand streaming service NHL.TV™. Fans are engaged across the League’s digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL® App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio; and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League’s inception, powered by SAP. The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities through the sport of hockey by increasing youth participation and engagement; fostering positive family experiences; promoting inclusion, positive culture and leadership; and supporting sustainable community impact.
About the National Hockey League Players’ Association
The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA launched the Goals & Dreams fund as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 19 years, more than 80,000 deserving children in 34 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $24 million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.
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