Tumbler Ridge arena wins at least $50K in Kraft Hockeyville competition

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — Tumbler Ridge’s community arena has won at least $50,000 toward facility upgrades thanks to Kraft Hockeyville.

The annual competition celebrating Canadian community arenas announced its provincial winners on Saturday, March 14th.

The community saw a deadly mass shooting in February, where nine people – including the assailant – lost their lives, with many more injured.

In an announcement on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) website, the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre Arena was recognized as the province of British Columbia’s winner. 

The NHL, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association and Kraft Heinz, awarded the top performers from each Canadian province to celebrate the competition’s 20th anniversary.

Points were awarded for testimonials on a nominee’s page, worth 10 points; pictures celebrating the town’s commitment to hockey, worth three points; and rallying cries of support, worth one point.

The top finalists for the competition will be announced on Saturday, March 21st, with online voting for the winner on the weekend of April 3rd and 4th.

The grand prize winner will receive an additional $250,000 toward arena upgrades and the right to host an NHL pre-season game, while the runner up receives $100,000.

Voting is now finished for the competition. For further details on Kraft Hockeyville, visit its website. 

Fort St. John’s North Peace Arena was involved in the competition in both 2025 and 2026 – but failed to advance in both years.