Antigonish for Kraft Hockeyville 2011

Antigonish is in the running to be named one of the top five communities in Canada for CBC’s Kraft Hockeyville 2011!

On Saturday, March 19th, the top five communities will be announced during CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada (game 2). It is at this point that we will need the public’s help more than ever. Voting starts this Saturday at midnight and is open until Monday night, March 21st at 1:00 a.m. This means there are only 49 hours to vote!

The organizing committee for Antigonish has arranged public voting centres for Sunday and Monday should Antigonish make the top five. On Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., room 352 at Nicholson Hall on the StFX campus will be open for public voting. Groups such as town and county councils, minor hockey, the Antigonish Kinsmen, and Lions Club have all been invited and scheduled to vote for two hours at a time. There are 60 computers available and anyone is invited to come vote with other members from the community. On Monday, from 5 to 11 p.m. in room 254 we have 30 computers open for the public’s use. Antigonish will need over a million votes to win this title.

Antigonish is a community with strong roots embedded in hockey. Did you know Danny Gallivan, an announcer with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada for 32 years, actually started his broadcasting career in Antigonish with CJFX while he was attending StFX? Did you know Michael John O’Brien and his son Ambrose, both of Antigonish, owned and financed four of the first five teams in the NHL? They are the “Forefathers of the NHL”. We need to carry on Antigonish’s strong hockey traditions and make Antigonish Kraft Hockeyville 2011!

You can vote online at http://www.krafthockeyville.ca or via phone by calling toll-free 1-866-533-8066. VOTING IS UNLIMITED!!! So vote and vote often!

The winning community is announced on Saturday, April 2nd and receives $100,000 from Kraft Canada dedicated to upgrading their home arena, an NHL pre-season hockey game, and a CBC Hockey Night in Canada broadcast relating to the event. The remaining four communities from the top five receive $25,000.

This annual contest is all about pride and community spirit. Everyone knows Antigonish has a long history and a strong passion for hockey; now it’s time to prove it! As a resident of Antigonish, you know the importance of our local arena to our community – and it needs your help!

So spread the word and vote! ANTIGONISH IS KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE!!

To see the Antigonish footage from CBC’s visit: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeyville/watch_videos/en/index.shtml