West Lorne, Ont., takes home Kraft Hockeyville 2023 title

West Lorne, Ont., had a big win Saturday as it took home the Kraft Hockeyville 2023 title, beating three teams from across the country in Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. 

The community will get $250,000 for upgrades to its arena along with an extra $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment from the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). It will also get a chance to host an NHL pre-season game. 

"I don't know if I can put it into words, but when they announced that we won, the place just exploded into a roar. It was unbelievable and just such a great experience," said Kevin Summers, president of West Lorne Minor Hockey Association.

The town of 1,300 people southeast of London rallied to support the 55-year-old arena, which is a hub for communities in West Lorne, Dutton and Rodney, but in desperate need of upgrades. 

With an increasing number of minor hockey registrants, the community is running out of space. The prize funds will help with upgrades like a new front entrance with more accessible larger doors, new dressing rooms to accommodate more players, and an expanded warm room for families and fans. 

"To be able to open it up and give those kids the space they need to have a bit of fun out there is really our biggest goal," Summers said.

The arena was rebuilt in 1968 after a fire. Since then, it has been full every weekend with families either on the ice or supporting players, the NHL said.

"We would like to extend our congratulations to West Lorne, Ontario whose dedication to building the future of community hockey for players and fans helped capture the hearts of Canadians and the coveted title of Kraft Hockeyville 2023," said Adam Butler, president of Kraft Heinz Canada, in a statement.

"Kraft Hockeyville has a 17-year legacy of uniting Canadians through the love of the game and helping restore and upgrade hockey arenas in need across the country. The passion of our communities was unmatched this year."

'We came in as underdogs'

Summers said that despite West Lorne being late to the contest nomination stage with only six days before the deadline, the community's support really helped get the victory.

"We came in as underdogs. We were the smallest centre that was in the top four," he said. "We've been a growing centre, and this type of win would allow us to grow even further."

The win reinvigorated the hockey spirit among young players, who didn't get to practice or play much the last few years due to pandemic restrictions, Summers said, adding that he hopes this will make room for more hockey players in generations to come.

The three other finalists were Saint-Anselme, Que., Ste. Anne, Man., and Maple Ridge, B.C., who will each receive $25,000 in arena upgrades and $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment.