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Hockeyville finalist Wilkie misses win

“We all came out winners no matter what,” said Helen Urlacher.
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The Wilkie Outlaws hockey team make an appearance on television, vying for their community to win the 2019 Kraft Hockeyville competition. Photo courtesy of Helena Long

Renous, New Brunswick, has been named the winner of the 2019 Kraft Hockeyville contest, beating a Saskatchewan town in the race for $250,000 in arena upgrades.

After finding out they had made it to the final four last week, Wilkie put out a call for support to Fernie, two towns that were united through Hockeyville last year.

Fernie was an entrant in the 2018 contest but was not selected as a finalist. Throughout the campaign promoting the mountain town, Wilkie dedicated its nomination votes to Fernie following the arena tragedy in October 2017.

Although Wilkie didn’t win Hockeyville, they still received $25,000 from the organization as well as an additional $25,000 from Dragons Den host Brett Wilson.

The multi-millionaire grew up 30 minutes from Wilkie and announced his donation on Twitter, March 30.

Wilkie campaign organizer Helen Urlacher said that their entire group was very humbled by the kind gestures.

“We all came out winners no matter what,” she said.

Wilkie will spend $10,000 on minor hockey equipment. The remainder of the $50k will go towards upgrading the town’s aging arena.



Phil McLachlan

About the Author: Phil McLachlan

Phil McLachlan is the editor at the Penticton Western News. He served as the reporter, and eventually editor of The Free Press newspaper in Fernie.
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