PITTSBURGH & CHICAGO - Kraft Heinz, together with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), is proud to announce that El Paso County Coliseum in El Paso, Texas is officially Kraft Hockeyville USA 2020. El Paso County Coliseum will be awarded $150,000 in rink upgrades from Kraft Heinz and $10,000 worth of new equipment from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund. Further information on an NHL Community Celebration for the Grand Prize Winner will be determined at a later date.
Since the kickoff of this year's program, El Paso County Coliseum and its supporters have not only rallied online and voted but have also showed their spirit and pride for their local rink, proving them to be the most passionate hockey community in America. Ever since opening its doors in 1942 and originally built to host rodeos, El Paso County Coliseum has been a place for this tight-knit community to unite, heal and celebrate all that is good.
'Kraft Hockeyville is all about showing passion and dedication to a community's spirit,' said Magen Hanrahan, vice president of media and marketing services at Kraft Heinz. 'El Paso has shown how important El Paso County Coliseum and hockey is to its community.'
The First Prize rink, East Grand Forks Civic Center in East Grand Forks, Minnesota will receive $30,000 in rink upgrades, while the Second Prize rinks, Wichita Ice Center in Wichita, Kansas and Wildcat Centre Arena in River Falls, Wisconsin will each receive $10,000 in rink upgrades. All four finalists will also receive $10,000 worth of new hockey equipment from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.
'Kraft Hockeyville USA shines a light on the immense value local ice rinks have to communities across the United States,' said Brian Jennings, NHL Chief Brand Officer & Senior Executive Vice President. 'Community backing is vital to growing the game of hockey and Kraft Heinz's steadfast commitment to this initiative makes a big impact. Congratulations to El Paso County Coliseum on this wonderful recognition.'
'Every Kraft Hockeyville, a special community steps up to display an incredible passion that creates a memorable experience for all,' said Mathieu Schneider, NHLPA Special Assistant to the Executive Director. 'At a time when community feels more important than ever, the players are proud to help El Paso - together with Kraft Heinz and the NHL - unite through hockey. The equipment donation from NHLPA Goals & Dreams to each of the four finalist communities will help keep the future of hockey strong and accessible.'
Further information on an NHL Community Celebration for the Grand Prize Winner will be determined at a later date.
For complete contest rules, voting information and program details, visit krafthockeyville.com. Kraft HockeyvilleTM USA 2020 can also be found on Facebook (KraftHockeyvilleUSA), Twitter (@HockeyvilleUSA), and Instagram (KraftHockeyvilleUSA). Fans can join the conversation using #HockeyvilleUSA.
NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and HOCKEYVILLE is a trademark of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. NHL 2020. All Rights Reserved.
NHLPA, National Hockey League Players' Association and the NHLPA logo are registered trademarks of the NHLPA. 2020. 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). We are one of the largest global food and beverage companies, with 2019 net sales of approximately $25 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 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, the Seattle Kraken, for the 2021-2022 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. Gary Bettman has served the NHL as Commissioner since February 1, 1993, and has guided the world's top professional hockey league to more than $5 billion in annual revenues and partnerships with more than 40 blue chip corporate sponsors. 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 United States, Sportsnet and TVA in Canada, Viasat in the Nordic Region, Yandex in Russia, 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. Having entered the eSports world in 2018, the League hosts the NHL Gaming World Championship annually, drawing record digital streaming audiences during the 2019 campaign. 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, and international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, NHLPA Goals & Dreams was launched as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 20 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 $25 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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