A hockey association in Prince Edward Island is throwing its support behind the Sackville Minor Hockey Association in its bid for a national hockey competition.
The heartwarming move is part of the P.E.I group returning a big favor from five years ago.
In 2020, Tyne Valley Minor Hockey Association was entered in Kraft Hockeyville alongside the Sackville Arena to win $250,000 and host an NHL Preseason game.
Then a fluke fire burned the P.E.I. rink to the ground.
Chris Fraser from the Lake District Recreation Association tells our newsroom it was then Sackville took action and withdrew its bid.
“They don’t have what we have over here. They have a small, minor hockey community. So, we invited Tyne Valley to come over. We pulled our bid, and we allowed Tyne Valley to take it, and we rallied [for them] at the arena.”
5 years later
Tyne Valley did not end up winning Kraft Hockeyville in 2020, but they did reach the top four and according to the Sackville association, the exposure helped them build a new rink.
Five years later, they are hoping to help Sackville do the same.
On their website, Tyne Valley says the Sackville Arena was one of the greatest supporters during their Hockeyville run.
“Five years ago, this amazing community pulled out their bid and supported Tyne Valley like nothing we had seen before. It is our turn to repay this great act of community, leadership and show just how great the game of hockey can pull communities together near and far.”
They add, they have four full days of hockey and fun planned.
Truly touched
The Sackville association says they are honoured and thrilled by the support they are receiving from Tyne Valley.
In a post on their social media page, they express “sincere gratitude to everyone involved for putting in so much effort to plan a rally to support our Sackville Arena! We are truly touched!”
What you can do
The association says they helped out Tyne Valley in 2020 because they know how important the sport is.
“We understood how vital a hockey arena can be as the heart of a community, and we couldn’t imagine life without the Sackville Arena.”
Last weekend the Sackville Arena hosted its first rally, but to continue to help them get to the top four in the Kraft Hockeyville competition, they need points.
Go to the Hockeyville webpage to upload photos and stories of what the arena means to you, to generate the points they need to get there.
You can add your input until March.
