Kraft Hockeyville returns for 2017

By @StefanKubus –

Last year, Lakeview Arena in Marquette hosted a preseason NHL game between the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes.

Marquette was named the winner of the second annual Kraft Hockeyville competition across the United States. Now, it’s back for a third season and nominations are open.

Towns across the U.S. can apply to become the next Kraft Hockeyville in which the winning city will host a NHL preseason game and win $150,000 in arena upgrades. Communities are encouraged to share unique stories about their passion for hockey and why they should be named Hockeyville in their nominations, which run until March 10, 2017. Nomination entries can be completed at KraftHockeyville.com.

“Like the rest of the country, we were inspired by the pride and brilliant enthusiasm Marquette demonstrated to become Kraft Hockeyville™ USA 2016,” Senior vice president of marketing for Kraft Heinz Nina Barton said in a release. “We can’t wait to see what this year’s contest brings, and we look forward to helping more hockey communities thrive across America in 2017.”

MORE: MiHockey’s coverage of the 2016 Kraft Hockeyville events in Marquette

The ten finalists will be named once the nomination period has ended. Here’s how each stage of the process works:

Round 1 (April 11-13, 2017) – Top four communities chosen to move on to the next round; remaining six each receive $10,000 toward arena upgrades.

Round 2 (April 18-19, 2017) – Top two finalists selected; remaining two each receive $25,000 toward arena upgrades.

Round 3 (April 24-25, 2017) – One community will emerge as Kraft Hockeyville USA 2017; runner-up will receive $75,000 toward arena upgrades.

The ultimate grand prize winner will be announced on April 29.

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