Cheers erupted within the Alberta community of Taber on Saturday as Kraft Hockeyville announced the town had been named the 2026 winner of the competition’s $250,000 prize.
“I got goosebumps, almost tears in my eyes,” said John Browning, a Taber parent, told Global News. “Watching these kids have fun and bringing this thing home, it’s a way of joy.”
Taber was originally named one among two finalists in late March following the lack of its only two ice rinks in December to a Zamboni explosion.
City council has earmarked $6 million to rebuild its large ice rink after the blast shattered the partitions around it, but about $5 million more is required to repair the ice rink and the remaining parts of the community centre. The town has requested $8 million from the federal government for upgrades.
With the Hockeyville win, which followed a two-week public vote, Taber will now receive $250,000 for rink upgrades and can have the chance to host an NHL pre-season game in the autumn of 2027.
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“Community, community, community, that’s what this implies here, what this rink and what this facility means to Taber and area,” Mayor Andrew Prokop said in an interview. “The most important thing was that our community got here together, rallied behind us, and not only Taber, our whole region. And that’s huge, we are able to’t thank people enough for that.”
As well as, Taber, together with the runner-up, Tumbler Ridge, B.C., and the 11 provincial and territorial finalists, may even receive $10,000 in brand-new hockey equipment. Tumbler Ridge can be receiving $100,000 for rink upgrades because the national runner-up.
In an announcement, the Town of Taber thanked Kraft Heinz and its Hockeyville partners, the NHL and NHL Players Association (NHLPA), for believing locally, but focused on the community itself for its limitless support.
The town also thanked Canadians for selecting “to face with Taber” throughout the contest’s vote. It went on to congratulate Tumbler Ridge as well, saying it was “proud to face beside you.”
“Your strength and your love in your community are undeniable,” the statement said.
Two months ago, several students in Tumbler Ridge were killed when a shooter went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and opened fire. The shooter had gone to the varsity after killing her mother and half brother at their family home.
In a Hockeyville post, Amy Heaton, a hockey parent and coach, said that the community had gathered at their rink to grieve.
The town said it planned to make use of its Hockeyville funds to upgrade the rink’s sound system and accessible seating.
“My heart goes out to the parents of Tumbler Ridge,” Browning said. “They needed it as much as we did, and my sincere condolences to their community. We’re hoping for nothing but the perfect.”
Repairs on the Taber rinks are expected to wrap up by the tip of summer 2026, with the world set to reopen ahead of the following hockey season.
“This was never nearly hockey. This was about home,” the town of Taber’s statement said.
—with files from Global News’ Jordan Prentice
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.