Momentum and anticipation has reached a fever pitch in Enderby for Kraft Hockeyville.

The community is one of four in the running for $250,000 in arena upgrades and an NHL preseason game.

The NHLB次元官网网址檚 Vancouver Canucks caught wind of EnderbyB次元官网网址檚 chances and brought former goaltender Kirk McLean and beloved mascot Fin to the Arena on Wednesday, March 27.

B次元官网网址淲e were just so excited,B次元官网网址� said Enderby Mayor Huck Galbraith. B次元官网网址淲e heard about the Canucks bringing some folks here late on Tuesday and we were able to wrangle some minor hockey players here.B次元官网网址�

The Enderby Arena was shut down for the season in early January after a refrigeration issue. ItB次元官网网址檚 impact is far-reaching.

B次元官网网址淲e have 250 players so we run multiple practices weekly,B次元官网网址� said Tracy Berrecloth, vice-president of the North Okanagan Minor Hockey Association. B次元官网网址淲ith the arena closing in January we lost five tournaments which is a big revenue generator not only for our team but for our association as we are a non-profit.B次元官网网址�

In addition to minor hockey, the local high schoolB次元官网网址檚 skills academy program was shut down for the season, along with the adjacent curling club.

B次元官网网址淒uring the winter time, one of the funnest things to do is to go skating,B次元官网网址� said Aaron Leon, president of Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn, a First Nations band that utilizes the arena. B次元官网网址淚 have little kids of my own and I wanted to get them skating this year, but we canB次元官网网址檛 as we have no arena so thatB次元官网网址檚 why it is crucial we win.B次元官网网址�

The win will be determined by public votes, which open at 6 a.m. on Friday, March 29 until Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m. The 32-hour voting window gives everyone the opportunity to vote as many times as you can.

B次元官网网址淏ragging rights are always great,B次元官网网址� said Berrecloth, when asked on what it would mean to win the contest. B次元官网网址淏ut, the funds to improve the arena would be fantastic for the community.B次元官网网址�

McLean, who is an ambassador for the Vancouver Canucks, pledged his vote for Enderby.

B次元官网网址淥f course IB次元官网网址檒l be voting for them,B次元官网网址� he told The Morning Star. B次元官网网址淭he Canucks are very proud to come out and try and do as much as possible to make Enderby win.

B次元官网网址淓nderby is a hockey town, the surrounding communities are a hockey town and they are all Vancouver Canucks fans,B次元官网网址� joked McLean. B次元官网网址淲e are the NHL team that runs the province and the community supports us, so we can get up and do this kind of stuff is a no-brainer at the end of the day.B次元官网网址�

Voting parties will take place on Friday, hosted at the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Childcare Centre, Work BC Building and Enderby Legion.

The winner will be announced Saturday at approximately 4:30 p.m. at the first intermission of the CBC-broadcasted NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres.

Visit to vote.

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