West Lorne hoping to become 'Hockeyville'
It was an emotional community gathering in West Lorne Friday morning, as the widow of Mayor Duncan McPhail, who recently passed away, cast the first vote in the town’s bid to win the Kraft Hockeyville national contest.
“He got an email saying that West Lorne had made the final four,” Norma McPhail explained to the crowd of local dignitaries and hockey families. “So he did know, and I know he’s cheering us on. So let’s do it for Duncan, and go Comets go.”
The Kraft Hockeyville contest comes with a grand prize of $250,000 in arena upgrades and an opportunity to host a pre-season NHL game.
West Lorne Minor Hockey President Kevin Summers told CTV News, facility upgrades are long overdue.
“We’ve got a tonne of kids in our U7 program,” he explained. “Quite often we’ve got four teams trying to share two dressing rooms. We’ve only got four full-size dressing rooms,” he said.
West Lorne’s campaign is also getting some star power. In a video posted to YouTube, NHL star and former London Knight Bo Horvat said, “I had so many fond memories of playing in West Lorne and being a West Lorne Comet... it was a really special time for me, building friendships... all the public skates.... I really enjoyed those times.”
The family of the late Duncan-McPhail speaks at West Elgin arena on March 31, 2023. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)
Along with West Lorne, finalists are Saint-Anselme, Que., Maple Ridge, B.C., Ste. Anne, Man.
West Elgin Councillor Bill Denning pointed out that West Lorne is the smallest of the communities in the running, but it’s something he said they’re proud of.
“West Lorne is the underdog in this competition, but just because we’re small does not mean we’re not mighty,” he said.
Voting opened Friday morning and closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.