Stirling-Rawdon is Kraft Hockeyville 2012

By: Gail Paquette

The cheers that filled the Stirling arena at approximately 10:45 p.m. Saturday evening could be heard throughout the country.
“I thought the roof was going to come off,” said Stirling Kraft Hockeyville chairperson Cindy Brandt.
After weeks of campaigning and national voting, Canada picked Stirling-Rawdon as Hockeyville 2012 with nearly four million votes. The community celebrated while it was announced on Hockey Night in Canada.
“Every step was exciting. When we made the final 15, we thought wouldn’t it be something if we could make the top five. After that it was, ‘We have come this far, wouldn’t it be something if we won,” said Darrin Heasman, member of the Stirling Hockeyville committee. Heasman was part of the 10-person committee that led the enthusiastic town on the way to winning the coveted title.
Over 762 communities were involved from the start and 17.3 million votes were cast. In the final three days, Kelowna, B.C., and Stirling shared a total of 6.5 million votes.
Stirling earned almost four million of those votes, finishing more than one million ahead of Kelowna, (2,789,594 votes) and Amos, Quebec (2,207,511 votes).
“I don’t know how we got those votes but this town is passionate about hockey and this community came together. The possibilities here are endless,” Brant told CBC Sports’ Steve Armitage in front of the loud crowd following Saturday’s announcement.
“This means we can finish what Barry started. The renovations include a new entrance, dressing rooms and a training room all under Barry Wilson’s name.”
Wilson was the arena manager for 35 years. Thousands came out to his funeral last spring.
“When The Stirling Blues all lined up and formed a colour guard, Cindy saw what the community was capable of doing – she said ‘We can do this,’” said Heasman.
At that point, they assembled a team to enter Kraft Hockeyville 2012 with the hope of upgrading the Stirling District Recreation Centre, a mission started by Wilson.
“The arena is the hub of a small town. Everybody comes to the arena,” said Heasman.”It was a big deal and one that Stirling will not soon forget.”
The community will host a 2012-2013 NHL pre-season game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets this fall; it will receive $100,000 in arena upgrade money from Kraft Canada; and CBC Hockey Night in Canada will broadcast from their community. The NHL, NHLPA, CBC and Kraft Canada will arrive in Stirling April 8 and spend three days admiring the sites and an appearance of the Stanley Cup is sure to continue the spirit of being crowned.
“I believed from the beginning but I would never had believed that this arena would be this full of people all here for the same reason. That’s what happens when you have a strong community,” said Heasman. “We all love our hockey and we all love our community centre but what we really love is each other and the town of Stirling.”
There have been seven communities thus far to enjoy similar feelings since the event started.
“Kraft Hockeyville inspires communities to rally together to display their passion for hockey and civic pride.” said Gary Bettman, commissioner of the NHL. A record was set with this year with 17.3 million votes.
“Its been a great thing for the whole community whether you play hockey not, everyone got to be a part of it, everyone contributed, “said Heasman.