Blackstock named Ontario winner in Kraft Hockeyville 2026 contest

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: The small North Durham community of Blackstock is celebrating national recognition, after being named Ontario’s provincial winner in the 2026 edition of the Kraft Hockeyville competition.

The announcement was made during the March 14th broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada, placing the Blackstock Arena among 13 communities across Canada selected as provincial and territorial winners.

The recognition means the historic rink is now in the running, for the grand prize of $250,000, for arena upgrades and the chance to host a National Hockey League preseason game, in the autumn of 2027, as part of the program’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

Blackstock Arena is one of Canada’s true hockey originals. First opening in 1933 as an outdoor skating pad, it holds the distinction of being the second-oldest ice surface in the country. Over the decades the facility developed alongside the community, with walls and a roof added in the 1950s. A refrigeration unit, installed in 1967, created the indoor arena generations continue to use today.

“The arena is where the heartbeat of our community lives,” said, Blackstock Minor Hockey volunteer, Mike Blakey. “Almost everyone in town, and many from surrounding areas, either learned how to skate here or played in one of the leagues which operate out of Blackstock.”

That community pride is especially evident on Saturdays, when youth hockey fills the ice and families pack the stands. Local resident and volunteer, Carrie Robinson said, the excitement extends well beyond the rink.

“You can see it in the excitement on our kids’ faces, every time they step onto the ice, and in the Blackstock hockey gear they proudly wear around the community,” Ms. Robinson said. “What started as a small community league has grown through word of mouth, and now families from surrounding areas are part of it.”

Throughout the week, the arena hosts family skates, stick-and-puck sessions, adult leagues, and curling, serving as the area’s only indoor recreation facility.

“This arena is truly the heart of our community,” Ms. Robinson added. “It’s where kids build friendships, spend time in a fun, family-oriented environment, and create lifelong memories. Parents value the welcoming, small-town feel [which] allows kids to enjoy the game without the pressure of an overly competitive atmosphere.”

For Mr. Blakey, the arena’s significance is also deeply personal. “I grew up playing hockey here, and now my daughter is skating and playing in the same arena,” he said. “It’s a community-based facility which welcomes everyone, from minor hockey to adult leagues and curling.”

If Blackstock is ultimately selected as the national Hockeyville winner, the $250,000 prize would go toward critical upgrades at the arena. The facility’s aging refrigeration system is in urgent need of replacement, to ensure the rink can continue operating safely and efficiently, while additional funding would support other necessary improvements.

“With the right investment, we can preserve this essential space,” Ms. Robinson explained. “It’s about making sure the arena remains a reliable hub for recreation, connection, and community life for years to come.”

Scugog Mayor Wilma Wotten said, the recognition highlights the strength of the community and the importance of the arena to residents throughout the area.

“Blackstock Arena has been a gathering place for generations,” Mayor Wotten said. “This recognition, in Kraft Hockeyville, reflects the pride and dedication of our volunteers and residents, who work tirelessly to keep this historic rink thriving. Our community is incredibly proud to see Blackstock representing Ontario.”

Each of the 13 provincial and territorial winners will receive $10,000 in new hockey equipment, from the National Hockey League Players' Association Goals & Dreams program and the National Hockey League/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund, with 11 communities also receiving $50,000 for rink upgrades.

Two finalists will be announced, on Saturday, March 21st, followed by a nationwide public vote, on April 3rd and 4th. The winner will be revealed during Hockey Night in Canada, on April 4th.

Launched in 2006, Kraft Hockeyville celebrates communities where hockey brings people together. Ontario has enjoyed success in the program before, with communities, such as: Stirling, in 2012; Lucan, in 2018; and West Lorne, in 2023, all winning the national title and using the funding to modernize their beloved local arenas.

As Blackstock’s campaign moves forward, residents say, the goal is to celebrate the arena’s remarkable history while ensuring it continues to serve future generations, just as it has for more than 90 years.