Helen Urlacher holds the sign and hopes Hockeyville is awarded to Wilkie in 2019 (submitted/Helen Urlacher)

By Brady Lang

time to vote

Wilkie looking for final push in Kraft Hockeyville 2019

Mar 28, 2019 | 12:02 PM

It’s been a long road for the town of Wilkie’s rink.

The town of 1,300, which is just under 60 kilometers southwest of the Battlefords was devastated by a fire to their rink in 2015, when an electrical malfunction left the rink unplayable for the season. Helen Urlacher was working the provincial election that night at the town hall. She remembers being the last person out, when she noticed the fire.

When she recalled the event, she remembered seeing the service road being empty around the arena. Within minutes of the town finding out the news, the service road was filled with onlookers, watching the rink go up in flames. As they awaited the fire department, she said you could hear a pin drop.

“It was heartbreaking to watch everyone [see] their rink burn,” she said. “The town stood still. It was heartbreaking.”

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After, the neighbouring community of Unity opened its doors so the historic Wilkie Outlaws program could continue for the rest of the 2015-16 season.

The following year, after the repairs were concluded, Wilkie locals could watch hockey again in their own barn. It still hurts looking back, Urlacher said, but they want to continue building that legacy of hockey in the small community.

Recently, Wilkie applied for Kraft Hockeyville. The grand prize of the contest is $250,000, $10,000 for the Hockey Association for new equipment, and the host opportunity for a preseason NHL game. The town previously won $25,000 by making it into the top 10 in 2017.

“Wilkie is determined to be the 13^th man of Kraft Hockeyville, as we’re the 13^th man in football. It’s been pretty exciting so far,” she said.

In terms of what they would do if they did win the grand prize, Urlacher did have some ideas to get some work done in the rink.

“The visitors and minor hockey dressing rooms and washrooms really need attention. They haven’t been touched since the rink was built in 1972,” she said adding the stands could use more seats, and the glass between the ice surface and lobby should be replaced.

Wilkie has also been getting support from some notable figures. Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele gave his backing behind the town.

Voting begins tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. online. There are voting stations throughout the community as well. Voting closes at 6:30 p.m. the following night.

A Sportsnet camera crew will film when the final announcement will be made during the senior provincial final between the Wilkie Outlaws and Carnduff. The announcement will happen between 8:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. during the game’s first intermission. A social will also be held in the community dance hall.

Wilkie is up against Renous, New Brunswick, Rich Valley, Alberta and Saint-Polycarpe, Quebec.

Voting is through the Kraft Hockeyville website, and will be open for 32 hours.

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brady.lang@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @BradyLangBFN