Taber, Alta., east of Lethbridge, was crowned Kraft Hockeyville 2026 on Saturday night.
Taber now has the opportunity to host an NHL Pre-Season game and receive $250,000 for upgrades to the Taber Community Centre.
Taber and Tumbler Ridge, B.C., competed for $250,000, with the runner-up receiving $100,000.
The winner was determined by online voting that took place over Friday and Saturday, and was announced during a National Hockey League game Saturday night.
“For more than a century, Kraft Heinz has been enriching Canadians’ lives through food and the moments of connection it brings—both at the table and in communities across the country,” said Simon Laroche, president of Kraft Heinz Canada, in a news release after the announcement.
“Now, in our milestone 20th anniversary year of Kraft Hockeyville, we’ve seen just how deeply local rinks matter—not only as places to play, but as the heart of communities. From stories of resilience to moments of connection, this year’s communities reminded us that hockey is about far more than the game—it’s about showing up for one another. We’re proud to help bring this spirit to life in rinks across Canada,” added Laroche.
Tumbler Ridge is recovering after a devastating mass shooting on Feb. 10, when eight victims were shot dead, including 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield, who played hockey with the Tumbler Ridge Raptors.
Another Raptors player, Maya Gebala, was also seriously injured in the attack. Late last month, Gebala was transferred out of the intensive care unit and will now focus on recovery and rehab.
In Taber, residents lost their only two ice rinks after a Zamboni explosion. The repairs to rebuild the two rinks are expected to cost about $11 million.
The town said propane leaking from the Zamboni led to the explosion, after a nearby heater ignited the gas. A fireball caused extensive damage, including shattered glass, a damaged roof and toppled concrete walls.
— With files from Canadian Press