The ongoing NHL lockout has led Kraft Canada to cancel its 2013 Kraft Hockeyville program, and invest in a new program called Kraft Hockey Goes On.
It will award $1 million to Hockey Canada-affiliated minor hockey associations across the country.
Kraft Hockey Goes On will celebrate and acknowledge local hockey volunteers and also provide them with a way to give back to their community.
The program will recognize the top 5 volunteers from participating communities across Canada, and award each winning individual's local hockey association with $100,000.
It will also highlight an additional 20 volunteers and award their local hockey associations with $20,000, as well as provide another $100,000 to Hockey Canada to distribute to local Learn to Skate programs.
"There are many things that help set up a game of hockey, but the magic of the sport is the people who make it happen," says Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson.
"It's the spirit of the Canadian communities that makes this sport so special. You feel it when you catch a game at a local arena. That's what hockey is about."
Communities can nominate local hockey volunteers by going to www.KraftHockeyGoesOn.ca from Jan. 21 to March 8, 2013. A panel will determine the top 100 individuals.
Then all Canadians can vote for their favourite local hockey volunteer, starting March 23, with the top 5 winning communities to be announced March 30.
According to Kraft Canada, a new survey reveals that 77 percent of Canadians believe that local and community hockey could not survive without the efforts of dedicated volunteers in communities across the country.
To find out how to get involved in your community, visit www.facebook.com/KraftHockeyGoesOn.