Hometown pride

Posted By CHELSEY ROMAIN, THE DAILY PRESS

Timmins' push to become Canada's Hockeyville is even being felt in Music City, USA.

As the clock ticks down on the vote for Kraft's 2010 Hockeyville competition's Top 5, Timmins native Steve Sullivan is urging the Nashville community to vote for his hometown. Sullivan, winner of the NHL's Masterton Trophy last year, is a star forward with the Nashville Predators.


On Twitter, Sullivan said he is "proud of my hometown of Timmins" and is urging others to support the city in the bid.

Those looking to help Timmins become Hockeyville have less than three days to make it happen.

Residents had less than a week to cast their votes, either by phone, online or text message. The city is trying to make it as easy as possible for those votes to be made.

Several voting stations have been set up in municipal buildings from one end of the city to the other for members of the public to vote online.

According to municipal communications co-ordinator Guy Lamarche, voting stations are currently up and running at City Hall, the Shania Twain Centre, the Timmins Public Library, the Whitney Arena, McIntyre Arena, Mountjoy Arena, Confederation Arena, the Sportsplex Arena and pool area and Timmins Inn and Suites.

"Based on e-mails that I have been getting, people have been very eager to cast that vote," said Lamarche. "Some are telling me they are casting as many as 100 votes."

In addition to helping the city come up with ways to grab people's attention, Lamarche himself puts away an hour each morning and evening to simply vote.

But with less than three days until voting ends, Lamarche said its a critical time, and if people want to see Timmins crowned Hockeyville 2010, they have to vote -- and once is not enough.

"Elections have been won and lost by one vote," he said. "You can't leave it to your neighbours."

Rumours have swirled that last year's winner received as many as three million votes. Is Timmins capable of reaching these high numbers?

"If other communities have been able to achieve these types of milestones, why can't we?" said Lamarche. "The outreach effort here, in my opinion, has gone viral."

Mass e-mails have been sent out, online social networking such as Facebook and Twitter has sent the message

through the city and beyond.

Residents with friends and relatives even outside of Canada have been called upon to help Timmins win this title.

Businesses in Timmins, such as East Side Marios, Boston Pizza, Northern Sports and Timmins Building Supplies have changed their business signs to encourage voting to take place.

"Everywhere you go and everyone you talk to, Hockeyville seems to be in the fore-f ront of the conversation, even before the weather," said Lamarche. "When was the last time we saw this community come together, almost like an extended family to win something?"

As part of the Top 12 finalists, Timmins' McIntyre was chosen and Lamarche said it's a place that not only holds a lot of history to the residents of the city, but to the region as well.

The Mac was one of the early places to see women's hockey, artificial ice and hockey greats. The competition is not only a way to showcase that history, but also give a little something back to the residents who have supported the building over the years.

"What a great opportunity to allow families into a whole new world of NHL hockey, who were not able to see it before because of lack of vacationary budget or whatnot," said Lamarche, referring to just one aspect of the grand prize, that also includes $100,000 in renovations.

"This is about Timmins and its people."

Voters have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday to cast their vote at www.cbc.ca/hockeyville, call 1- 866-533-8066 or text "VOTE TIMMINS" to 111888.

Online and phone votes can be cast as many times as you like, with a limit of 25 texts per day.

http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2499341

-- Edited by Tommy on Friday 19th of March 2010 05:11:36 PM

If Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia doesn't make it to the finals then I will vote for Timmins.  Salmon River, Nova Scotia won in 2006 so I doubt if it will come this way again.  So GO TIMMINS!!

2006 season

The inaugural 2006 season of Hockeyville was won by the community of Salmon River, Nova Scotia on June 11. Salmon River's entry, the "Deuville Rink", beat 450 other entries from across Canada. Episodes for the 2006 season were shot in arenas in different cities throughout Ontario, with the final episode shot in Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena & Skating Centre in Hamilton, Ontario.

The NHL exhibition game was held September 25 at the Colchester Legion Stadium in the neighbouring town of Truro (the Deuville Rink being too small); the Montreal Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators 7-3.

Volunteers needed if Timmins cracks Top 5

Posted By CHELSEY ROMAIN THE DAILY PRESS

Attention all hockey lovers: The city wants you.

Online or phone voting will be part of the city's powerplay this weekend should Timmins crack the Top 5 finalists list for Kraft Hockeyville 2010.

The local steering committee is looking for volunteers to help ensure as many votes as possible are cast for Timmins, if the city makes the cut. The Top 5 will be announced during the second game of the Hockey Night in Canada doubleheader tonight on CBC.


Voting stations are being set up in case Timmins makes the final round.

The Days Inn and Conference Centre has 50 computers and 10 phone lines ready to go, but committee members are hoping enough volunteers come out to keep voting going 24 hours a day until the competition closes March 31.

"We're looking for any and all volunteers," said city clerk Jack Watson. "Seniors, people with-o ut work right now, those working shift work ... we'll take an hour, two hours, whatever they can provide us to vote."

The committee hopes local businesses will create a competition between each other with challenges to see who can cast the most votes.

"They can challenge each other to put in an hour or two at one of the voting stations and try to outdo the other," Watson said. "We'd like to see all businesses come out and support our quest for Hockeyville.

"It will enable us to have an NHL exhibition hockey game at The Mac, which hasn't been here for some 50 years."

The city has also created a new website dedicated to its quest for hockeyville.

On the new site, www.hockeyvilletimmins.com, voters can find direct links to the CBC website to vote, view background stories and photos.

In order to gain as many votes as possible, the strategy of vote, and vote often has been implemented. Residents are encouraged to inform everyone they know about the competition and encourage them to show support.

Voting can be done in various ways and people can vote as many times as they like. To vote, either log onto www.cbcsports.ca/hockeyville or call toll-free 1-866-533-8066.

Anyone wishing to volunteer at either the Days Inn or the Shania Twain Centre voting stations are asked to call the STC at 360-2619.

http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2511231

-- Edited by Tommy on Saturday 27th of March 2010 11:07:34 AM

Too Bad Timmins didn't make it!

Who will be crowned Kraft Hockeyville 2010? The Top 5 have been announced and it’s time to vote for your favourite community!

Top 5 Communities