Small community northwest of Toronto announced as Kraft Hockeyville finalist

The North Dufferin Community Centre in Honeywood, Ont. (Source: MelancthonTownship.ca)

A community in Dufferin County was announced as a top four finalist this weekend for the 2025 Kraft Hockeyville competition.

Honeywood, Ont. was nominated to receive $250,000 for arena upgrades and a chance to host a National Hockey League pre-season game. The community is approximately 30 kilometres west of Angus and 100 kilometres northwest of Toronto Pearson International Airport.

In their bid, the Honeywood community stated that their aging arena – Honeywood Arena, Northern Dufferin Community Centre – is known as the ‘coldest rink in Ontario,’ adding that it is in ‘great need’ of repair.

The rink has been part of Honeywood’s hockey spirit since 1965 and is a home for Honeywood Minor Hockey.

Crossfield, Alta., Saint-Boniface, Que., and Lower Sackville, N.S. were the other three finalists announced in the competition.

Each of the top four finalists will receive $10,000 in brand new hockey equipment, and the three runner-up communities will be awarded $25,000 for arena upgrades.

Voting for the winner opens at 9 a.m. on April 4 and closes at 5 p.m. on April 5.