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TABER — A southern Alberta community that lost its only two ice rinks after a Zamboni explosion has been named the Kraft Hockeyville 2026 winner.
Taber, Alta., was one of two finalists, along with Tumbler Ridge, B.C., vying for the prize this year, which comes with $250,000 for arena upgrades.
The winner was determined by online voting that took place over Friday and Saturday, and was announced by National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman during Sportsnet’s “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcast on Saturday night.
People in Taber’s Community Centre Auditorium, many of them children wearing hockey jerseys, jumped and cheered on TV when the news was delivered.
As the winner, Taber also has an opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game in the fall of 2027, while Tumbler Ridge will receive $100,000 as runner-up.
The town said propane leaking from the Zamboni led to the explosion in December, after a nearby heater ignited the gas, and that repairs to rebuild the two rinks are expected to cost about $11 million.
“When we lost our rink we knew we had to bring it back better than ever, and we did it. Today we did it,” Taber spokeswoman Meghan Brennan said on Saturday night’s broadcast.
“Thank you to Taberites, thank you to Albertans, thank you to Canadians, and thank you to Tumbler Ridge for being an amazing competitor with us.”
A news release from Kraft Heinz Canada said the Taber Community Centre, where the damaged rinks are located, has been a cornerstone of local life for more than 50 years and is home to teams like the Oil Kings and AA Golden Suns. It’s also a hub for games, tournaments and local events.
Tumbler Ridge, meanwhile, 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.
“We didn’t take home the win this time, but what an incredible journey it’s been!” the District of Tumbler Ridge posted on Facebook on Saturday night.
“Congratulations to Taber on their well-deserved win. It was a great competition, and we’re proud to have been part of it alongside such strong communities.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2026.
The Canadian Press
