KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE 2024 TO FEATURE OTTAWA SENATORS AND PITTSBURGH PENGUINS IN NHL PRESEASON MATCHUP

TORONTO, ON (June 15, 2024) – Today, Kraft Heinz, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL®) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced their official 2024 NHL preseason matchup celebrating the Kraft Hockeyville 2024 winning community Elliot Lake, Ontario. The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will face off on Sunday, September 29, 2024. The details of the preseason game, including location and broadcast timing, are currently being finalized and will be announced at a later date, along with other important community event details.

“Now spanning 18 years, Kraft Hockeyville’s roots dig deep into Canada’s hockey legacy. We feel privileged to be a part of Elliot Lake’s journey and witness how hockey unites their community — on the ice and beyond,” said Simon Laroche, President of Kraft Heinz Canada. “We are pleased to announce the preseason game in partnership with the NHL and NHLPA and celebrate the heartwarming story of our winning city with local hockey fans and players alike.”  

In addition to their NHL® preseason game for winning Kraft Hockeyville 2024, Elliot Lake received $250,000 for upgrades to its local arena, Centennial Arena, and $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.

Elliot Lake is a resilient community where hockey has been a constant source of inspiration. Despite many challenges, particularly after the closure of mines in the early 1990s, their community has redefined itself and the population continues to grow. However, recent hardships impacted their recreational and competitive hockey leagues, including their junior hockey team, forcing them to relocate due to the closure of the Centennial Arena following significant structural issues with their roof. This has not only impacted the city financially but has affected the mental health and well-being of the children in the community. Winning Kraft Hockeyville 2024 provides the resources needed to support the reopening of Centennial Arena, offering the city the home arena they deserve while continuing to foster hockey’s hopeful spirit in Elliot Lake.

“Northern Ontario maintains a rich hockey history,” said Ottawa Senators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios. “We’re looking forward to showcasing both our team and our brand to the many passionate fans in their communities as part of this fall’s Kraft Hockeyville events.”

“The Pittsburgh Penguins are excited to participate in Kraft Hockeyville this fall,” said Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas. “Having grown up in Northern Ontario, I understand how impactful the event will be for the people of Elliot Lake and the surrounding area. The investment in Elliott Lake and the game itself provide the Penguins with a great opportunity to contribute to the growth of the sport in an area of the world that truly loves ice hockey!”

Kraft Hockeyville has established a longstanding commitment to building strong communities across the country through the love of the game of hockey. The program has awarded over $5.1 million to 101 communities over the past 18 years in support of revitalizing Canada’s aging sports and recreation infrastructure.

For complete program details, please visit krafthockeyville.ca.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up mandatory minicamp or organized team activities this week at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and the makings of a strong squad are clear with some stars emerging from the fray.

After four weeks of practices, Nick Herbig, Jaylen Warren, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III have looked like they are ready to lift the Steelers with massive seasons after strong starts in preseason practices. As the offense looks for a bonafide No. 2 option next to George Pickens and the running game figures to feature prominently, Warren, Jefferson and Austin making strides are critical for the Steelers.

But there are some off-the-field topics that had to be addressed. Najee Harris was absent for the first day of minicamp with approval from head coach Mike Tomlin. Then he spent the next two days on the sidelines as a non-participant. Whether or not this relates to Harris’ contract situation is unclear but Steelers general manager Omar Khan said that the team is still open to possibly signing Harris to a long-term deal, despite declining to pick up his fifth-year contract extension.

The Steelers head into a break now but the news never stops. There are still plenty of preparations to make and details to sort out before they arrive at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania to get their 2024 season underway.

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