Kraft Hockey Goes On Names Top Five Hockey Supporters in Pacific Region

Program awards $180,000 in total to Minor Hockey Associations in Golden, Revelstoke, Trail, Gibsons and Vanderhoof, B.C.

VANCOUVER, April 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Nearly 450,000 votes were cast as Canadians in the Pacific region rallied to support minor hockey and select their favourite local hockey supporters who help to make the game go on in their communities. Curt Thorne, from Golden, B.C., received the most votes and is being recognized today with a $100,000 award to the Golden Minor Hockey Association. The other four inspiring Canadians earning a $20,000 award for their selected minor hockey associations include Dennis Berarducci from Revelstoke, Ken Koshey from Trail, Brenda Rowe from Gibsons and Marty Floris from Vanderhoof.

Pacific Region Grand Prize Winner:

Curt Thorne, Golden, B.C., Golden Minor Hockey Association
Coaching, announcing, fundraising and designing programs are just a few of the ways that Curt Thorne contributes to minor hockey in Golden. From making sure the kids are having fun to inspiring others in the community to volunteer as well, Thorne is an influential member of his hockey community.

The four local hockey supporters being recognized with a $20,000 award each for their selected minor hockey associations are:

Dennis Berarducci, Revelstoke, B.C., Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association
Dennis Berarducci has been involved with the Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association since 1975 and his efforts have not gone unnoticed. A recipient of the Heather Ward Memorial Trophy for his volunteerism, Berarducci was also awarded a Life Member's Award by B.C. Hockey. As a coach, score keeper and fundraiser, Berarducci believes that ordinary people can make significant contributions in their communities.

Ken Koshey, Trail, B.C., Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association
Ken Koshey loves the game of hockey and has been fostering that same passion for the game in the kids he has coached over the past 40 years. Well known within his community, Koshey has encouraged countless young players throughout the years, helping build confidence and ensuring that every season is full of fun.

Brenda Rowe, Gibsons, B.C., Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association
For Brenda Rowe, hockey is more than just a game. In addition to serving as fundraising director for the Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association, Rowe also teaches young players to give back to their community through volunteer initiatives like Christmas Hamper programs, blanket drives for the homeless and clothing and food drives. Often working with little to no resources, Rowe ensures that children in the Sunshine Coast are able to benefit from the lessons learned through hockey.

Marty Floris, Vanderhoof, B.C., Vanderhoof Minor Hockey Association
As a coach and mentor for various teams within the Vanderhoof and Districts Minor Hockey Association, Marty Floris helps his players improve their skills and emphasizes the importance of being part of a team. From running a hockey skills academy in conjunction with the local school board to assisting with skating programs and referee clinics, Floris dedicates countless hours to ensuring that hockey goes on in Vanderhoof.

"We all know how passionate Canadians are about hockey. And that passion is taken to a whole other level when it comes to grassroots hockey.  Whether it's keeping score in Revelstoke, or running a hockey skills academy in Vanderhoof, these passionate individuals help bring communities together through their love and dedication to the sport and its young players," said Jack Hewitt, vice president of marketing insight & services, Kraft Canada. "We are proud to recognize those in the Pacific Region and across the country who are at the heart of this nation's sport and help to make a difference in their communities."

"We know that $180,000 will make an incredible impact on the winning hockey communities, helping them to assist many more future hockey stars through additional programming and facility upgrades," said Bob Nicholson, president and CEO, Hockey Canada. "Kraft Hockey Goes On put the spotlight on these individuals and gave them the credit and recognition they so rarely receive."

Through the program, Kraft Hockey Goes On is awarding $1 million to Hockey Canada-affiliated minor hockey associations, including $100,000 awarded to Hockey Canada's Learn to Skate programs.

Beginning on January 21^st, Canadians were invited to share their passion for the game by recognizing local supporters who make hockey happen in communities across Canada by entering a nomination at www.krafthockeygoeson.ca. A panel of judges then selected the top 100 finalists, who moved on to a voting period on March 23 and 24.

The Kraft Hockey Goes On partners - Christie, TSN, RDS and Hockey Canada - would like to thank and congratulate all of the nominees that participated in the program.

To view a congratulatory video from TSN, please visit www.facebook.com/krafthockeygoeson.

ABOUT KRAFT FOODS GROUP
Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: KRFT) is North America's fourth largest consumer packaged food and beverage company, with revenues of approximately $18 billion in 2012.  Launched as a public and independent company on Oct. 1, 2012, the new Kraft has the spirit of a startup and the soul of a powerhouse.  The company has an unrivaled portfolio of products in the beverages, cheese, refrigerated meals and grocery categories. Its iconic brands include Kraft, Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Planters and JELL-O. Kraft's 25,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada have a passion for making the foods and beverages people love. Kraft Foods Group is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 index. For more information, visit www.kraft.com and www.facebook.com/kraft.

SOURCE: Kraft Canada

Jennifer Zed at Edelman
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416-849-2839