Alberta First Nation makes top 10 for Kraft Hockeyville contest

A First Nations community in Alberta could soon see $100,000 worth of improvements to its local arena,and some NHL stars.

Maskwacis has been chosen as a top 10 finalist for the Kraft Hockeyville contest. If chosen as the winner, the community will receive $100,000 to upgrade the NeyaskweyahkArena and get to host a pre-season NHL game.

The arena is located in Ermineskin Cree Nation, which is one of the four communities that are part of Maskwacis, which was formerly known as Hobbema. Maskwacis is90 kilometres south of Edmonton.

• Two Alberta communities are finalists in Kraft Hockeyville

"I think it's a great honour hockey is huge in our community," said Ermineskin Chief Randy Ermineskin, who submitted the application to Kraft.

Hockey is so popular in Maskwacis that a few years ago a second rink had to be built to accommodate the 235 players from the community, Ermineskin said

The second arena was built in Samson Cree Nation, and is used by the communities that are part of Maskwacis.

Maskwacis is the only First Nation community included in the10 finalists for the competition. No First Nation has won the top prize since Kraft Hockeyville was first launched in 2006.

"It would begood for Kraft Hockeyville if they chose a First Nation I think it would be a tremendous boost for all First Nations across this land," said Ermineskin.

Winner hosts NHL game

For resident Ellis Rattlesnake, Maskwacis is an obvious choice for the grand prize, since it's always been a hockey community.

"[Hockey has] always been a part of my life. I started playing at the Bantam level at 13 years old," he said.

Now31 years old, heattends men's drop-in hockey at the arena almost every night. He hopes to carry on his passion for the sport by teaching his two children how to play.

Rattlesnake is also excited about the possibility of Maskwacis hosting an NHL game, should the community win the top prize.

"A lot of these kids want to meet NHL players, so that would be nice," said Rattlesnake. He believes that if the kids in Maskwacis could meet professional players, they would be inspired to continue with the sport.

Canadians have a chance to cast their votes for Kraft Hockeyville starting March 12 at 9:00 a.m ET. Voting closes March 13 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Two finalists will be chosen from the first round of voting, witha second round of voting for the top prize starting March 19.

The winning communitywill be announced April 1.