Hockeyville
(From left) Mayor Jerrod Schafer, Broncos Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb, Ottawa Senators Forward Zack Smith, Josh Litzenberger Sales Representative for Kraft Canada.

Swift Current has received a big 100th birthday present for their efforts in Kraft Hockeyville this winter.

Local dignitaries were on hand at the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame Tuesday morning as the city received the $25,000 prize from Kraft Canada for making it to the semi-finals of the competition.

"Summer is here, maybe not in weather, but it takes you back to winter and the fun we've had," said Swift Current Mayor Jerrod Schafer. "It was a great community initiative and we had a great partnership with the Broncos and schools, and lots of social media activity, so we've had lots of fun. We appreciate Kraft coming out and telling stories of what hockey means to communities all across the country, and we were fortunate to share our story."

This week is Swift Current's Centennial Homecoming week and it was a hockey homecoming of sorts at the presentation, with former Swift Current Bronco and current Ottawa Senators Forward Zack Smith on hand.

"It's always nice coming back," Smith said. "I enjoy spending summers here, and what Kraft is doing is helping a lot of communities, and it's pretty exciting to see."

"Our partners and guys like Zack embody everything kids dream about in Swift Current," Schafer added. "Obviously, it starts with wanting to play with the Broncos, and having guys like Zack be involved, and he embodies the other dream, which is getting to the NHL, so all in all, a pretty good story."

The money will go to help fund accessibility upgrades at the Credit Union iPlex and build a permanent memorial for the four Broncos killed in the bus crash of 1986.

Schafer says they are in discussions to determine ways to generate more funds for the project.