Calumet vies for Hockeyville USA title

CALUMET — Calumet is home to the oldest continuously used indoor hockey rink in North America. And with a rich hockey history, the village is staking its claim to the title of Hockeyville USA.

Calumet threw their hat into the ring — or, rather, into the rink — for the Kraft Hockeyville USA competition. It includes a prize of $150,000 for rink improvements and it will bring an NHL pre–season game to the winning area.

To show everyone’s support for Calumet, community members and students from the Calumet–Laurium–Keweenaw Schools participated in a group photo in front of the storied Calumet Colosseum on Red Jacket Road.

The Kraft Hockeyville USA contest involves nominating a rink in the community. Because there’s so much hockey history in the Upper Peninsula, several U.P. communities are competing for the title. There are several reasons why Calumet hopes to get the nod.

Calumet Hockey Association Board Member John Carroll said, “We have a plan in place to replace our boards and glass which are in dire need of replacement. The community the last couple years has been really great supporting us as far as getting a new ice plant, getting the new Zamboni and now this is just kind of the last thing we need.”

Houghton is looking for people to “PACK the DEE” for their photo op at Dee Stadium at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Nominations must be made at krafthockeyville.com by March 18th.