![["Will Tuplin stopped by the O'Leary Legion to join the voting frenzy there."]](https://saltwire.imgix.net/PI-AXX-XXXX2017-KHV-1.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=enhance%2Ccompress%2Cformat)
The win will see the community receive the Kraft Hockeyville trophy as well as the opportunity to host a 2017-18 NHL pre-season exhibition game this fall between the Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils.
The western PE.I. community beat out the arena in Ituna, Saskatchewan, for the title.
Both arenas will receive $100 thousand for upgrades.
Crowds filled the O’Leary Community Sports Centre Saturday afternoon in anticipation of the announcement.
The announcement was made by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman during Saturday’s broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada.
The broadcast showed an ecstatic reaction from the packed crowd in O’Leary.
Della Sweet, member of the O’Leary Kraft Hockeyville committee, spoke about the town’s experience in the competition.
For the past couple months, members of the community both young and old campaigned hard to get votes for the town.
“We’re so proud to help bring (the kids) these memories that they’ll cherish throughout their days,” said Sweet.
Earlier during the broadcast, Sweet described how the campaign brought together the community.
“This journey has been amazing. It’s ignited and re-ignited our community pride, our Island pride and our Maritime pride,” she said. “It’s just been a journey of igniting people’s spirits, bringing people together, making connections and re-connecting with family and friends.”
Although the announcement wasn’t made until Saturday evening, P.E.I. residents began celebrating much earlier in the day.
About a dozen West Prince hockey teams were paraded into the arena Saturday afternoon to get the party started.
With a number of family activities available at the area, the party continued well into the evening.
A separate licensed party is also running next door at the O’Leary Curling Club until midnight.
In the past 11 years, the Hockeyville initiative has brought more than $3.8 million to 63 communities across Canada that demonstrate passion for the sport.
This year, more than 3,000 communities made a submission to the competition.
