Vernon to host NHLers thanks to Lumby's Hockeyville win

Vernon will host an NHL preseason game between the L.A. Kings and Edmonton Oilers this October as part of Lumby’s Hockeyville win, organizers announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Angie Clowry, who was part of the organizing committee, said Vernon’s Kal Tire Place gets the game because it’s close to Lumby and satisfies the NHL’s requirements.

“The Kraft Hockeyville team selected the best venue based on their past nine years of experience in running Kraft Hockeyville events and determined that Kal Tire Place would deliver the best overall experience for the Lumby, B.C., community as a whole,” she said in a press release.

#KraftHockeyville is proud to call the community of Lumby home! Congratulations, you’ve earned it! pic.twitter.com/ZgXJStDGMo

— Kraft Hockeyville (@hockeyville) April 2, 2016

By winning Hockeyville earlier this year, Lumby also gets $100,000 toward improving its aging Pat Duke Memorial Arena.

The money will go toward building a girls’ change room.

Lumby also got the chance to “host” the NHL preseason game, but the arena had to meet certain standards for TV cameras, player and fan safety.

That’s why it was moved to Vernon, where Kal Tire place has hosted numerous big-league events and can host 3,500 for hockey. It is set for Oct. 2.

There has been some talk of Kelowna’s Prospera Place — and its nearly 6,900 seats — getting the game.

Hosting in Vernon, which is only about 26 kilometers from Lumby, gives the game added local flavour.

“(It’s) more than just a game,” Clowry said. “It’s a community celebration. … It will who be felt long after the puck drops.”

Tickets for the game will be free, but distributed based on a “supervised ticket lottery.”

First choice goes to minor hockey players in Lumby, then local ticket buyers based on postal code (starting with closest to Lumby).

Watch the Lumby Hockeyville Facebook page or KelownaNow for details.