Does Merritt have what it takes to become the next Hockeyville? A group of locals sure think so and they’re doing all they can to make sure Merritt gets noticed before the clock runs out.

Each year, the Kraft-sponsored Hockeyville contest searches for Canada’s most hockey-connected community and this year Merritt is in the running.

“I think that hockey is really important in a town like Merritt and it’s time that we show people that,” said Centennials Marketing Manager Rachael Sanders who registered the community in the online contest. “I’ve been aware of Kraft Hockeyville for a couple of years and I thought it would be a really good thing for Merritt because it would coincide with the 40th season of the [Merritt Centennials.”

The winner of the Canada-wide contest will have more than just bragging rights. In addition to receiving $100,000 for upgrades to the local arena, the winning city will host a 2012/13 NHL Pre-Season Game at their arena as well as a special CBC Hockey Night in Canada broadcast from the community. Kraft Canada will also award the four runner-up communities with $25,000 each for arena upgrades.

During the first stage of the contest, which closes Jan. 31, community members have the opportunity to demonstrate their passion for hockey and their hometown pride by submitting hockey-related stories and photos online.

A panel of judges will then consider these submissions to select the Top 15 communities. The final winner will then be determined by an open vote, online or by phone.

As of Friday, Merritt was one of 134 qualified communities across the country vying for the grand prize and the title of Kraft Hockeyville 2012, and local hockey fan Michelle Barton believes winning is possible for Merritt.

“The more support we have, the better chance we have to make the Top 15,” said Barton. “Angel’s [Animal Rescue] won the Pepsi Challenge, so that shows that a community this size can win.”

After watching hockey on T.V. most of her life, Barton recently went to her first live Centennials game – the Cents beat Chilliwack 5-1- and now she says she is hooked.

When she found out that Merritt had qualified for the Hockeyville competition Barton quickly got involved submitting photos online and spreading the word.

“I’m just flying by the seat of my pants,” she said.

“Hockey is such a huge thing in Canada, and so this is not just about the arena, it’s a Canadian thing.”

Barton and Sanders said they are hoping that hockey-loving members of the community will join the online community at www.krafthockeyville.cbc.ca to submit photos and essays that will help the judges see that Merritt deserves to be in the Top 15.

“This would be a great way to celebrate having a Junior A hockey team in Merritt – the longest continuously running franchise in British Columbia,” said Sanders.