Paul Bissonnette has made a name for himself as one of the most entertaining voices in hockey media, and now he’s lending that voice to something a little bigger than the game itself. The former NHLer and current analyst is teaming up with Kraft Hockeyville during the program’s 20th anniversary-an initiative that’s been revitalizing community rinks across Canada for two decades.
This year, the stakes are higher than ever. Kraft Hockeyville will award over $1 million in community prizing, with a new format that ensures every province and territory has a shot at meaningful support.
One winner from each of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories will receive $50,000 for rink upgrades. The national runner-up will take home $100,000, and the grand prize winner?
$250,000 and the right to host an NHL preseason game-a moment that can energize an entire town.
Nominations are open from January 1 to March 1, 2026, and Bissonnette isn’t just a spokesperson-he’s a believer. He’s seen the impact firsthand. Back in 2016, he suited up for the Los Angeles Kings in a Kraft Hockeyville game in Lumby, British Columbia, taking on a young Connor McDavid and the Oilers in a preseason matchup that brought NHL-level excitement to a small-town rink.
“I knew what Kraft Hockeyville was. You’d see the clips on TV-communities getting their barns fixed up, fans going nuts.
But being in it? That was something else,” Bissonnette recalled.
“The energy, the pride, just how much it meant to that community-it hit home. That’s when I really got it.”
Bissonnette’s passion for the program runs deep. He’s quick to highlight just how much it’s done over the years-$5.5 million donated to 105 communities and counting. And for many of those towns, the local rink isn’t just a building-it’s the heart of the community.
“You think about these smaller communities-there’s the church, and there’s the rink. That’s where the stories happen. That’s where the memories are made,” he said.
For Bissonnette, it’s personal. He grew up playing for the Southern Tier Admirals AAA program in Welland, Ontario, before being drafted 31st overall in the 2001 OHL Priority Selection. His path to the NHL started in community rinks just like the ones Kraft Hockeyville is trying to preserve.
“I was lucky. In Southern Ontario, we had rinks everywhere-Fort Erie, Welland, all within reach.
Some were newer, some were a little beat up, but we had access,” he said. “Other kids across the country don’t have that.
Some places, the next rink is 100, 150 kilometers away. That’s why this matters.
That’s why I’m in.”
Bissonnette’s second act in hockey-his media career-has been just as impactful in a different way. He’s become a bridge between generations, connecting with younger players in a way that feels genuine and refreshing. One standout moment came last summer when he sat down with New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer, a top prospect with a powerful story.
“He’s 18, he’s a phenom-but he’s still just a kid,” Bissonnette said. “That’s what I love about this job. I get to talk to these guys, hear their stories, and remind people they’re human.”
Schaefer’s story, in particular, left a mark. He lost his mother just before the NHL Draft, and Bissonnette helped him open up about that journey-how he dealt with the grief, how he stayed focused, and how he’s using that experience to fuel his career.
“You never know who’s listening. Maybe there’s another player out there going through the same thing.
If Schaefer’s story helps just one person, that’s powerful. That’s what keeps me going,” Bissonnette said.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a chat with Bissonnette without some Leafs talk. A proud Toronto fan, he weighed in on the team’s struggles during a recent three-game road trip that ended without a win. While the criticism has been loud, especially toward Auston Matthews, Bissonnette isn’t buying into the negativity.
“I get it, people want results. But the slander on Matthews?
It’s over the top,” he said. “He’s had to carry the load without Mitch Marner, and the team’s been hit with injuries-especially on the back end with guys like Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev missing time.
And let’s not forget the goaltending issues.”
Since that conversation, the Leafs have continued to stumble through January, but Matthews has been a bright spot, leading the NHL in 5-on-5 goals during the month. It’s a reminder that even when the team isn’t clicking, their superstar center continues to deliver.
At the end of the day, Bissonnette’s involvement with Kraft Hockeyville is about more than nostalgia or media appearances. It’s about giving back to the game that shaped him-and ensuring that the next generation of players, no matter where they’re from, has a place to lace up their skates and chase their dreams.
“This isn’t just about fixing rinks,” he said. “It’s about keeping communities together.
It’s about giving kids a place to fall in love with hockey. That’s what it’s always been about.”