Sask.-born businessman puts up $25K to help Pense after Hockeyville loss

A businessman who grew up in Saskatchewan is encouraging others to match his $25,000 donation to help Pense upgrade its rink.

The town just west of Regina was one of four finalists in this year’s Kraft Hockeyville competition and was named a runner-up after the results were announced Saturday evening.

No town in Saskatchewan has ever won the competition.

Last year, Wilkie also fell short. As a runner-up, the town still received $25,000 as a consolation prize from Kraft.

Canadian businessman and philanthropist Brett Wilson grew up in North Battleford, so he knows a thing or two about life in Saskatchewan. When he heard about Wilkie’s 2019 loss, he decided to help out.

Wilson, known for his role on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, matched the $25,000 Wilkie received from Kraft.

The town, he says, was grateful.

“The response I got in Wilkie (was great) in terms of … appreciation and follow-up, explaining what they did with the money, what type of difference it made, how much it helped,” Wilson told Gormley on Monday morning.

“In fact, celebrating small-town Saskatchewan is what I did when I supported Wilkie.”

After hearing Pense had also lost Saturday, Wilson decided to do the same thing this year.

“I know that no small towns in Saskatchewan have yet to win Hockeyville but if we can help a little bit (that would help) … So I just poked a few friends and sent a couple of private notes saying, ‘Hey, I’m stepping in and I’ll support Pense as well,’ ” Wilson said.

My #SK homeland folks in @PenseHockey didn't get votes needed to win @KRAFT @Hockeyville – but they are the real deal – I will match the $25k they did receive & encourage a few of my homeland heroes to either RT or step in to support. ….@BradWall306 @ECraigLothian @GregYuel

— * W. Brett Wilson * (@WBrettWilson) August 16, 2020

He announced the donation Sunday and encouraged others to match it.

Pense’s Hockeyville Twitter account posted a thank you later that morning.

You’ve managed to bring the rink board to tears with your generosity Brett… it is so, so appreciated. #SKisHockeyville https://t.co/08VMtKqL4e

— Pense, SK for Kraft Hockeyville 2020 (@pensehockey) August 16, 2020

“It’s a small town in Saskatchewan, therefore I love it,” Wilson said, adding he has never visited Pense.

He said he used to work as a part-time hockey referee and would travel some weeknights to officiate in small Saskatchewan towns.

“Just being exposed to the excitement and the enthusiasm … it was just an experience that brought people together and I was proud to be part of it and I’m still proud to be part of it,” Wilson said. “Whether it’s curling or hockey, those are sports and experiences.”

Wilson said he also communicated with Kraft Hockeyville organizers after the final vote. He said he was told the campaign put on by Pense was “one of the best they’d ever seen.”

Unfortunately, Pense just didn’t have the numbers to win.

“The bottom line is I love my hometown roots,” Wilson said.

On Monday, Regina Motor Products stepped up to the plate on Wilson’s challenge and pledged to match his donation to Pense.

We're proud of our Saskatchewan Hockey Community and are stepping in to donate $25,000 to @pensehockey for the Pense Memorial Rink – you're always #1 in our book! #KraftHockeyville pic.twitter.com/FXKSRfPflC

— Regina Motor Products (@RMPChevrolet) August 17, 2020