Rankin Inlet (Apr 12/06) - The hockey-mad hamlet of Rankin Inlet is one step closer to achieving national recognition for its love of the game.

Rankin advanced past the first stage of the Kraft Hockeyville 2006 contest and is one of only 50 communities still in the hunt for the title.

More than 450 communities across Canada entered the contest.

The top community will receive upgrades to its arena and host an NHL exhibition game.

The Hockeyville crown will be awarded during the NHL playoffs.

Rankin Mayor Lorne Kusugak and rec co-ordinator Jackson Lindell teamed with Doug McLarty and Brian McKay to oversee Rankin's entry.

Things hit high gear after the first stage, when the committee was given a week to produce a video highlighting the community.

McLarty and McKay spent about 50 hours gathering material and editing the two-minute video, which McLarty describes as punched full of action.

The video will be aired on CBC on April 12 or 19.

"The video covers all of Rankin Inlet hockey and everything we do with the game," says McLarty.

"It also highlights being culturally strong in the Arctic and having other strengths in addition to hockey.

"Hockeyville is the community and the involvement of its people with everything that goes on here."

Kusugak wasn't surprised when Rankin made it to the final 50.

He says the people of the community can accomplish just about anything when they put their minds to it.

"When Rankin goes for something, it goes all the way and I entered this thinking we had a chance to win," says Kusugak.

"We have a tremendous sense of community spirit and we love hockey.

"Hopefully, that will be enough to let the country in on what we already know - Rankin is Hockeyville!

"We just can't get enough of this crazy game."

Kusugak says it's hard to list one reason why hockey is so popular in Rankin.

He says Rankin is a scrappy town and its residents can relate to the game.

"Rankin went from being a community that wasn't supposed to exist after the mine closed to this thriving town that just never gives up.

"Hockey reflects the spirit of Rankin because great things can be accomplished by never giving up and working together for a common goal.

"Anything is possible when you believe in yourself and are willing to pay the price to reach your goals.

"That's the sprit within the game and it's the spirit of our community."