The Niverville Nighthawks’ “Smitty’s Chase-the-Ace” jackpot has exceeded $14,700 heading into the Week #21 draw on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. The fundraiser has attracted extra attention because the board is down to only the Ace of Spades and one Joker, increasing the odds that the jackpot will be won at the next draw.
To play, residents purchase tickets for the weekly draw; the winning ticket-holder receives a portion of that night’s ticket sales (typically about 20% under current practice) and then selects a numbered envelope from a board to try to find the Ace of Spades. Under the raffle rules a remaining Joker offers a secondary bonus prize (the CTA rules specify different prizes for the first and second Joker drawn).
All net proceeds from the Chase-the-Ace raffle benefit the Niverville Jr A Hockey Club (the Niverville Nighthawks) and are earmarked for team operations and facility upgrades at the Niverville Community Resource and Recreation Centre (CRRC), among other community initiatives.
Tickets are available at Smitty’s Niverville (Smitty’s Restaurant & Lounge), at Nighthawks home games and events, and online through the team’s Chase-the-Ace page. In July 2025 a previous round ended when the Ace of Spades was drawn on July 28, 2025, producing a total payout of $49,813. Purchasers do not need to be in attendance to win; if a winner is not present they will be contacted by phone at the time of the live draw.
