Play On!: Street hockey goes national

Former professional, junior and collegiate hockey players will trade their skates for sneakers in January for Hockey Night in Canada's 4 on 4 national street hockey championship in Victoria.

The tournament, dubbed Play On!, is set for Jan. 29-30.

The CBC Sports event, featuring 30 teams from across the country, will vie for the Redwood Cup, a 29-kilogram trophy — heavier than Lord Stanley’s mug — and $10,000 cash.

Finalists were determined in the summer at 12 regional tournaments from St. John’s to Vancouver.

Since 2003, over 300,000 Canadians have taken to the asphalt arena in search of the Redwood Cup. Organizers hope to create an atmosphere that "makes kids feel like NHL pros and help adults feel like kids again."

The tournament is partnered with CBC’s 10th annual Tim Hortons Hockey Day in Canadaon Jan. 30 (CBC, CBCSports.ca at 12 noon ET).