Not only will the All-Star weekend feature the best players in the world competing in a skills competition and 3-on-3 tournament, but it will also be hosting an NHL 20 gaming challenge.
It will be a pro-am event where players, athletes, content creators, and esports luminaries will compete in games of NHL 20. There will also be a series of fun hockey-themed challenges for guests to take part in at All-Star weekend.
The event will take place from 12-3 p.m. CT at St. Louis Ballpark Village on Saturday, Jan. 25.
It will be broadcast live on twitch.tv/nhl, with the hashtag #NHLGWC on social media. It has been described as a mix of fun challenges and "extremely competitive gameplay." A similar event was held last year in San Jose during All-Star weekend at the 32,000 square foot home of Sharks board member Scott McNealy.
The Chel gaming challenge will officially kick off the league's esports efforts. The Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild have all organized tournaments as part of the NHL gaming ecosystem.
This is the third year of the NHLGWC, both of their first two seasons have had a $100,000 prize pool, with $50,000 going to the winner.
There will be a handful of NHLers competing in the tournament, including Seth Jones, Matthew Tkachuk, and Jack Eichel. Olympic gold medalist Hilary Knight and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Irvin will also take part in the event. Irvin is an avid video game streamer and is a fan of the Detroit Red Wings.
Former NHL player and co-host of the Spittin Chiclets podcast Paul Bissonnette will be hosting the gaming event, he will be joined by Angella Sharpe, who has been a sideline reporter with the St. Louis Blues for the past 11 seasons. She is also the host of StL TV.
The All-Star weekend will take place from Jan. 24-26 in St. Louis. The skills competition will be on the 24th, followed by the 3-on-3 tournament on the 25th.
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