The 2016 NHL All-Star Game is getting a major makeover, with the annual mid-season exhibition being turned into a 3-on-3 All-Star tournament among the league’s divisions.
The new format calls for three 20-minute games, with players from each division making up the four All-Star teams: Pacific, Central, Atlantic, and Metropolitan.
There will be a $1 million prize for the winning team in the inter-division tournament.
This season’s All-Star contest is scheduled for January 31 in Nashville.
“The NHL All Star Weekend festivities provide a unique opportunity for our fans, players, clubs, and business partners to come together in one city to celebrate the game at its highest level,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. “We are introducing a creative new format in Nashville not only as a way to enhance the competitiveness of the event, but also as a vehicle to highlight and emphasize the incredible skill, speed and athleticism it takes to play our game.”