Before the grown-up All-Stars took to the ice at Scotiabank Place Saturday for their skills competition Saturday, kids hit another famous Ottawa ice surface to test their own talents.
The NHL Canadian Tire Junior Skills National Championship happened on a downtown part of the Rideau Canal, where the top 40 seven to 12-year-olds in the country competed in events testing speed, accuracy and puck control.
"My dad bought these targets for me to practice to get prepared for this," said nine-year-old Katie Chan from Richmond, B.C. who ended up winning her event.
"We're on the canal and the ice is really bumpy, so you have to watch out for holes," said another competitor. "It's harder than usual."
With 2,500 children across the country participating at the start of the competition, those who made it to Ottawa said they had to work and practice hard to get here.
"My dad rented some ice at the Co-operators in Regina and we practiced for 15 to 20 hours," said one child named Kennedy.
"My dad rented ice too and he invited some of my team members to come help me get practice," said Paige Lester of Oakville.
Their parents said they were proud to see that work pay off.
"I'm a little jealous to be quite honest," said Steve Vos from P.E.I. "I'd love to be out here, it's a little chilly but the kids are doing fantastic even with the ice conditions."
When their competition wrapped up, the kids were off to Scotiabank Place to watch the NHL stars showcase their skills.
"I think (Zdeno) Chara's going to win the hardest shot, and I think (Phil) Kessel's going to win the faster skater competition," said one participant.
"I think Chara's going to win hardest shot, (Jordan) Eberle is going to win shootout," said another.
The children also got tickets to Sunday's All-Star Game.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee
