NHL unveils 3-on-3 All-Star tournament

It's official: 3-on-3 is coming to All-Star weekend.

The NHL will replace the traditional All-Star Game with a 3-on-3 tournament at the annual festivities in Nashville on Jan. 31.

Four divisional teams will compete for a winner-take-all $1-million prize in three 20-minute games. Each squad will be comprised of six forwards, three defensemen, and two goaltenders.

"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 this year 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."

Fans will select one player in each division, regardless of position. These players will be named team captains, and the remaining 40 will be determined by the league's hockey operations department.

The Central Division team will play the best of the Pacific Division, and the Metropolitan Division stars will face the Atlantic Division team, with the winners playing each other to determine a champion.

The league's plan to shift to a 3-on-3 All-Star tournament was first reported earlier this month.