The 35th Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament kicks off Monday at WEM

It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world for nine and ten year old hockey players. The Brick Invitational is back in Edmonton and celebrating its 35th anniversary.

Now that the Oilers have completed their playoff run last week, the kids themselves get the chance to win top honors in their own tournament.

“I think about Game 7 (of the playoffs), I think we’ve had 7 games as well. I think about the games and the teams, they’re all really good,” said Team Brick Alberta player Douglas Deschamps.

For generations, Canadian children have dreamed of playing for and winning the Stanley Cup. But before you can reach the big stage, there is a process you have to go through.

One of those big steps for many players is playing in the Brick Invitational Tournament, which has been attended by many players who have played in the National Hockey League.

“You go to West Edmonton Mall and it’s got all the names of the players that have been here. It’s a who’s who of the stars in the NHL,” said Craig MacTavish, Stanley Cup champion and former Oilers player.

The tournament is a sign of what hockey means in Edmonton. Organizers say hockey is a year-round sport in Edmonton and is a great follow-up to the NHL playoffs each year.

“Obviously, the economics of things with the hotels and the food and the shopping, I think it works really well. And it’s a nice follow-up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” explained Jason Nicholetts, general manager of The Brick Team.

The event runs from July 1 to 7 and plays host to some of the best small teams in North America.

Although players have found success in the NHL after playing in the tournament, many of these kids have only one thing on their minds.

“I just want to win the tournament and compete in other tournaments that I can win.”