The puck dropped in the 18th annual Bell Capital Cup on Wednesday morning.
The five-day tournament has Peewee and Atom hockey teams from across Canada, the US and even a couple from Finland competing for the cup.
Over 600 games will be played on more than 20 ice rinks across Ottawa.
Bell Capital Cup GM Scott Lawryk explained that the idea behind the tournament is to bring everyone together and celebrate the game of hockey.
"Hopefully create some friendships and some relationships that otherwise wouldn't really happen," he said.
Each division's championship game will be played at the Canadian Tire Centre on New Year's Day.
Admission is free to all games.