The Tampa Bay Lightning, in conjunction with Hotbox Sports, announced the official launch of the Lightning Fantasy Challenge today, which allows Bolts fans to compete against each other in fielding a competitive team comprised of their favorite Lightning players.

FANTASY HOCKEY CLICK HERE TO PLAY NOW

Go up against Lightning broadcasters Matt Sammon and Chris Dingman

In addition to weekly prizes, the top point getters at the conclusion of the season will receive prizes

Fans can start by logging on to TampaBayLightning.com/fantasy and selecting 11 different Bolts players each week, including six forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender.Participants also have the option of selecting one player out of the Weekly Players and designating him as a Double Player, in which the participant will earn double points based on that specific player's performance. There will also be three reserve players in the event that one of the Weekly Players is unavailable due to injury, suspension or other mitigating factors. Per game period, a competitor will be prompted to select his or her lineup for that week.Participants may only select one Weekly Player per the team's game.Players may compete for free and are encouraged to register their team early. Fans will even receive the chance to compete against Lightning broadcast personalities Matt Sammon and Chris Dingman.Scoring categories will vary by position, with forwards, defensemen and goaltenders all earning different point values for their individual performance. The categories from which to earn points include goals, assists, ice time, shorthanded goals, game-winning goals, penalty minutes, two-goal games, hat tricks and shots on goal.As an added incentive to maintain the daily management of your team, prizes will be awarded to the top point getters at the conclusion of the season.Each weekly prize winner will receive either a Lightning hat, signed hockey stick, a Lightning t-shirt or a signed puck. The runner-up who finishes second at the end of the season will receive an autographed Lightning jersey, while the champion will be given an all-expenses paid trip for two to the 2012 NHL Entry Draft set to take place at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.