An Ottawa man is banking on beginner's luck to help him win $1 million during the intermission of an Ottawa 67s game.

There is a lot of pressure when you are shooting a puck to win a million dollars, but it is even more difficult when you have never held a hockey stick before.

Joel Elliott, 29, won the chance to compete for the prize after his mortgage company entered him into a draw when he bought a south Ottawa condominium in November.

He is one of four who will try to shoot for the big prize, which has yet to be won as the competition enters its third year.

The experience is even more foreign to him because he has never shot a hockey puck before.

"The first time I shot a hockey puck was literally Wednesday," he told the CBC's Ashley Burke.

"It was confusing, weird, somewhat alien. I really didn't have any idea how to hold it."

Elliott does not want to look silly in front of almost 10,000 fans in the stands when he steps on the ice.

'Feel the puck, become one with puck'

He practiced shooting in his work parking lot and went to hockey practice Friday afternoon to feel more comfortable with the motions.

"They told me I should play with the puck, feel the puck, become one with the puck," he said. "I've got a system down. It's just going to be smooth, steady."

Elliott, who works as a public servant in Ottawa, is not a big sports fan. But after being chosen out of more than 1,000 entries, he is trying to be a sponge.

The advice has been fast and furious, too, much like his heart rate should be when he shoots.

But he is trying to stay calm throughout the unique experience.

"People have been giving me way too many tips," he said, "I've been trying to just tune everyone out."