A Christmas video shot by a junior hockey team has garnered more than 25,000 views since it was posted four days ago. Players on the team say they were just having a little holiday fun and never expected the video to become so popular.

When the Virden Oil Capitals marketing manager first approached the players about appearing in a Christmas music video, not everyone was sold on the idea.

"There's a few of us that were a little suspect with the idea, but it turned out pretty well. We're pretty happy with it," said defenceman Taylor Fischer.

One person who didn't need any convincing was the star of the show, 20-year-old defenceman Curtis Houlden. "I think my moustache got me the role,” he said.

“I was the oldest looking guy on the team. Our marketing manager liked my muzzie."

Houlden might expect a little ribbing from opponents in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, where his team currently sits first in their division. Even his own father couldn't resist chirping him about his YouTube debut, lip-synching to "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams.

"I was hoping you wouldn't be singing,” said John Houlden, Curtis’ dad.

All kidding aside, John Houlden says he loves the video and continues to share it with family and friends. "We've had it up on the big screen here,” he said. “Mom's work Christmas party was here and they were watching it."

Since showing the video, it's almost all anyone around the team talks about. "Holdy was in a little bit of a pushing match and the ref told him to calm down and told him, ‘It's the most wonderful time of the year,’" said centre Mark Hardy.

"Seeing it blow up has been pretty awesome for all the guys and all the fans and stuff, so it's been really cool," said centre Jake Dudar.

Houlden admits, despite his tough guy look, hamming it up onscreen comes naturally to him. "I've always been kind of outgoing, so on the ice, I play my role, but off the ice I'm a different person."

Despite the popularity of the song, Houlden and his teammates hope the springtime and the playoffs will actually be their most wonderful time of the year.

- With a report by Ben Miljure