Colin Oberst's Canadian Gold is the first of five entries to qualify for the semifinals of Canada's Hockey Anthem Challenge.

The contest to find new theme music for Hockey Night in Canada was launched June 19 by CBC Sports after it didn't renew the rights to The Hockey Theme, which were subsequently purchased by CTV Inc.

Oberst's entry was featured Monday night on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos, who will offer a sneak peek of the other semifinalists over the next four weeknights.

The five semifinalists were selected from 14,871 submissions by an expansive judging committee.

Oberst, from Beaumont, Alta., is an elementary school teacher and avid music writer, and performs in an Edmonton-based band.

Television viewers can enjoy all five semifinalist submissions in their entirety on the Hockey Night In Canada Anthem Challenge, a one-hour special hosted by Ron MacLean and Stroumboulopoulos on Oct. 4 (CBC, 9 p.m. ET local time).

Each of the five semifinalists will be introduced with a recording of their respective entry — produced by Bob Rock, a multiple Juno Award winner, and a full orchestra — played on the show.

The opening round of voting begins immediately following the program, and closes Oct. 7.

Canadians can cast their votes at CBCSports.ca/anthemchallenge, by phone and via SMS on their mobile phones.

"We have an opportunity to help five regular Canadians achieve a dream of having their composition associated with Hockey Night in Canada," said Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports.

The two finalists will be announced during a special Thursday edition of Hockey Night in Canada on Oct. 9, when the Toronto Maple Leafs travel to Detroit and the Calgary Flames visit the Vancouver Canucks.

That is when the second round of voting opens, closing on Oct. 10.

The winning submission will be revealed Oct. 11 on Hockey Night In Canada's traditional Saturday night doubleheader (Montreal Canadiens at Toronto, Vancouver at Calgary).

The winner of Canada's Hockey Anthem Challenge will receive $100,000 in cash and half of the ongoing royalties, with the other half invested in minor hockey.