The Story of the Silver Stick

The idea of Silver Stick Hockey originated in Ottawa, by founder, J. J. (Jack) Kinsella, for boys of PeeWee and Bantam age from the Ottawa area and those from New York State, immediately south of Canada's capital.

A trophy was needed for the tournament, and the suggestion was made to use a regulation hockey stick. This stick was made of silver and was donated by the Ottawa Citizens Newspaper. The theme of the entire program is to promote citizenship and international goodwill through the medium of Silver Stick Hockey and to foster sportsmanship through international competition for boys and youth of all nations.

Two years later, Mr. Kinsella contacted Fred Lamline of Port Huron with the intent of introducing the Silver Stick idea to the Blue Water area. Mr. Lamline was so impressed with what he saw in Ottawa, that he immediately began plans for Silver Stick in the southwest Ontario and Southeast Michigan region. He made arrangements with Roy Caley of Watford, Ontario, to hold the first tournament in Watford in 1960. It was a marvelous success during it's first year and grew more so in the following years.

When tragedy struck in 1963, the Watford Arena burned to the ground; the first North American Silver Stick PeeWee and Bantam Finals Tournament took place in Port Huron, Michigan. The success of this tournament brought about a meeting on May 19, 1963, when a constitution and bylaws were adopted and an International Board was elected.

Port Huron was chosen as the permanent "home" of Silver Stick hockey and as the site of the PeeWee and Bantam Finals Tournament each year. In 1969, Sarnia, Ontario, was established as the site of the Atom and Midget Finals Tournament each year. As the years rolled by, Juvenile competition was introduced and finals play in this bracket takes place yearly at the Moore Sports Complex in Mooretown, Ontario.

In 1986, a new Novice Finals Tournament was hosted by St. Clair Shores, Michigan, and in 1987 a new Minors Finals Tournament was hosted by Newmarket, Ontario. In 1989, an "AAA" Invitational Tournament was hosted by Whitby, Ontario. In 1990, Forest, Ontario hosted the "C" Finals Tournament.

The International Board of Directors is headed by a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Second Deputy Commissioner, and Executive Director selected by the Board and from the Board. Of the 14 directors, seven represent Canada and seven represent the United States.

The Regional Tournaments are under the supervision of Regional Directors (or International Directors where there is no Regional Director). All Tournaments require annual sanction by the Board of Directors. The winning teams from the Regionals then vie for top honors at the Silver Stick Finals Tournaments.

The original fifty-inch sterling Silver Stick Trophy now rests in the Hockey Hall Of Fame in Toronto, Canada; relative replicas are used in North American Finals.