The founder of the International Silver Stick Association, Mr. Jack Kinsella, was born in Regina, Sask., April 8, 1908. He moved to Ottawa, Ontario as a child and it was in the city that the idea of Silver Stick originated in 1957. The purpose of the venture was to further International relations between Peewee and Bantam age players from Ottawa area and New York State, immediately south of Canada's capital. The theme of the entire program is to promote citizenship and goodwill through the medium of Silver Stick Hockey, and to foster sportsmanship through International competition for youth of all nations.
A trophy was needed for the tournament and one of the founders, Mr. Ernie Temple, is credited with the idea of using along stick instead of a trophy to present the winners. The stick, made of silver and donated by the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, was used at the first Silver Stick Tournament in 1958, in Richmond, Ontario. Relative replicas of the Original Silver Stick Trophy are used in North American Finals.
In 1961, Mr. Kinsella contacted the late Mr. Fred Lamelein of Port Huron, Michigan who then visited with Mr. Kinsella in Ottawa. Following that meeting, Silver Stick Hocky was introduced to southwestern Ontario with a tournament in Watford. Mr. Roy Caley of Watford was responsible for organizing and promoting this event.
In January of 1963, the first North North American Finals Tournament took place in Port Huron, Michigan. On May 19, 1963, a Constitution and Bylaws were adopted and an International Board elected. Port Huron was chosen as the permanent "home" of Silver Stick Hockey and the site of the Peewee and Bantam Finals each year.
In 1969, Sarnia, Ontario was established as the site of the "Atom and Midget" Finals Tournament each year. In 1974, "Juvenile" competition was introduced and the finals were held in Mooretown, Ontario. In subsequent years, new Finals were introduced in St. Clair Shores, Michigan; Newmarket, Ontario; Whitby, Ontario; Forest, Ontario; Pelham, Ontario; Tecumseh, Ontario; and Brighton, Ontario.
Regional Tournaments
Regional Tournaments are held throughout North America in areas reaching from British Colombia, Colorado, Texas, Alabama, and Maryland. The main concentration of Regional Tournaments are in Ontario and north central United States of America.
The winning teams from Regional's then vie for top honors at the Silver Stick Finals here they compete against the winners from the other Regional's.
Regional tournaments are under the direction of the Regional Directors. All Regional Directors must be santioned each year by the Board of Directors.
Players and coaches of the Regional Championship teams wil receive a Regional Silver Stick Championship Pin. All participants will receive a dated souvenir Silver Stick Pin. Other awards presented will vary by tournament.
Note: There are presently three "AAA" Division Regional Tournaments in North America. The other "AAA" teams competing in the Final Tournaments are by invitation and include the elite teams from the various "AAA" leagues.
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