The Silver Stick Story....

   The founder of International Silver Stick Association, Mr. Jack Kinsella, was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, April 8, 1908.  He moved to Ottawa, Ontario as a child, and it was in this 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 the 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 a long stick instead of a trophy to present to 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.  The original fifty inch sterling Silver Stick Trophy now rests in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

  In 1961 Mr. Kinsella contacted late Fred Lamline of Port Huron, Michigan. Following the meeting, Silver Stick hockey was introduced to Southwestern Ontario, with a tournament in Watford.  The late Roy Caley of Watford was responsible for organizing and promoting this event.

  In 1963 the first 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 as the site of the Peewee and Bantam Finals each year. 

   In 1969 Sarnia,  Ontario was established as the site of Atom and Midget finals each year. In subsequent years, new Finals were introduced at other locations as new divisions and girls' hockey were added to the Silver Stick line-up..

  In 1989 Whitby, Ontario was sanctioned to host the new International Silver Stick '"AAA" Minor Finals. On November 23, 1994 the Whitby Tournament was named the Gloria Rints Memorial International Silver Stick Tournament in honour of Gloria,  who passed away on September 23, 1994 in appreciation for her many years of service in the Ladies Auxiliary, and as Tournament Director for Whitby Minor Hockey Association.  

    The International Board of Directors is headed by a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Second Deputy Commissioner, Executive Director and Immediate Past Commissioner.  Of the fourteen directors, seven represent Canada, and seven represent the U.S.A.

  The Regional Tournaments are under the supervision of Regional Directors, and require annual sanctioning by the Board of Directors. Winning  teams from the Regional Tournaments vie for top honours at the Silver Stick Finals.

   Since the first Silver Stick Finals in Port Huron, the competition has grown to feature upwards of 65,000 participants each year.