A few Collingwood teams scored big at the Collingwood Regional Silver Stick tournament this past weekend, and are heading to the international competition in the new year.
From Dec. 13 to 15, multiple Collingwood teams competed in the tournament, with two of Collingwood’s U11 Jr. Blues teams facing off against each other in the finals on Sunday. Coached by Ken Kaden, the LL1 team beat out the LL2 team and are now headed to Pelham to compete against some Ontario, Quebec and U.S.-based U11 teams in January.
“It’s a big opportunity for us to represent Collingwood on a much larger stage,” said Kaden. “It’s a sign that we’re a strong centre for hockey.”
Kaden said his team had a disappointment earlier in the season, losing out in overtime at a game in Woolwich.
“It was a heartbreaker for the boys, but they came into this tournament fired up to do as best as they could,” said Kaden. “We’ve been preaching defence and teamwork all season long, and they played very well. We couldn’t be more proud.”
The Collingwood U13 team also won their division at the tournament over the weekend with a 3-0 shutout.
International Silver Stick started in 1956 in Richmond Hill and bloomed to become one of the largest North American minor hockey tournaments. Fifty-two tournaments take place under the Silver Stick banner annually North America wide.
“It’s unfortunate we had to play another Collingwood team to win. They played a good game, and we were fortunate to win,” said Kaden.
The Pelham Panthers International Silver Stick Finals take place Jan. 9-12.
