International Sliver Stick Hockey was the brainchild of Jack Kinsella who watched his son play an exhibition game between the Bantam Woodroffe Cardinals from Ottawa West and the Bantam Potsdam Golden Knights from New York in November of 1956. Jack Kinsella decided a return match should be setup to promote the game and foster “goodwill” between the two countries. Jack Kinsella’s only hope was that everyone who participated, regardless of the outcome, would adopt the philosophy of “Citizenship and International Goodwill.” Since the first Silver Stick tournament was played 60 years ago the franchise has grown to include more than 40 qualifying tournaments and 15 finals tournaments. In 1999 members of Pelham’s Hockey Community thought A/E teams deserved to have the same international, citizenship and goodwill experience of taking part in a Silver Stick Tournament and the Pelham A/E International Silver Stick Finals Tournament was born. Since that first Pelham finals tournament, organizers have opened the Silver Stick tournament in Pelham to house league or local league teams as well, offering the international hockey experience to even more players. Since 1999 the tournament outgrew Pelham’s facilities and both opening ceremonies and games have been held in Fort Erie, Niagara Fall and St. Catharines in the past 15 years. Last year the tournament returned home to Pelham witht he opening of the community’s new arena and community centre, and organizers are proud to welcome Pelham Silver Stick Finalists to the Meridian Community Centre in Pelham again this year.