Hockey Fan's Dream

For the past 26 years, St. Clair Shores has played host to one of amateur hockey’s biggest events–the Silver Sticks Finals.

For one weekend every year, teams from all over North America come to the city to play for a trophy, and, more importantly, a place in hockey immortality.

“The big prize is that your team gets its name and information engraved on a trophy that sits in the Hockey Hall of Fame,” tournament executive director Bill Selengowski said. “There’s a section of the Hockey Hall of Fame where all the Silver Sticks Tournament champions are recognized.”

Some of the game’s biggest names, both past and present, have laced up their skates and competed in Silver Skates–and who knows, the NHL’s next great player might be amongst the 46 Mite (ages 7-8 years old) teams competing for this year’s title here in St. Clair Shores.

“It’s very gratifying to know that you’re helping these kids,” Selengowski said. “Hockey is such an adventure, and you’re there to help them along this step. It does make you feel really good when you see how much these kids are enjoying the event.”

Selengowski is in his eighth year of running the tournament here in the Shores, while co-director Dan Adams has been involved with the event since the 1960s.

“I was a player in the 1960s, and I’ve coached and been a part of the team helping to organize the event too,” Adams said. “I guess you can say I’ve done about everything in Silver Sticks at some point. It’s just a great organization and a great event for hockey fans here in St. Clair Shores.”

The event, which takes place from Jan. 21-23 and is sponsored by the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association, is a hockey fan's dream.

Spread out over three locations–, University Liggett’s McCann Ice Arena, and Viking Arena in Hazel Park–the event has games scheduled from 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday; 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

“It’s pretty much nonstop hockey,” Adams said. “And it's teams from all over the United States and Canada.”

Six teams from Michigan will compete in the finals, with one squad, the St. Clair Shores Saints, representing the Shores.

“It’s such an amazing event,” Selengowski said. “These kids come from all over and it’s such an exciting event for them and their families. You can just see it in their faces.”

Along with a high skill level, these kids bring a friendly and welcoming presence to the rink.

“You see kids who’ve never met before out there shaking hands and talking in the lobby at the rink,” Adams said. “You see them trading pins with each other and just having a good time together. That is so rewarding for me to see–these kids enjoying each other and the game.”

These 7- and 8-year-old boys and girls, along with the families that accompany them, also have an impact on the city–a positive one.

“Think about it,” Selengowski said. “It brings a lot of people to St. Clair Shores, and that makes a big impact economically on the businesses in the city.”

These families stay at local hotels, eat at local restaurants and visit local businesses, Selengowski says.

When teams arrive at the event, every family receives a packet that highlights local businesses, with the hopes of enticing these families to stay in the Shores to eat, shop and stay.

Economic impact aside, the event is really about a love of the game of hockey.

“These young kids play because they love the game–that’s it,” Adams said. “That’s what this tournament is all about–the love of the game of hockey.”