Girls' Hockey Takes Center Stage at Silver Stick Tournament in Sarnia
The Silver Stick tournament in Sarnia, Ontario, becomes a battleground for aspiring young female hockey players, showcasing growth and competition in girls’ hockey.
Charlie Kennedy
- 2024-01-07
- Updated 10:07 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - The city of Sarnia, Ontario, hosted the Silver Stick tournament, a significant event in the world of girls' hockey that featured fifty-nine teams vying for victory. This year's competition drew close to 1,000 young athletes, ages 11U to 18U, including 12U player Ellie Ryan from Livonia who attended with high hopes of taking her team to the top. The tournament serves not only as a competitive platform but also as an inspiration for future aspirations within the sport.
Expanding Horizons in Girls’ Hockey
Girls' hockey is experiencing a notable rise in participants, as evidenced by Denver, Colorado's Arapahoe Warriors. The team, which has seen its local participation at the pee wee level grow from 4-5 players to 14-15, traveled to Ontario to be a part of the tournament's diverse competition. The presence of young female players from various regions underscores the increasing interest and development in the sport. Meanwhile, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) continues to inspire and provide career aspirations for female hockey players with its display of elite talent and professional opportunities.
Aspirations and Milestones
Participation in the Silver Stick tournament also brings individual highlights, such as Lara Kelly from North Halton, who scored the game-winning goal in a U18 final match during double-overtime, leading to a scoreless tiebreak. Jenna Abeyta, coach of the Arapahoe Warriors and former university teammate of some current PWHL players, reflects on the influence of the league, asserting it as both a motivator for her team and a pinnacle for players’ aspirations. Furthermore, players and coaches from various teams voiced a shared hope: they would like to see Detroit as the next city to gain a PWHL expansion franchise, further validating the expanding horizon of women's hockey.
The tournament not only spotlighted the athletic prowess of the participating girls but also highlighted the growing enthusiasm and support for women's hockey at the grassroots level. As teams return to their hometowns, they carry with them the experiences, achievements, and dreams that the Silver Stick tournament in Sarnia has nurtured, with an eye on the future of their sport.
