The International Silver Stick tournament series is back in Sarnia-Lambton, bringing over 300 hockey teams to arenas across the region over the next three months. This influx of visitors is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the local area, which often experiences a slowdown in tourism during the winter months. Executive Director Mark […]
The International Silver Stick tournament series is back in Sarnia-Lambton, bringing over 300 hockey teams to arenas across the region over the next three months. This influx of visitors is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the local area, which often experiences a slowdown in tourism during the winter months.
Executive Director Mark Perrin of Tourism Sarnia-Lambton (TSL) stated that the tournaments bring an "incredible boost" to the region, filling hotels, restaurants, and shops. Past Silver Stick events, when combined with the regional events held late in the year, have brought in about $6 million for the local economy.
Teams often stay an average of three nights at a local hotel, and the visitors also eat out and shop, leading to a significant amount of money spent in the area. The total economic impact is expected to generate millions of dollars for the community.
The tournaments are a draw for teams from across North America, with participants arriving from locations as far as Florida, Colorado, Idaho, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and Ottawa. Outstanding local teams are also hitting the ice.
The season is kicking off this weekend with the Sarnia Boys’ AAA Finals and the Lambton Shores Regionals. Other local areas hosting tournaments through February include:
Mooretown
Watford
Petrolia
Alvinston
Forest
The largest single event, the Sarnia Girls’ Finals from January 1–4, will welcome 64 teams to the area.
Tourism Sarnia-Lambton encourages local businesses to put up welcome signs and invites residents to visit the arenas to enjoy the high-calibre hockey. Perrin emphasized that Silver Stick is a long-standing tradition, a chance to showcase local hospitality, and a reminder of the importance of sports tourism to the local economy.
The full schedule of International Silver Stick tournaments in Sarnia-Lambton includes:
Nov. 27-30: Sarnia AAA Finals
Nov. 28-30: Lambton Shores Regionals (U15)
Dec. 4-7: Alvinston Regionals
Dec. 11-14: Watford Regionals (U13)
Dec. 18-21: Watford Regionals (U15)
Dec. 27-30: Petrolia Regionals
Jan. 1-4: Sarnia Girls Finals
Jan. 8-11: Mooretown Finals
Jan. 9-11: Forest Finals (U15/U18)
Jan. 16-18: Sarnia Boys Finals (A/AA)
Jan. 23-25: Forest Finals (U11/U13)
Feb. 13-15: Lambton Shores Regionals (U9)
For a complete schedule and list of teams, visitors can go to silverstick.org.
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