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Christian Shaw (left) and Kevin Cole
In preparing to play his personal best, Kevin said, “I try to stay loose, yet as focused as possible at the same time.” Conor looks forward to tournaments more than individual games because “they’re more fun. You can’t go into games with one person mad at another. Pretty much everyone on my team I am friends with.”
This past weekend, the boys became a part of hockey history. The founder of the International Silver Stick Association, Jack Kinsella, originated the idea of the Silver Stick in 1957. The purpose was to foster positive interactions among youth players from Ottawa, Canada and New York State.
In 1963, the first North American Finals tournament took place in Port Huron, Michigan. Since then, Port Huron has been designated as the permanent home of Silver Stick hockey and hosts the Peewee and Bantam Finals each year.
A trophy was needed for the champions and Ernie Temple, one of the tournament’s founders, conceived the idea of using a long stick instead of a traditional trophy. The original fifty-inch sterling Silver Stick trophy, first awarded in 1958 in Ontario, is now on display in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Replicas of the original trophy are used in the North American Finals.
This winter, the tournament showcased talent from 72 youth teams across the US and Canada and matched 24 Bantam AAA teams in games that spanned the four-day event. No other youth hockey tournament attracts such elite competition and AAA teams are allowed into the tournament by invitation only.
After a long day’s travel by bus, the Syracuse Stars had a successful start to the tournament when they won their first game 5 – 2 against the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs on Thursday night. Kevin scored 1 goal and Conor earned 2 assists in the opening game.
The friends, both forwards, rose to the challenge again in Friday’s games as the Stars beat the Phoenix Firebirds in a 6 – 0 shut-out in which Kevin and Conor scored 1 goal apiece and Kevin was credited with 3 assists. The team lost a second game that day, but continued their impressive winning streak on Saturday and beat the Canadian North Shore Winter Club, 2 – 0, with Kevin scoring 1 goal and 1 assist. The Stars then advanced to the finals round by virtue of a 3 – 1 record before narrowly losing in double-overtime, 6 – 5, to eventual finalist, Toronto Marlboros. The final game earned Kevin 1 goal and 3 assists.
Overall, it was an impressive weekend for both boys. Conor earned 1 goal and 2 assists and Kevin, who had a total of 4 goals and 7 assists, tied for 5th place in overall scoring for the tournament. For Kevin, “Hockey is tons of fun. It’s fast, exciting, physical. For me, when competing, winning is everything. I’ve learned hard work, dedication, commitment, teamwork and leadership skills.” Both boys recall their trip to Russia last year playing for USA as one of their most memorable life experiences.
Equally passionate about the ice, three of their classmates, Matt Carpenter, Jess Esposito and Christian Shaw were competing on the same weekend in another hockey tournament 450 miles away. As teammates on the Ithaca Bears, the boys competed in the 2nd Annual Winter Classic tournament in Ottawa that featured 60 Bantam teams. Games were played at the Bell Sensplex facility, but the boys also got to play one of the games at the Corel Centre, home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. While in Ottawa, they also got a chance to see a Senators game.
Although they played in different countries this past weekend, four of the five boys grew up playing hockey together in Lansing. Matt remembers “playing hockey with Kevin and Christian, and sometimes Conor” from early on. “I started out as a forward, then played goalie for two years, and now I play defense.” Christian recalls, “My aunt taught me how to skate eleven years ago.” Jess’ dad first sparked his interest in hockey as a toddler. “My dad loved hockey and encouraged me to play.”
Competition at the Winter Classic was intense. Although the Bears lost all three games, they held their own and provided tough competition. Jess scored a goal in the final game. Also on the team are Jess’ younger brother Craig and T J Cretney, Lansing Middle Schoolers.
It’s clear there’s a lot more to a hockey game than the final score. Matt feels, “Our tournament records don’t reflect the way we play because we have gone up against good competition and the best teams in the Ottawa area. We lost a 1 – 0 game against the Capital Crusaders in the Corel Centre, the Ottawa Senators’ home arena.” Jess’ dad, Coach of the team, agrees. “I’m proud of all the boys and our Lansing kids. Christian, Matt, Jess, Craig and T J all played terrific. The games were a lot closer than the scores indicate.” Jess has learned a lot about life from hockey and believes preparation is key. “If you prepare for a game, a tournament or life in general with great anticipation, hard work and enthusiasm, then winning is vital.”
Kevin, Conor and Jess all envision playing Division I hockey in college. “I want to spend my life playing and teaching hockey,” Kevin said. Clearly, the game of hockey has brought these freshmen together in a way that nothing else could. They all agree team camaraderie a must. “It’s extremely important,” Christian summed it up. “The team won’t function without it.”
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