HALDIMAND—The U10 Haldimand River Kings have notched another victory on the club’s growing list of accomplishments with their recent first place finish at the International Silver Stick Tournament, a competition that drew teams from across Ontario and the USA to Newmarket, ON from January 11-14, 2024.
Standing between the team and victory were six other teams, with the River Kings facing South Oxford in a thrilling final match that ended with a 4-3 overtime win.
“The team played well right from the start, but you could see that their drive was improving their game play every game as the tournament went on,” said coach Troy Vanderburg.
He said the victory was no fluke, with the team preparing extensively: “From the moment we qualified for this tournament by winning in Owen Sound back in November, the coaching staff was preparing this team for this tournament.”
That included ensuring the players knew the significance of this international opportunity, plenty of on-ice practices, and off-ice team-building sessions to ensure every player was on the same page.
In their first round, the team tied the Mount Brydges Cougars 3-3 before notching decisive, back-to-back 11-1 wins over the Newmarket Renegades and the Michigan-based Rochester Rattlers on Friday.
That evening, the team participated in an opening ceremony with 70 teams on the ice. Players traded pins and took part in a skills competition, where River Kings player Silas Zellar got top honours in the U10 shootout competition.
Back in action on Saturday, the boys faced the Mississippi Thunder Kings with a comfortable 5-2 win, leading to a semi-final match against the Mount Clements Metro Jets.
“The Jets were putting some pressure on us late in the third period when the score was 4-2,” said Vanderburg, recalling a tense moment in the game. “They had a great look at the net when our goalie made a huge glove save that would have put the game to a one-goal difference. You could see as a coach on the bench that all the players were not going to let this one slip away. The momentum swung in our favour.”
The nail-biting wasn’t over yet, however, as the River Kings took two late game penalties, leading to a 6 on 3 offensive rush for the Jets after they pulled their goalie, but “there was no stopping our boys at that point,” said Vanderburg.
The final match of the tournament, against the South Oxford Storm, was another closely contested round the whole way through, with both teams battling back and forth to end the third period in a 3-3 tie.
“Like all championship overtime games, there was that sense of nervousness because we gave up the lead late in the third,” explained Vanderburg. “The coaching staff talked to the players and explained to them to stay with what we learned at practice, but most of all have fun and enjoy this situation.”
Vanderburg said this wasn’t the first time the team had faced a championship overtime, “so the boys had the confidence to do it again. When the winning goal was scored the bench erupted.”
It’s a moment Vanderburg is sure all involved will remember the rest of their lives.
He reflected on the journey the team has taken since forming last spring.
“A lot of these boys and coaches didn’t even know each other,” he said. “I can say that every one of these boys are good friends. As the year progressed, you could see the chemistry building with all the players.
“Everyone was working together for the same goals. These boys would not let anyone get down and they helped each other along the way. Their teamwork and personal effort put them above every other team in this tournament.”
He concluded, “These boys have grown so much as people, as well as hockey players, that they will take this experience with them into the future.”
Next up, the team will attempt to add yet another accomplishment to the list, with a hopeful championship run at the OMHA Championships in Whitby from March 29 to April 1.
The first ever Silver Stick Tournament was held in 1957 and has had a display at the Hockey Hall of Fame since 1982.
For their victory, the Haldimand River Kings name will be represented on the trophy that sits in those hallowed halls, a permanent reminder of a truly excellent season of hockey in Haldimand.
