Detroit HoneyBaked crowned International Silver Stick Champions in Whitby

Detroit HoneyBaked became the first American team since 2019, when the 2004-born group from their own program, to win the U16 division at the Gloria Rints International Silver Stick Tournament, skating to a 6-1 win over Upper Canada College in Sunday’s final in Whitby.

HoneyBaked leaned on a deep forward group and steady special teams to take control of the championship game. Austin Hall capped a strong week with two goals and two assists, while Easton Dozark added a power-play marker as part of a three-goal push through the second and early third. Upper Canada opened the scoring on a first-period goal from George Majic before Honeybaked answered with tallies from Hall and Max Lappan to carry a 2-1 lead into the first break.

HoneyBaked reached the final on the back of tight wins over Don Mills and Buffalo. They edged the Flyers 3-2 in overtime in Saturday’s semifinal, with Henry Buttweiler scoring the winner. Earlier in the day, they powered past the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 6-1 behind a four-point game from Hall.

Upper Canada earned their place in the last game with a pair of thrilling victories. Logan Prud’homme scored twice, including the overtime winner, in a 4-3 quarter-final win over Vaughan before the club knocked off top seed Detroit Little Caesars 3-1 in the semis, where blueliner Max Fransen had a goal in the victory.

Quarter-final action also saw Honeybaked’s crosstown rival, Detroit Little Caesars, top the Mississauga Senators 5-2, thanks to a pair from Ben Slavick, while Don Mills shut out London 3-0 with three goals from Gavin Murphy.

London Jr. Knights forward Drew Bate led all tournament scorers with 11 points in four games. Detroit Little Caesars forward Ryker Kesler finished close behind with 10, while HoneyBaked’s Buttweiler, Dozark and Hall also closed out strong weeks near the top of the scoring list.

For full tournament results, visit silverstick.org.