FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Stars announced today that the International Silver Stick® Board of Directors has unanimously approved and awarded Dallas Stars Tournaments the National AA sanction for U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-18 divisions for their annual Winter Clash tournament, held each seas­on in early December at StarCenters throughout the Dallas Metropolitan area. This is the first and only International Silver Stick® National Qualifying event ever awarded.

"The Winter Clash has always provided highly ranked AA 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18U teams from across the United States and Canada a top tournament in Texas," Dallas Stars Tournament Series Director Brad Buckland said. "Our new partnership with International Silver Stick® Hockey is unprecedented and only further solidifies the Dallas Stars Tournaments Winter Clash as the Nation's premier AA hockey tournament."

The rebranded Winter Clash International Silver Stick® Dallas AA National Qualifier tournament will continue to have some of the strongest competition in the nation at the AA level, while also awarding each division Winner with an automatic bid to the International Silver Stick® Finals.

"This is the first time we have ever awarded a National Sanction, and a great opportunity to increase the number of teams from other parts of the country and strengthen the competition. As a National Qualifying tournament, Dallas will be able to host any AA team in the U.S., other than a current Silver Stick® Regional Winner," ISS® International Director Scott McDowell said. "This is a great day for both Dallas Youth Hockey and International Silver Stick®."

As we enter the 2018-19 hockey season, The International Silver Stick® Hockey Association is in their 61st year hosting hockey tournaments across North America. Their Motto: "Citizenship and Goodwill through Silver Stick® Hockey" will be experienced as teams in each division from all over the United States compete at the Winter Clash ISS® Dallas AA National Qualifier. The winners will receive the Dallas Stars Tournaments signature Boot Trophy and the Silver Stick® Champion Banner. They also advance to the ISS® Finals in Northern Michigan and Canada, with the opportunity to bring home the coveted International Silver Stick® Championship Sterling Silver Pin. In addition, International Silver Stick® Hockey is the only Youth Hockey Association to have a permanent display in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Every year the HHOF is presented with an ISS® plaque listing all International Winners that is placed on display for all hockey fans to see.

International Silver Stick® Commissioner Larry Frost stated, "It is great to once again have Dallas hosting a Silver Stick Tournament and have the top AA teams come to Texas and play at the Star's great facilities. They run a fantastic Hockey tournament and we could not be more excited to see the return of an International Silver Stick® Tournament and a National Qualifier with the Winter Clash."

Dallas Stars Tournaments is dedicated to bringing an unprecedented tournament experience to each player, coach and family member through a fun, yet competitive atmosphere hosted in world-class facilities in one of the best destinations in the United States. Our innovative approach of creating an NHL-level experience for both children and adults, the players and their fans can expect a professional tournament, both on and off the ice. Our staff is committed to ensuring that our tournaments are run efficiently, professionally and fairly from check-in to awards presentation with a unique tournament environment that blends competitive hockey with all that the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has to offer.

Dallas Stars Tournaments currently hosts 13 tournaments annually. The 7-Eleven Extreme Youth Tournament Series includes seven tournaments that host travel, select, elite, high school and house-level teams from across the nation and Canada. The Adult Tournament Series, features six separate tournament events that bring a new level of fun and competition to adult players of all skill levels. For more information about Dallas Stars Tournaments, please visit www.DallasStars.com/Tournaments or contact us at tournaments@DallasStars.com.

International Silver Stick® Hockey currently hosts 15 American Regional Qualifying Tournaments, 28 Canadian Qualifying Tournaments as well as their International Finals Tournaments consisting of eight Boys, four Girls and Sled Hockey. For more information about International Silver Stick® Hockey, please visit www.silverstick.org.