In April 1939, eleven of thirteen CAHA past presidents including Sterling, were guests of honour at the association's silver jubilee held at the Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg. In response to Canada not winning the 1954 Ice Hockey World Championships, Sterling felt that the choice of the East York Lyndhursts to represent Canada had reflected poorly on the CAHA; and that if Canada could not send its best team due to financial struggles, then no team should be sent to the World Championships.