Born in Onaga, Kansas in 1883, Silas Seth (Si) Griffis moved to Kenora, Ontario in the early 1900s, where he began his hockey career with the Kenora Thistles in 1903. A large man at 195 pounds, Griffis, also known as "Sox", became known as one of the fastest men in the game. Starting as a rover during the days of the 7-man teams, Si later moved back to play defence. He played with the Thistles for 4 seasons, ending his career with them following the Stanley championship season of 1907.

Although been given a purse of gold and offered a fine home by the citizens of Kenora, Griffis chose to move to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he was to retire from the game of hockey. This retirement was short-lived, however, as Griffis returned to the ice in 1912 with the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast League. On his opening night with the Millionaires Griffis played the full 60 minutes of the game, scoring three goals and assisting on two others. In 1915, while Captain of the Millionaires, Griffis led his team to a Stanley Cup victory. He remained with the Millionaires until 1918 when he retired from hockey, this time for good.

Griffis' athletic abilities were not limited to the game of hockey, however, as was evident in 1905 when he returned home with rowing medals from the Canadian Henley Regatta. Later in his life, he became a champion golfer and a successful 10-pin bowler.

It was for his outstanding contributions to the game of hockey, however, for which Si Griffis will be the best remembered, having played on two Stanley Cup winning teams during a 10-year career in which he exhibited incredible speed and hockey sense. Si Griffis was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1950.

Inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, September 26, 1987