This year’s Lion’s Youth Hockey Tournament, held for the 44th year in a row, was capped off Wednesday afternoon by a closing ceremony, which included free skating for all its participants and family members.

This celebration followed five days of fun-filled games for youth hockey players from ages 5 to 15, and ended with championship games, awards, and raffle prizes. After awards were given to winning and runner-up teams, special awards were handed to deserving players and coaches for their outstanding play and sportsmanship.

This year’s Lion’s Tournament was sponsored by The Fortin Group and Dignity Memorial. The Fortin Group has been the tournament’s major sponsor for several years and is proud to help continue the tradition started decades ago. Everyone created lasting memories this week and everyone was happy to have participated in the longest running youth hockey tournament in the country.

Winners of the tournament and special awards were:

• Mites Division Champions: Maine Gladiators Mite Gold

• Squirt Division Champions: Maine Gladiators Squirt Black

• Peewee Division Champions: Maine Gladiators Peewee White

• Bantam Division Champions: Central Maine Bantam Black

• Bob Gladu Award (best defensive player): Keagan Moon

Fern Cloutier Award (best coach): Bob Gladu

• Dana Latlippe Scholarship given by the family of Dana Latlippe: Cassidy Bussiere

• Coaches Choice Awards given by the Maine Gladiators: Belle Beauchesne, Joe Martel, Christian Mathieu, Isaha L’Heureux

• Scholarships given by the Maine Referee Association: Ace Watson, Griffin Spurr, Sophia Castagna, James Brison

• Winning Essay Scholarship given by the Maine Gladiators: Marias Morneau

• Winning Team Banner chosen by The Fortin Group: Maine Gladiator Mite Grey