AUBURN — The Maine Gladiators will be holding the 50th annual Lion’s Youth Hockey Tournament this weekend. The opening ceremonies will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. This year’s tournament runs from Friday through Monday. More than 500 young hockey players from all over New England will be competing. Maine Gladiator teams welcome the out of town and out of state teams and are looking forward to a fun-filled weekend of competition. Players range from four to 15.
This rich tradition continues to extend its record of being the longest-running youth hockey tournament in the country. The tournament started in 1972 by the local Lion’s Club as a way to give local children something to do during their February school vacation. Fifty years later, without skipping any year in between, the Maine Gladiators are exciting about celebrating their Golden Anniversary. Starting at the Central Maine Youth Center (The Colisee), the tournament moved to the Norway Savings Bank Arena in 2015. Many of the local players who played in the first tournament in 1972 now have grandchildren who are competing in the same tournament. Lewiston/Auburn should be very proud of this record-setting tradition. It is a special weekend for players, families, and friends.
In addition to first and second place prizes in each division, a multitude of raffle prizes and special sportsmanship awards and scholarships will be given out thanks to the many local sponsors of the tournament, including the local referee association. The Maine Gladiators would especially like to recognize Easy Rental for being this year’s major sponsor of the tournament.
The Maine Gladiators are excited to have so many talented young hockey players playing in this annual tournament, knowing that each participant will be creating friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
The complete schedule for this year’s Lion’s Tournament can be found on the Maine Gladiators’ website at www.mainegladiators.com.
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