Some of Maine’s top high school boys’ hockey teams will get a chance to see how they stack up against top teams from outside the state next week during the 11th annual Maine High School Hockey Invitational.

The five-day, 60-game tournament, which starts Monday, will be held at the Biddeford Ice Arena, the MHG Arena in Saco and the Portland Ice Arena.

The event, sponsored by Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop, and Wyndham Hotel, includes teams from Maine, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Nova Scotia.

“We’ve participated in the tournament since its inception and it’s always been an important part of our season,” Greely Coach Barry Mothes said. “I like the chance to play some of the top teams from outside the state and outside the country. We’ve played a great range of schools and I feel our team has always gained a lot from these games.”

Next week the Rangers are scheduled to play teams from Maryland, Connecticut and Nova Scotia.

Out-of-state teams include Belmont, Mass.; Berlin, N.H.; Brookfield/Bethel/Danbury, Conn.; Coventry, R.I.; DeMatha Catholic of Hyattstown, Md.; Guilford, Conn.; Kennett, N.H.; Lockview, Nova Scotia; Lowell, Mass.; Newington/Berlin, Conn.; North Broward Prep of Coconut Creek, Fla.; Pinkerton Academy of Derry, N.H.; Ridgefield, Conn.; St. Joseph’s of Trumbull, Conn.; South Windsor, Conn.; Tewksbury, Mass.; Tilton Prep of Concord, N.H.; Xavier of Middletown, Conn.; and Wethersfield, Conn.

Maine teams include Bangor, Biddeford, Brewer, Cape Elizabeth, Cheverus, Falmouth, Greely, Hebron Academy, Kennebunk, Lewiston, North Yarmouth Academy, Portland, Scarborough, Thornton Academy, Westbrook and Yarmouth.

Proceeds from the tournament help provide scholarships to Maine student-athletes. Over the past 10 years, the Maine High School Hockey Invitational has provided more than $100,000 in scholarships and close to $15,000 in donations to local charitable organizations.

This is the first year Tim Hortons has participated in the event. The restaurant chain is contributing $10,000.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students per game. Admission is free for children under 12.

Game scheduling can be obtained by calling the ice arenas or by visiting www.mainehshockey.com. 

SCARBOROUGH COACH Norm Gagne now stands fourth on the National Federation Of High School Associations’ all-time win list.

The Red Storm’s 8-0 win against Bonny Eagle on Tuesday night was the 625th victory of Gagne’s 36-year coaching career.

Recently, Gagne, who now has a career record of 625-271-25, moved past Ron Baum, who compiled a 623-219-30 record during his 34 years as coach of the Kenwood East squad in Kenwood, Mich.

Third on the all-time list is Roy Nystrom, who started the season with a 632-415-19 record while coaching high school hockey teams in North Dakota and Michigan.

Previously, Gagne, 67, coached schoolboy squads at Gardiner, Waterville, Gorham and Lewiston.

At the top of the all-time list is Bill Belisle, who started the season with more than 900 victories at renowned Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, R.I. 

BRUNSWICK HIGH will host the first Dragons Girls Ice Hockey Holiday Tournament during the Christmas break.

The two-day, round-robin tournament will be held next Tuesday and Wednesday at Sidney J. Watson Ice Arena at Bowdoin College.

“We obviously want to give the girls a chance to play during the Christmas vacation,” Brunswick Athletic Director Gene Keene said.

“More importantly, we want to promote girls’ hockey, and the more people who see it, the better it is.”

The eight-team tournament includes Biddeford, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Cheverus, Portland-Deering, St. Dom’s, Winslow and York.

The championship game is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday. 

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com

Twitter: PaulBetitPPH