The Yukon Native Hockey Tournament remains as popular as ever, with hundreds of players and fans flocking to the Yukon capital.

The event, sponsored this year by Kilrich Building Centres, began last Friday and concluded Sunday.

More than 600 players on 43 teams converged on Whitehorse for the event, with representation from across the North as well as Alberta and British Columbia.

“It’s very gratifying to see people come out and enjoy the event,” said Jeanie Dendys, president of the Yukon Indian Hockey Association, which organizes the annual event.

“It’s really a legacy event. ... It’s just amazing to see it grow every year and that it never loses its spark.”

Dendys said while it’s hard to determine just how many people roll into Whitehorse for the event, the number of hockey players can be tracked.

“We know we have over 600 hockey players in the tournament,” she said.

“Many communities travel from distances to watch their family members.

“I’m pretty sure we had the whole Tahltan Nation here and it was a good tournament for them, taking jamboree gold and youth gold.”

As usual, spots in the tournament were scooped up quickly, Dendys said. This year’s slate of teams filled up in less than a week.

“It went really well,” she said of the three-day tournament at Takhini Arena and the Canada Games Centre. “We had tons of volunteers this year. Everyone had fun and there was lots of competition for sure.”

For many, the tournament doubles as an opportunity to re-connect with long-lost friends.

Many Northwest Territories players and fans hit town at the beginning of the week to shop and prepare for hockey, Dendys said.

“It’s a big deal for our communities.”

The Deline Braves – a B division club who chartered a plane from N.W.T. for the event – was named most sportsmanlike team for their efforts.

Meanwhile, Tuktoyaktuk coach Jackie Jacobson dedicated his team’s third straight A division title to his late aunt and uncle.

“I’m really proud of my guys,” he said. “I’m really happy that E. Gruben’s Transport believes in us enough to send us 1,400 kilometres ... Just honoured.

“It’s an honour for me to win this tournament. You’re not going to win it every time.”

The EGT Nanooks defeated the CAFN Storm 6-2 in Sunday’s grand finale in front of what was the largest crowd at Takhini Arena this season.

The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers took the ice post-game to drum the players through the medal ceremonies.

Tournament results were published in Monday’s edition of the Star.

The 40th Annual Kilrich Building Centres Yukon Native Hockey Tournament date is set for March 17 to 19, 2017.

Next up on the native hockey schedule is the 2016 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, April 28 to May 8 in Mississauga, Ont.