Maine Mariners (ECHL)

The Maine Mariners are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL that began play in the 2018–19 season. Based in Portland, Maine, the team plays their home games at Cross Insurance Arena. The team participate in the North Division of the Eastern Conference.

For the former American Hockey League team that played from 1977 to 1992, see Maine Mariners.

Maine Mariners
2019–20 ECHL season
CityPortland, Maine
LeagueECHL
ConferenceEastern
DivisionNorth
Founded1989 (in the PSHL)
Home arenaCross Insurance Arena
ColorsBlue, green, silver, white
                   
Owner(s)Comcast Spectacor
General managerDaniel Briere
Head coachRiley Armstrong
AffiliatesNew York Rangers (NHL)
Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
Websitemarinersofmaine.com
Franchise history
1989–2003Anchorage Aces
2003–2017Alaska Aces
2018–presentMaine Mariners

The team replaces the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates after the franchise became the Springfield Thunderbirds in 2016.

History

On May 23, 2016, the Portland Pirates' franchise was sold and relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts,[1][2] and became the Springfield Thunderbirds.[3] A team of investors headed by former Pirates executives W. Godfrey Wood and Brad Church—the latter a former Portland player as well—announced their intentions to put an ECHL team in Portland to fill the void, joining as early as 2017.[4] However, progress to attain a franchise by the Portland group stalled[5] until four groups, none of which involved Wood, submitted their own proposals at the end of February 2017.[6] By March 8, the arena owners had narrowed their choices to the proposals submitted by Spectra and National Sports Services, with both groups having been involved with managing ECHL teams in their past.[7]

In June 2017, Comcast Spectacor, Spectra's parent company and the operators of the Cross Insurance Arena and the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers – the founders and NHL affiliate for years of the original Maine Mariners AHL franchise in Portland – purchased the franchise rights of the recently dormant Alaska Aces of the ECHL. The league approved of the sale and relocation of the franchise to Portland on June 15.[8] Philadelphia Flyers president Paul Holmgren will serve as the team’s governor with former player Danny Briere overseeing the day-to-day operations.[9] In August 2017, the team announced their five finalists for a team name: the Mariners, Watchmen, Lumberjacks, Puffins, and Wild Blueberries.[10] The name was announced as the Mariners on September 29.[11] On November 29, the Mariners' logo and color scheme were revealed.[12] On February 17, 2018, the Mariners hired Riley Armstrong as head coach. On April 9, 2018, the Mariners announced they would be affiliated with the NHL's New York Rangers.[13]

The new Mariners played their first game on October 13, 2018, a 6–3 loss to the Adirondack Thunder. Their inaugural game was at home with a reported attendance of 5,291.[14]

Season-by-season records
Regular season Playoffs
SeasonGPWLOTLSOLPtsGFGAStandingYear1st round2nd round3rd roundKelly Cup
2018–1972373221772212476th, North2019Did not qualify
2019–2062322631681821864th, North2020Season cancelled

Players

Current roster
Updated March 13, 2020.[15][16]
# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Contract
21 Conner Bleackley C R 24 2020 High River, Alberta Mariners
33 Francois Brassard G L 26 2019 Gatineau, Quebec Mariners
24 Josh Couturier D L 25 2019 Newbury, Massachusetts Mariners
22 Marc-Olivier Crevier-Morin D L 24 2019 Chateauguay, Quebec Mariners
18 Ryan Ferrill (A) F R 27 2018 Havertown, Pennsylvania Mariners
13 Dillan Fox F R 29 2018 Hummelstown, Pennsylvania Mariners
41 Brian Hart F R 26 2020 Cumberland, Maine Mariners
12 Ted Hart C/RW R 24 2019 Cumberland, Maine Mariners
14 Nate Kallen D R 22 2020 San Diego, California Mariners
23 Alex Kile LW L 26 2018 Troy, Michigan Mariners
9 Nick Master C L 25 2019 Broomall, Pennsylvania Mariners
42 Austin McEneny D R 23 2020 Waterdown, Ontario Mariners
16 Michael McNicholas C L 26 2018 Reno, Nevada Mariners
3 Matt Nuttle D R 25 2020 Marilla, New York Mariners
26 Mikael Robidoux RW R 21 2020 La Prairie, Quebec Mariners
2 Dallas Rossiter D R 25 2020 Surrey, British Columbia Mariners
92 Terrence Wallin (A) C R 28 2018 Yardley, Pennsylvania Mariners
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References
  1. Springfield investors step up to save hockey for city
  2. Portland blindsided by Pirates’ plan to leave for Springfield after 23 seasons in Maine
  3. Pignatiello, Jim (June 15, 2016). "Springfield Thunderbirds announced as name, mascot of city's AHL franchise". MassLive.com. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  4. "Effort underway to bring pro hockey back to Portland". Portland Press Herald. May 11, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  5. "Group pulls plug on effort to return pro hockey to Portland later this year". Portland Press Herald. January 11, 2017.
  6. "Four groups submit proposals to return pro hockey to Portland". Portland Press Herald. March 1, 2017.
  7. "Negotiations to begin with two groups to bring ECHL team to Portland". Portland Press Herald. March 8, 2017.
  8. "Portland lands a pro hockey team for the fall of 2018". Portland Press Herald. June 15, 2017.
  9. "Comcast Spectacor buys another hockey team; ex-Flyer Danny Briere to run show". Philadelphia Daily News. June 15, 2017.
  10. "Wild Blueberries now finalist for name of Portland's ECHL team". Yahoo Sports. August 17, 2017.
  11. "Maine Mariners making a return to Portland". WCSH. September 29, 2017.
  12. "Maine Mariners Reveal Logo". ECHL.com. November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  13. "Maine Mariners announce affiliation with New York Rangers". marinersofmaine.com. April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  14. "Portland welcomes back pro hockey, ECHL style". The Portland Herald. October 13, 2018.
  15. "Maine Mariners roster". Maine Mariners. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  16. "Maine Mariners playing roster". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
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