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New England rivalry heats up with new incentives this season BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners Read the full article

Twelve initial themes were revealed for the 2021-22 promotional schedule BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 20, 2021 – The Maine Mariners announced their initial list of major theme nights for the 2021-22 season on Tuesday. Set for a full 36 game home schedule, the Mariners will bring back many favorite theme nights from the past while introducing some new concepts. All theme nights are subject to change, and more will be announced in the coming weeks and months. The 2021-22 season is presented by Hannaford to Go. Opening Night is Friday, October 22nd, against the Worcester Railers at 7:15 PM and is sponsored by Skowhegan Savings. The Mariners will salute local healthcare workers for their dedication through the COVID-19 pandemic. A magnet schedule giveaway will be presented by Portland North Dental. The Mariners have additional surprises planned to celebrate the new Boston Bruins affiliation and the long-awaited return of hockey to the Cross Insurance Arena. On Sunday, October 31st, the Mariners will hold a Halloween-themed game with “Sunday Scaries.” It’s a 3:00 PM afternoon faceoff that will feature a postgame trick-or-treat for kids. In addition, fans are encouraged to dress in costumes and enjoy Halloween music and activities throughout the game. The Mariners partner with the Dempsey Center on Friday, November 5th, a cancer management organization founded by Hollywood star and Lewiston native Patrick Dempsey. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and the month of “Movember,” a hockey-centric men’s health initiative. The Mariners will raise money for the Dempsey Center through a special ticket package and other opportunities throughout the game. One day after Veteran’s Day is Military Appreciation Night on Friday, November 12th, presented by Martin’s Point, honoring the men and women who served and continue to serve the country. The Mariners will wear special camouflage jerseys, which were voted on by the fans last year. Saturday, December 4th, will be the annual Teddy Bear Toss game, also featuring the theme of the Warner Bros. movie “Elf.” This will also be a specialty jersey game with a holiday theme throughout the night. In addition, fans will be encouraged to dress as Santa Claus – to create a “Santa Con!” “Kids Club Day” will focus on the young fans – an afternoon midweek game during holiday break on Wednesday, December 29th at 3 PM. Members of Beacon’s Kids Club will assist Mariners' staff in-game production and have the opportunity to enjoy game day experiences like watching warmups from the bench or dropping the puck. The entire day will be kid-centric. Ring in 2022 with the Mariners, as well! A long-standing Portland hockey tradition, the New Year’s Eve game returns to the Cross Insurance Arena on the final day of 2021. It’s a 5:00 PM face-off on December 31st. On Sunday, January 9th, a night specifically dedicated to the Boston Bruins affiliation will be “Affiliation Day.” The familiar Bruins black and gold color scheme will be featured, and fans will be encouraged to wear their Bruins gear. On Saturday, January 19th, the popular “Throwback Night” returns, emphasizing “throwing it back” to the 1990s – the last time a Bruins affiliate played in Portland. Ticket prices from the 1990s will make a comeback – with all tickets $8 for the game. In addition, season ticket holders will receive a commemorative throwback ticket stub, and a giveaway will be 90s-themed. Alumni appearances included, as always. “Country Night” is scheduled for Saturday, March 19th. Fans will be encouraged to wear cowboy hats and boots and enjoy country music throughout the game. The much anticipated “Maine Wild Blueberries” will return on Saturday, March 26th. We’ll once again experience “what could have been” if the team naming contest had gone differently, as the Mariners become the Wild Blueberries for a night, including the return of the now-famous jerseys. Oakhurst Dairy sponsors the game, which is part of one of four “3Kends” throughout the season, presented by Three Dollar Deweys. Finally, “Fan Appreciation Weekend” closes out the season on April 15th and 16th, with prizes giveaways throughout each game and a celebration of the people that make Mariners hockey possible – the fans! Additional theme nights, giveaways, special ticket packages, and further information on the themes listed above will be announced in the future. In addition, the complete list of specialty jerseys will also be revealed in a separate announcement. The full 2021-22 Mariners schedule can be found here. Full season, half-season, 12-game mini-plans, and 10-ticket flex plans, as well as group tickets, are available now. All new and existing full and half-season ticket holders who deposit by August 1st are eligible to receive an exclusive Mariners jacket (full) or hooded sweatshirt. (half) For a limited time, to commemorate the new affiliation with the Bruins, ticket package deposits are just $19.92. Single-game tickets will go on sale in September. More information on current ticketing options is available by calling 833-GO-MAINE, emailing [email protected], or visiting MarinersOfMaine.com. HOME Read the full article

Nick Master Re-Signs With Mariners BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 27, 2020 – The Mariners added another forward to the mix for 2020-21, announcing the re-signing of Nick Master on Monday. Master originally became a Mariner at the end of the 2018-19 season, but missed the majority of 2019-20 with a wrist injury. “I’m really excited to get back on the ice with the guys considering last year was cut short for me,” said Master. “Seeing both sides of the game from being on the ice and watching last year really made me appreciate not only the game, but the city of Portland and their fan base.” Out of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Master joined the Mariners in late March of 2019, after finishing his collegiate career. He found immediate success, registering seven points (three goals, four assists) in eight games with the Mariners down the stretch. The native of Broomall, PA then re-signed in the summer of 2019. On October 26th, 2019, while playing in his sixth game of 2019-20, Master suffered a wrist injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He had scored one goal in six games. “Being injured last season gave me the opportunity to see what it takes at the pro level and what things I need to be prepared for this upcoming season, said Master. “I can’t stress enough how excited I am to play again and put on that Maine sweater.” Master, Read the full article

Speedy forward looks to bounce back after injury-plagued 2019-20 season BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 27, 2020 – The Mariners added another forward to the mix for 2020-21, announcing the re-signing of Nick Master on Monday. Master originally became a Mariner at the end of the 2018-19 season but missed the majority of 2019-20 with a wrist injury. “I’m really excited to get back on the ice with the guys considering last year was cut short for me,” said Master. “Seeing both sides of the game from being on the ice and watching last year really made me appreciate not only the game but the city of Portland and their fan base.” Out of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Master joined the Mariners in late March of 2019, after finishing his collegiate career. He found immediate success, registering seven points (three goals, four assists) in eight games with the Mariners down the stretch. The native of Broomall, PA then re-signed in the summer of 2019. On October 26th, 2019, while playing in his sixth game of 2019-20, Master suffered a wrist injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He had scored one goal in six games. “Being injured last season gave me the opportunity to see what it takes at the pro level and what things I need to be prepared for this upcoming season, said Master. “I can’t stress enough how excited I am to play again and put on that Maine sweater.” Master, Read the full article

SUNY Geneseo grad led all of DIII hockey in scoring for 2nd straight season BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 20, 2020 – The Mariners announced the signing of rookie forward Andrew Romano on Monday. Romano will join the Mariners from SUNY-Geneseo, where he led all of NCAA Division III hockey in scoring as both a junior and a senior and was a two-time All-American. “I am thrilled to start my pro career with the Mariners,” said Romano. “They have been sincere with me from our first conversation and that is something I really appreciate. I chose the Mariners because they have shown an undeniable respect for their players. I have heard great things about the team’s culture and I am excited to be a part of that.” From Drexel Hill, PA, Romano spent six seasons playing in the Philadelphia area, primarily with the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers program and La Salle College High. He stayed in Pennsylvania for his junior hockey, playing two seasons with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League. In his final season in Johnstown, he posted 56 points in 60 games, including a team-leading 39 assists. From there it was off to the college ranks, and SUNY-Geneseo. Romano (5’8, 170 lbs) was immediately productive for the Ice Knights, averaging nearly a point-per-game as a freshman in 2016-17. He increased his offensive production each season, breaking out in a big way in his junior season of 2018-19. Read the full article

Through the first two seasons, McNicholas leads the franchise in multiple categories BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 6, 2020 – The Maine Mariners announced their third re-signing for the 2020-21 season on Monday, bringing back forward Michael McNicholas. Through the first two seasons of the Mariners' existence, McNicholas is the franchise leader in points, assists, and games played. “Playing in Portland has been really fun for me,” said McNicholas. “It’s been a good experience both years that I’ve played there we’ve had a really good group of guys. We all get along off the ice and we all play well together on the ice so I’m excited for the third year.” The 26-year-old forward from Redondo Beach, CA originally joined the Mariners in November of 2018. McNicholas began the season in Norway, playing 15 games for Manglerud. His signing in Maine marked his second ECHL team, following a brief stint with the Indy Fuel at the end of the 2017-18 season. Joining the Mariners was a return to the New England hockey scene for McNicholas, who had spent the prior four seasons playing collegiately for the University of New Hampshire. His best college season came as a junior when he racked up 43 points in 37 games, good for second on the team in 2016-17. McNicholas scored his first professional goal in a 3-1 home win against the Worcester Railers on November 10th, 2018. Read the full article

  Mariners use jersey auctions and t-shirt sales to help the local community BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – June 30, 2020 – The Maine Mariners announced on Wednesday that they have raised $3700 for local COVID-19 relief efforts, a dollar figure that will continue to be added to. So far, funds have been raised through a pair of exclusive jersey auctions and a t-shirt sale. “It’s so inspiring to see the Maine community come together during these tough times to support the people and organizations that have been hit the hardest,” said Mariners V.P. of Operations Danny Briere. “We are thrilled to be able to use our platform to give back and will continue to do so in times of hardship but also when times are better again.” From April 1st through April 24th, the Mariners sold “HOME” t-shirts through the online store for $20 each, net proceeds primarily benefitting the United Way of Greater Portland, but also other local COVID-19 relief efforts. A total of 109 shirts were sold, with a limited amount of additional shirts to become available in the near future. Between April 20th and May 1st, seven exclusive jerseys with a similar design as the t-shirt went up for auction through Handbid. Each jersey raised money for a specific organization: Biddeford Schools, Gorham Schools, Gray/New Gloucester schools, Portland Public Schools, South Portland Schools, Good Shepherd Food Bank, and the United Way of Greater Portland. Read the full article

Michael Keeley talks hockey from home with players and coaches BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners  PORTLAND, ME – April 7, 2020 – Although there’s been a lack of sports in the world over the last month, the Mariners will be bringing some hockey talkback starting this Thursday night. Media Relations and Broadcast Manager Michael Keeley will be hosting a new show on the Mariners Radio Network called “Quarantime,” in which Mariners players and coaches will call in and join the conversation. The first show will air on Thursday from 5-6 PM ET and will stream live on the Mariners Radio Network, powered by Mixlr. Fans can tune in at MarinersOfMaine.com/listen, Mixlr.com/MaineMariners, or through the Mixlr App, available wherever apps can be downloaded. Keeley will speak with Mariners Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Riley Armstrong from 5-5:30 and forward Dillan Fox will call in from 5:30-6 PM. Listeners can submit questions for guests live through the Mixlr chat. “I think it’s important to bring the conversation back to hockey every now and then, as an escape from the stresses of our current situation,” said Keeley. “It’s been rough for all fans, athletes, and those who work in the sports industry to have virtually no ‘sports escape’ outlets in our lives for the last month. Hopefully, we can take people’s minds off of the virus for a little while.” Thursday’s show will focus on a recap of the 2019-20 season, how Armstrong and Fox are spending their time at home, and a look toward the summer. For fans that can’t tune in to the show live, the full recording will be available on the audio archive at this link. Information on future shows will be posted on Mariners' social media channels as well as MarinersOfMaine.com. The Mariners are raising funds for COVID-19 relief efforts including the United Way of Greater Portland, through sales of an exclusive t-shirt at their online store. The shirt is $20 and is being sold through the end of the business day on April 24th. It can be purchased at this link. Net proceeds benefit the United Way and other local COVID-19 relief funds. Read the full article