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Maine Mariners (AHL)

From Alfawiki
Maine Mariners
Company typeProfessional ice hockey teams
IndustryIce hockey
FoundedMay 1977; 49 years ago (1977-05)
Defunct1992 (1992)
Headquarters
Portland
,
United States
ProductsIce hockey teams competing in the American Hockey League

The Maine Mariners refers to two distinct professional ice hockey squads that competed in the American Hockey League, both stationed in Portland, Maine and playing at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

First franchise

Following the completion of the Cumberland County Civic Center in 1976, several groups vied to bring a minor league hockey team to Portland. Contenders included the World Hockey Association's Quebec Nordiques, the AHL's Providence Reds, and the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. The Nordiques already operated the nearby Maine Nordiques in the North American Hockey League (1973–77), while Rhode Island proposed hosting some games in Portland without relocating their team. The first AHL game at the new arena was played by the Providence Reds in March 1977.

In May 1977, Philadelphia acquired exclusive rights to establish a farm team in Portland, resulting in the creation of the Maine Mariners. This development contributed to the folding of both the Maine Nordiques and the NAHL after 1977. The Mariners entered the AHL for the 1977–78 AHL season, joining other teams such as the Hampton Gulls and Philadelphia Firebirds. Meanwhile, the Providence Reds moved and became the Binghamton Dusters that same year.

Under head coach Bob McCammon, the Mariners played their debut regular season game on October 14, 1977, suffering a 5–1 defeat against the Firebirds. Their first home appearance attracted an audience of 6,566 spectators facing Binghamton.

Remarkably, the Mariners captured the Calder Cup championship during each of their initial two seasons (1977–78 and 1978–79), overcoming the New Haven Nighthawks on both occasions. This feat was later equaled by Portland’s subsequent AHL franchise, the Portland Pirates.

During the 1980–81 campaign, goaltender Pelle Lindbergh became unique in winning both the league’s regular season MVP and rookie of the year awards simultaneously. Although Maine advanced to that season’s Calder Cup final, they were defeated by the Adirondack Red Wings. The team returned to the finals in 1983 but was swept by the Rochester Americans.

Ownership shifted from Philadelphia to the NHL’s New Jersey Devils prior to the 1983–84 season; nevertheless, Maine maintained its original orange and black color scheme instead of adopting New Jersey’s red and green palette. Despite finishing with a losing record (33–36–11) that year, they secured their third Calder Cup by defeating Rochester four games to one. This marked their fifth finals appearance within seven seasons. Interestingly, no players earned all-star selections or league awards during this championship run; however, Bud Stefanski received recognition as the first-ever AHL playoff MVP.

Second franchise

Following the conclusion of the 1986–87 season, New Jersey relocated its Mariners franchise to Utica, New York, where it became known as the Utica Devils. Nevertheless, Portland swiftly regained an AHL team through an expansion franchise affiliated with the Boston Bruins, announced by Bruins GM Harry Sinden. This new team retained the Mariners’ name, logo, and historical legacy but adopted Boston’s black, gold, and white colors. After five seasons in Portland, concluding with the 1991–92 AHL season, this incarnation of the Mariners moved to Providence, Rhode Island, rebranding as the Providence Bruins. Under Bruins ownership, playoff appearances occurred twice; however, they consistently finished fifth in their North Division. Team president Ed Anderson cited an annual loss of approximately 250 season ticket holders and cumulative losses nearing $500,000 since this second Mariners franchise began. Additionally, dissatisfaction with lease conditions at the Cumberland County Civic Arena influenced relocation decisions. The final game played under the Mariners name ended with a 12–1 defeat against the Fredericton Canadiens on April 4, 1992.

Portland welcomed back AHL hockey one year later when the Baltimore Skipjacks franchise relocated and became known as the Portland Pirates. The Pirates competed in Maine until 2016, primarily hosting games at Cumberland County Civic Center; due to renovations and lease disagreements, they temporarily shifted home games to the Androscoggin Bank Colisée in Lewiston, Maine between 2013 and 2015. In 2016, this franchise moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, adopting the name Springfield Thunderbirds.

The Maine Mariners identity was revived once more by an ECHL team established in Portland in 2018.

Additional professional hockey teams that have served this market include:

Regular season

Season Games Wins Losses Ties OTL Points Goals
Scored		 Goals
Allowed		 Position
1977–78 80 43 28 9 — 95 305 256 1st, North
1978–79 80 45 22 13 — 103 350 252 1st, North
1979–80 80 41 28 11 — 93 307 266 3rd, North
1980–81 80 45 28 7 — 97 319 292 1st, North
1981–82 80 47 26 7 — 101 325 272 2nd, North
1982–83 80 39 33 8 — 86 342 309 3rd, North
1983–84 80 33 36 11 — 77 310 312 3rd, North
1984–85 80 38 32 10 — 86 296 266 1st, North
1985–86 80 40 31 9 — 89 274 285 2nd, North
1986–87 80 35 40 5* 75 272 298 5th, North
1987–88 80 44 25 7 4 99 308 284 1st, North
1988–89 80 32 40 8 — 72 262 317 5th, North
1989–90 80 31 38 11 — 73 294 317 5th, North
1990–91 80 34 34 12 — 80 269 284 5th, North
1991–92 80 23 47 10 — 56 296 352 5th, North
  • Overtime losses were tracked in certain seasons.

Playoffs

Season Preliminary Round First Round Second Round Championships
1977–78 — bye W, 4–3, NS W, 4–1, NH
1978–79 — bye W, 4–2, NS W, 4–0, NH
1979–80 — W, 4–2, NS L, 2–4, NB —
1980–81 — W, 4–3, SPR W, 4–3, NB L, 2–4, ADIR
1981–82 — L, 1–3, NS — —
1982–83 — W, 4–3, NS W, 4–2, FRED L, 0–4, ROCH
1983-84 | — | W ,4-3 , ADIR | W ,4-1 , NS | W ,4-1 , ROCH
1984-85 | — | W ,4-2 , NS | L ,1-4 , SHER | —
1985-86 | — | L ,1-4 , MONC | — | —
1986-87 | colspan="4" | Did not qualify for postseason.
1987-88 | — | W ,4-1 , NS | L ,1-4 , FRED | —
1988-89 | colspan="4" | Did not reach playoffs.
1989-90 | colspan="4" | Missed postseason.
1990-91 | L ,7-12 , FRED † | — | — | —
1991-92 | colspan="4" | Failed to qualify for playoffs.

† Series decided by aggregate goals over two games.

Noteworthy Figures

  • Brian Burke — Served as General Manager for the Anaheim Ducks and secured the Stanley Cup title in the 2006–07 season.
  • Ken Daneyko — Achieved three Stanley Cup victories and received the 2000 Bill Masterton Trophy; appeared in 1,283 NHL contests representing the New Jersey Devils.
  • Ken Linseman — Competed in 860 NHL games and was part of the Edmonton Oilers team that won the Stanley Cup in 1983–84.
  • Pete Peeters — Participated in 489 NHL matches and earned the Vezina Trophy during the 1982–83 campaign.
  • Alain Vigneault — NHL head coach honored with the Jack Adams Award while coaching the Vancouver Canucks in 2006–07.

External links

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