( Photo Credit: Brianna Soukup / Press Herald Staff Photographer )

By: Tom LaPlante | Follow me on Twitter @tlaplante7

The Maine Mariners, the ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, just announced on Monday that their only head coach in current franchise history, Riley Armstrong, has accepted a position with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the top minor-pro affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Equipment manager Jake Rogers has been promoted to the AHL as well, leaving the team here in Maine to announce a new coach, general manager, and equipment manager tomorrow. Armstrong had assumed duties as the team’s general manager before the 2019-2020 season, so it will be interesting to see what they decide to do with the front office portion of Armstrong’s role.

All the rumors point to former UMaine Black Bear Ben Guite as Armstrong’s successor as head coach, but I have not seen or read anything regarding a GM candidate yet. Obviously, we’ll have to wait for the club to make their announcements. Check me out here on the blog and on Twitter for all the Mariners news and an in-depth look at the new coach and staff.