By: Tom LaPlante | Follow me on Twitter @tlaplante7

The Maine Mariners, the ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, are wheeling and dealing today as they made a trade today acquiring forward Cameron Askew from the South Carolina Stingrays in exchange for the always intriguing “future considerations.” Askew has spent his entire pro career in South Carolina with the Stingrays but was born in Boston and played his prep hockey there before moving onto the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2014.

Askew played in 145 games over the last three seasons, with South Carolina putting up 69 points with 38 goals and 31 assists. Prior to going pro in 2018 with the Stingrays, Askew played in the QMJHL with Drummondville, Moncton, Shawinigan, and Charlottetown. With those four clubs combined, he scored 100 goals and 118 assists for 218 points in 327 games. His best season was 2015-2016 with Moncton, where he scored 65 points in 66 games with 32 goals.

Listed at 6’3″ and 209-pounds, he should be able to use his size to get to the net and create chances for Ben Guite, who had this to say about Askew on the Mariners’ website. “He’s an experienced player that strengthens our forward group with his size, grittiness, and ability to score. He has the ability to play up and down our lineup and help on both special teams’ units.

Cam’s best hockey is still ahead of him, and we are looking forward to seeing him do it in a Mariners uniform.” I hope that coming back to play closer to home in the Bruins system will kickstart Askew’s career and see him reach heights similar to 2015-2016. Granted, he played with future NHL’er Conor Garland that year, but the potential is there.

The 2021 Mariners calendar is jam-packed with theme nights and specialty jerseys. Which, if we’re honest, is one of the best things about minor league sports. It’s only been two seasons, but the Maine Mariners do not disappoint when it comes to the theme/specialty jersey night. Their Wild Blueberries theme during the inaugural season won ECHL Theme Night of the year and will return for 2021-2022.

Please read the entire release from the Mariners here, but you might want to mark your calendar for Sunday, March 26th, 2021, when the Blueberries return. On January 9th, 2021, is Affiliation Day, as the team will celebrate the new affiliation with a black and gold color scheme, and fans will be encouraged to wear their finest Bruins attire. On a similar vibe is Saturday, February 19th, 2021, for the 90’s “Throwback Night” theme that will feature themed giveaways, Alumni appearances, and perhaps the best homage to the ’90s will be ticket prices, as all seats will be $8, according to the release.

Halloween is on a Sunday this year, and after the game at 3 pm, which will feature fans dressed in costumes and Halloween music, kids will get to go trick-or-treating in the locker room. Sticking with the holiday theme, Saturday, December 4 is the always popular Teddy Bear Toss game, and it will also have a Christmas theme with the Mariners wearing “Elf” jerseys. There are a lot more themed games on the schedule, and of course, Opening Night is Friday, October 22, which will also feature a special jersey and “other surprises,” according to the team. Make sure you check out the team’s website and follow me here on the blog and on Twitter for all things Mariners.