By: Ryan Finch | Follow me on Twitter/X @RyanFinch0815
The Maine Mariners are saying goodbye to one of their key contributors as Jacob Hudson begins the next chapter of his hockey journey overseas with EC-KAC of the ICEHL. Hudson will join one of the league’s top organizations after EC-KAC finished second in the ICEHL standings and advanced to the postseason. For any hockey player, the goal is to continue growing, improving, and earning new opportunities. For Hudson, that opportunity has arrived.
Hudson first joined the Mariners during the 2024-25 season as a young forward looking to make his mark, and he wasted little time proving he belonged. In 61 games, Hudson recorded 15 goals and 23 assists while quickly becoming a fan favorite in Maine. During the 2025-26 season, Hudson continued to elevate his game and became one of the Mariners’ most reliable offensive contributors.
He helped lead the team to a historic playoff run, posting 23 goals and 26 assists over 63 regular-season games. His strong performance also earned him an opportunity at the next level, as he appeared in three games with the AHL’s Providence Bruins. When the postseason arrived, Hudson continued to deliver. During Maine’s playoff run, he recorded six goals and 10 assists in 14 games, proving to be a major part of the team’s deepest playoff run in franchise history.
Hudson made an immediate impact both on the ice and inside the Maine Mariners locker room. Throughout the 2025-26 season, he became one of the team’s most reliable offensive contributors and formed one of the Mariners’ most dangerous combinations alongside Max Andreev. Jacob was even honored to wear the A as an alternate captain, proving just exactly what he meant to his teammates and the locker room.
The chemistry between Hudson and Andreev was evident every night. The two were rarely separated on the ice and became a key part of Maine’s offensive attack, especially on the power play. Hudson was consistently trusted in high-pressure situations, whether it was creating scoring chances, providing top-line energy, or stepping onto the ice during shootout opportunities. His ability to deliver in important moments quickly made him one of the players teammates and coaches could rely on.
Before making his mark in Maine, Hudson built his career through the U SPORTS league at St. Francis Xavier University. Over three seasons and 74 games, Hudson recorded 37 goals and 51 assists, establishing himself as a consistent offensive threat. Following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season at St. Francis Xavier, Hudson made the jump to professional hockey with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. Although his time in South Carolina was brief, Hudson made an immediate impression, recording six goals and three assists in just 13 games.
That strong stretch caught the attention of then-Maine Mariners head coach Terrence Wallin, who saw the potential in the young forward. In July 2024, Hudson signed with Maine for his first full professional season, and he quickly showed why the Mariners believed he could be an important part of their future. Hudson did not just become another player on the roster — he became a difference-maker.
Now Hudson gets the chance to test himself internationally with EC-KAC, joining a program that competes among the best in the ICEHL. For Hudson, it represents another step in a career built on improvement. While fans here in Maine will most definitely be saddened by losing Hudson overseas, many will still be very excited to follow Hudson’s career and hope there’s still a chance Hudson could return to Maine. For Jacob, Maine may have been a launching point, but definitely not his final destination.
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