By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
This past January, the Maine Mariners made a trade with the Kalamazoo Wings to acquire forward Antonio Venuto in exchange for future considerations. The Mariners were Venuto’s second ECHL team in his career. Venuto finished out the 2025-26 ECHL season with the Mariners and had a solid finish overall to his season.
Now, Venuto, 26, is back with the Mariners, as he has signed a new contract for the upcoming 2026-27 season. From how Venuto finished this past season, there’s reason to be excited for what he can do in a full season in Maine.
After being acquired by the Mariners, Venuto recorded 20 points in 44 games, including 12 goals. Combined with the Wings and Mariners, Venuto recorded 34 points in 66 games this past season. So far in his ECHL career, Venuto has recorded 36 points in 77 games.
Venuto’s value for the Mariners grew during the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs when he recorded seven points. Venuto’s four goals were tied for third on the roster. Two of Venuto’s biggest moments of last season were when he recorded a two-point game in the Mariners’ Game 3 win against the Adirondack Thunder in the 2026 North Division Semifinals. Venuto’s other big moment was when he recorded an assist on Nick Anderson’s game-winning goal in Game 7 against the Thunder.
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