By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter / X @BlackAndGold277
The puck drops tonight as the ECHL’s Maine Mariners kick off their 2026-27 regular season on the road, facing North Division rival Worcester Railers at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. This meeting marks the first of three straight games between the two squads to open the campaign, with the Mariners eager to build on last year’s franchise-best success.
The Mariners, proud affiliates of the National Hockey League’s Boston Bruins through at least the 2027-28 season, are coming off a record 42-21-0-9 regular season and a deep Kelly Cup Playoffs run. Their performance last year gave the organization and supporting fans hope that a league championship is within reach, with several players making significant strides under the tutelage of head coach and general manager Rick Kowalsky and staff.
Kowalsky, who enters his second year behind the Mariners’ bench, recently inked a three-year contract extension, ensuring his leadership in Portland through at least the 2028-29 season. Mariners owner Dexter Paine emphasized the importance of retaining Kowalsky, telling MaineMariners.com: “After a historic season for our franchise, we are excited to retain Rick for three more years. Under Rick’s leadership last season, we took a major step toward building a Kelly Cup Champion. Securing Rick and his staff for the long term provides stability that will help us achieve that ultimate goal of bringing the Cup to Portland.”
Coach Kowalsky echoed the excitement, adding: “It was great reconnecting with the city of Portland and the state of Maine last season, and I look forward to continuing to grow the organization to compete for and ultimately win a Kelly Cup. I want to thank the Paine family for entrusting me with the long-term future of the franchise and providing us with all the necessary resources to achieve our goals.”
The Mariners’ opening night roster features a blend of returning talent and promising newcomers:
Forwards (12):
- Wyllum Deveaux
- Ben Allison
- Ryan Francis
- Mason Primeau
- Nolan Renwick
- Maxim Andreev
- Antonio Venuto
- Jack Works
- Linus Hemstrom
- Ryan McGuire
- Robert Cronin
- Kalle Vaisanen
Defensemen (7):
- Nick Anderson
- Jaxon Bellamy
- Connor Doherty
- Michael Underwood
- Jack Bar
- Owen Gallatin
- Dylan MacKinnon
Goaltenders (3):
- Max Lundgren
- Luke Cavallin
- Christian Propp
After tonight’s tilt in Worcester, the Mariners return to Portland for a back-to-back matinee set against the Railers at the Cross Insurance Arena—starting with their home opener next Saturday at 1pm. With a core group of hungry returnees, a fresh influx of talent, and a championship-minded coaching staff, the Mariners are poised for another exciting run as they pursue their first Kelly Cup title.
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