By: Benjamin Kennedy | Follow me on Twitter / X @marinershockey1
As the August sun swoons the coastal waters of Maine, a light touch from a crisp breeze is felt floating above the early morning dew. This is an all-too-familiar reminder of the approaching fall season and the return of the sport we all love: hockey.
The Maine Mariners are entering their sixth season of play and seventh season of calling Portland home. The summer has seen a litany of changes for the club, everything from new ownership to assistant coaching changes and even changes to the Cross Insurance Arena itself. Roster turnover is, of course, inevitable and expected year to year. As Coach Wallin continues to build his team, what should fans expect to see on the ice this season?
The Mariners have enjoyed three straight trips to the Kelly Cup Playoffs, each ending in disappointing first-round exits. Hope was alive after being up two games to one versus Adirondack and carrying a three-to-one lead into the third period of Game Four. Four goals on 15 shots over the next 20 minutes by the Thunder, followed by two shutouts over the next three games, buried what was lining up to be a long spring postseason run. The Mariners could only muster two goals over the final ten periods of play, a reminder of how challenging and exceptional playoff success can be.
For a fourth consecutive Kelly Cup run to occur, the Mariners must do it without their leading scorer from a year ago. Alex Kile is off to the Kelly Cup champions Florida Everblades, leaving a hole at the top of this roster. However, with change comes opportunity. Second-leading scorer, Brooklyn Kalmikov returns and will have every chance to build off his 21/28/49 performance from a year ago.
Along with Kalmikov, forwards Wyllum Deveaux, Bennett Stockdale, and Xander Lamppa all return, giving fans familiar names to follow this coming season. After spending a season in the EIHL overseas, Carter Johnson also returns to Maine, bringing his 6’3″ frame and 13/22/35 line with him. While the roster is far from complete, this forward group represents exciting levels of scoring potential.
Goalie Brad Arvanitis will be back between the pipes, which is welcomed news for Mariner fans. Coming off a 20-win season and a .920 save percentage, the 26-year-old netminder did everything he could to keep his team’s playoff hopes alive last year, posting three wins and a 1.69 goals-against average. The most likely candidate to join Arvanitis is Ryan Bischel, who signed with Providence in March after finishing up a stellar career at the University of Notre Dame. The goalie domino effect between Boston and Providence is expected to lead Bischel to Portland as the season begins.
A clearer picture of the Mariners’ Kelly Cup hopes will emerge as the roster forms with more work to do before the 2024/25 regular season puck drop. However, there is already much to like about what Coach Wallin has assembled. There should be optimism for Mariner diehards, a fanbase that has not seen a professional hockey championship since the 1993-94 AHL Calder Cup-winning Portland Pirates. The season kicks off on Friday, October 18th, against the Wheeling Nailers.
Nice article with plenty of interest for all.