By: Jack Studley | Follow me on Twitter/X @jackstudley13
On Monday morning, the Maine Mariners and the Boston Bruins announced the extension of their affiliate agreement through the 2027-28 season. The Mariners will continue to serve the Boston and Providence Bruins as their “AA” affiliate, playing in the ECHL. This season will be the Mariners’ fifth as the Bruins’ affiliate, as they have been in the organization since 2021. This will be a three-year contract, taking us through year seven by the time it concludes.
Last season, Maine finished 33-35-4, 10th in the Eastern Conference, and missed the playoffs. They were in the Kelly Cup playoffs the two seasons before. Dexter Paine, a lifelong Bruins fan and New Hampshire resident, purchased the Mariners last year. One of Paine’s goals was to prioritize the affiliation agreement with the Bruins and ultimately stabilize and grow the partnership. Part of that was working close with Don Sweeney and Providence general manager Evan Gold. This summer, the Mariners hired Rick Kowalsky as head coach and general manager, making him the first head coach brought on by the new ownership.
This affiliation has more history than just the five seasons as the ECHL affiliate. From 1987-92, the Maine Mariners were an American Hockey League team and the Boston Bruins’ primary affiliate. The Mariners moved to Providence, becoming the Providence Bruins in 1992. Maine will continue to serve as Providence’s top affiliate and the starting spot for the Bruins’ development pipeline.
The Bruins have had an ECHL affiliate every season since 1991, but none closer to Boston and Providence than the Mariners. Previous partnerships were formed with the Johnstown Chiefs, Charlotte Checkers, Greenville Grrrowl, Reading Royals, South Carolina Stingrays, and the Atlanta Gladiators.
The three minor league sports teams in Portland, Maine, are all affiliated with professional teams in Boston: the Mariners (Bruins), the Maine Celtics (Celtics), and the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox).
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