By: Ryan Finch | Follow me on Twitter/X @RyanFinch0815
The heartbeat of the Maine Mariners will remain in Portland, as captain Wyllum Deveaux has re-signed with the club for the 2026-27 season. Deveaux is returning for his fourth season with the Maine Mariners and his third as the Captain.
Unfortunately, Deveaux’s 2025-26 season was derailed almost immediately after he suffered an injury in the season opener against the Worcester Railers. The injury sidelined the Mariners’ captain for much of the regular season, limiting him to just six games before the playoffs. Despite the long absence, Deveaux returned when his team needed him most. He appeared in all 14 playoff games, providing leadership, experience, and a steady presence as the Mariners made the deepest postseason run in franchise history.
Deveaux joined the Maine Mariners for the 2023-24 season after beginning his professional career with the Wheeling Nailers during the 2022-23 campaign. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact in Portland, as he appeared in 46 games, recording 13 goals and 11 assists while also earning a brief call-up to the Providence Bruins.
The following season marked a significant turning point for the Mariners. Following the departures of captain Connor Doherty and alternate captain Alex Kile to the Florida Everblades, the organization was searching for a new leader to guide the team forward. That search came to an end in January 2025 when the Mariners named Wyllum Deveaux as the franchise’s new captain. It didn’t take long for fans to embrace their new leader, with chants of “That’s our captain!” regularly echoing throughout Cross Insurance Arena whenever Deveaux made a big hit, blocked a key shot, or delivered a timely play. His relentless work ethic, selfless style of play, and commitment to his teammates quickly made him one of the most respected players in the organization.
While Deveaux’s statistics have always been important, his greatest value comes in the leadership he provides every day. Whether setting the tone in practice, blocking shots late in games, or mentoring younger players, Deveaux has become an extension of head coach Rick Kowalsky on the ice.
Throughout the offseason, several former Mariners pointed to Deveaux as one of the biggest reasons behind the team’s culture. Teammates consistently described him as a leader who set the standard every day, helping establish the hard-working, team-first mentality that defined one of the most successful seasons in franchise history.
Bringing back the captain gives the Mariners something every successful team needs—continuity. With several key players departing for Europe and the AHL, having Deveaux return provides stability both on the ice and in the locker room. While goals and assists help tell part of Deveaux’s story, they don’t fully capture his value. His willingness to sacrifice his body, play in every situation, and put the team’s success ahead of his own made him one of the most respected players in the organization.
With a healthy offseason behind him, Deveaux will once again be expected to anchor the Mariners’ leadership group as the team looks to build on last year’s historic playoff run. His return gives Maine a familiar face to lead both returning veterans and a new wave of players into the 2026-27 season.
In an offseason filled with change, one thing remains constant—the Maine Mariners will once again be led by the captain who has become the heart and soul of the organization. For Mariners fans, there may not have been a more important signing than seeing William Deveaux return to wear the “C” once again.
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