By: Ryan Finch | Follow me on Twitter/X @RyanFinch0815
The Maine Mariners have added another experienced piece to their forward group, signing David Jankowski for the 2026-27 season. For a team coming off the most successful season in franchise history, adding players with a proven track record at the ECHL level is an important part of building for what comes next. Jankowski brings exactly that: experience, offensive ability, special-teams production and a familiarity with the league that should allow him to step into Maine’s lineup and contribute immediately.
The 29-year-old forward from Dundas, Ontario has spent the majority of his professional career in the ECHL, where he has established himself as a reliable offensive contributor. Jankowski made his professional debut with the Wheeling Nailers at the end of the 2022-23 season and immediately made an impression, recording three goals and three assists in his first seven games. He followed that with back-to-back 37-point seasons in Wheeling, scoring 11 goals and adding 26 assists in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns.
His first full professional season was particularly impressive. Jankowski finished tied for fifth on Wheeling in scoring and led all first-year players on the team with 37 points. He also became an important contributor on the power play, recording five power-play goals and 13 power-play points.
There were several standout performances along the way. Jankowski recorded a two-goal game against Toledo in November 2023, including the game-winning goal, while also producing three-point performances against Reading and Cincinnati during that season.
The following season, he again reached 37 points while appearing in all 70 regular-season games for Wheeling. His 11 goals and 26 assists helped establish a level of consistency that has become a defining part of his professional career.
Jankowski’s 2025-26 season took him through two different ECHL stops. He began the year with the Norfolk Admirals, recording one goal and seven assists in 19 games before joining the Jacksonville Icemen. In Jacksonville, he found his offensive game again, producing eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 43 games. Combined, he finished the season with 32 points in 62 games.
His career numbers tell the story of a player who has consistently found ways to contribute offensively. Through 208 regular-season ECHL games, Jankowski has recorded 34 goals and 78 assists for 112 points. He has also produced 10 power-play goals and 78 assists while maintaining a relatively low penalty total of 42 minutes.
But Jankowski’s hockey background extends well beyond his professional numbers. Before turning pro, he spent five seasons playing college hockey between St. Lawrence University and Michigan Tech. Across 138 NCAA games, he recorded 24 goals and 38 assists for 62 points.
One of the biggest highlights of his collegiate career came during the 2020-21 season at St. Lawrence. The Saints captured the ECAC Tournament championship with consecutive overtime victories over Colgate and Quinnipiac. Jankowski played a starring role in the championship game, scoring the overtime winner against Quinnipiac and adding an assist earlier in the contest.
The following season, he was named captain of St. Lawrence, adding another important piece to his resume. His leadership experience continued to develop before he eventually moved on to Michigan Tech and began his professional career. There is also a unique hockey lineage attached to the Jankowski name.
David is the grandson of Lou Jankowski, who played 127 games in the NHL. His father, Len, played college hockey at Cornell, while his brother Mark has gone on to play hundreds of games in the NHL.
Now, David gets an opportunity to bring that experience to Portland.
For Mariners fans, Jankowski is not completely unfamiliar. He has already played against Maine during his ECHL career, meaning he has experienced the atmosphere at Cross Insurance Arena from the opposing side. He has also faced the Mariners multiple times during his years in Wheeling and throughout his time in the league. This time, however, he’ll be wearing the home jersey.
That could make Jankowski an intriguing addition to a Maine forward group that has undergone plenty of change this offseason. The Mariners lost several significant offensive contributors from last year’s team, including Max Andreev, Jacob Hudson, Brooklyn Kalmikov and Xander Lamppa. Replacing that production will not fall on one player, but adding an established ECHL scorer like Jankowski gives Rick Kowalsky another proven option to work with.
Jankowski’s ability to contribute on the power play could be particularly valuable. During his first full ECHL season, he demonstrated that he can find the back of the net with the man advantage, while his career numbers show a player who is comfortable creating offense and setting up teammates. Just as importantly, he brings experience.
Maine’s younger players will have plenty of room to grow this season, but having veterans who have already navigated the ups and downs of professional hockey can make a significant difference over a 72-game schedule and into the postseason. Jankowski has played in more than 200 ECHL regular-season games and has experienced the intensity of playoff hockey as well.
The Mariners aren’t simply trying to recreate last season. They’re trying to build upon it. After winning 42 games, collecting a franchise-record 93 points and advancing to the North Division Finals, the expectations surrounding Maine have changed. The organization has made it clear that last year’s success was a foundation rather than a finish line. Jankowski’s arrival fits that philosophy.
He isn’t coming to Portland as an unknown prospect hoping to establish himself in the ECHL. He’s arriving as a player with more than 200 games of professional experience, three seasons of at least 37 points, a championship-winning moment at the collegiate level and a proven ability to contribute offensively and on special teams.
Now he gets the opportunity to add another chapter to his career—and hopefully help write one of the most important chapters in Mariners history. For Maine, the message behind the signing is simple: last season raised the bar, and the organization is continuing to add pieces capable of meeting it.
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