By: Ryan Finch | Follow me on Twitter/X @RyanFinch0815
For Xavier Henry, it only took one weekend in Portland to realize that Maine was somewhere he wanted to be. Henry’s first experience with the Maine Mariners came late last season, when he spent only a brief amount of time in the city. It wasn’t long enough to truly experience everything Portland and the Mariners organization had to offer, but it was enough to leave an impression. When the opportunity came to return for the 2026-27 season, Henry knew he wanted to take it.
“Last year I was only here for a weekend and when I first landed in Portland I knew I loved it here and wanted to be here,” Henry said.
That immediate connection with Portland was a major factor in his decision, but the coaching staff played an equally important role. Henry said conversations with head coach and general manager Rick Kowalsky and assistant coach Zach Tolkinen helped convince him that Maine was the right place for the next stage of his career. Their philosophy, style of play and willingness to help him pursue his goal of reaching the American Hockey League and eventually moving even further up the professional hockey ladder all appealed to him.
“The coaching staff was a huge factor,” Henry said. “Coach Rick Kowalsky and Zach Tolkinen were great to talk to and learn their views. Their style of play and helping me achieve my dreams of going further in my career to the AHL and beyond were a huge factor. Also talking with Wyllum Deveaux was big factor too. He is the captain and speaks highly of the coaches. He was a huge help with my decision.”
Henry has also heard plenty of positive things about Kowalsky from inside the Mariners locker room. Captain Wyllum Deveaux has spoken highly of the coach and the way he recognizes players who consistently put in the work and make plays, something Henry said stood out to him.
“Wyllum Deveaux speaks highly of Kowalsky and says that Kowalsky notices hard work and making plays,” Henry said. “He encourages great skills too.”
That philosophy fits with Henry’s own goals for the upcoming season. After getting his feet wet last year, he doesn’t want to spend the first several weeks of 2026-27 trying to find his game. Instead, he wants Mariners fans and his teammates to see exactly what he can bring from the opening night.
“My goal this year is to come out and show my style of play from the first game and not wait till like game 10 to find my groove,” Henry said.
For Henry, that starts with being dependable in his own end. He wants to establish himself as a defenseman his teammates can trust, someone who can play strong defensively, win battles, get the puck out of danger and make the simple play when it is needed. At the same time, he knows there will be opportunities to contribute offensively, and he wants to take advantage of those chances when they come.
“To show what I can do, be reliable on defense, to play strong, clear the puck out of our end and to add some offense when I can,” Henry said.
Having familiar faces around him should make that transition even easier. One defenseman Henry is particularly excited to reunite with is Nick Anderson, who he played alongside last season. Henry said the two developed chemistry quickly and that he feels comfortable playing alongside Anderson, who he described as a defensively sound player.
“I really look forward to playing with Nick Anderson,” Henry said. “I played with him last season and we clicked right away. I feel really comfortable playing with him and he’s a defensively sound player.”
Henry also hasn’t forgotten what Anderson did during Maine’s historic playoff run. With the Mariners facing the Adirondack Thunder in Game 7 of the North Division Semifinals, Anderson scored the late third-period goal that gave Maine the lead and ultimately delivered the franchise’s first-ever playoff series victory.
“And he knows how to score a goal, especially his game winner in Game 7 last year against the Thunder,” Henry said.
Henry is also looking forward to playing alongside Jaxon Bellamy, another returning defenseman he believes has a similar style of play. Beyond the similarities on the ice, Henry said Bellamy is someone he looks forward to talking with and learning from. Veteran Connor Doherty provides another opportunity for growth, with Henry looking forward to learning from a player who has spent years in professional hockey and previously wore the captain’s ‘C’ in Maine.
“Jaxon Bellamy is awesome to talk with and learn from,” Henry said. “Connor Doherty will be great to learn from as he’s a strong veteran and a former captain with this team.”
While the defensive group gives Henry plenty to look forward to, it is the Mariners’ fanbase that may have left the biggest impression on him during his brief time in Portland last season.
Henry remembers arriving for Blueberry Weekend and being surprised by the reception he received from Mariners fans, even though he wasn’t yet one of their players.
“Really the diehard fanbase is a huge factor,” Henry said. “Last year I was only here for the Blueberry Weekend and I was shocked that fans actually wanted my autograph and to meet me.”
Now, Henry will have the opportunity to experience that passion as a member of the Mariners. He said the team’s specialty jersey nights are another part of the organization that excites him, and he’s already looking forward to seeing what Maine has planned for this season.
“It’s really cool to see how much the fans love their minor league sports here in Maine,” Henry said.
That connection with the community is something Henry wants to build on throughout the season. He is looking forward to exploring Portland, getting to know the area and becoming more involved with the community away from the rink. For a player who only had a weekend to experience Maine last season, he’s ready to make up for lost time.
“The community is amazing and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” Henry said. “Also really looking forward to exploring Portland and seeing everything that I can while I am here.”
Of course, the ultimate reason Henry is returning is hockey. The Mariners are coming off the best season in franchise history, collecting 93 points, winning 42 games, capturing their first playoff series and advancing to the North Division Finals before falling one victory short of the Eastern Conference Finals. For Henry, that success created an opportunity rather than simply something to look back on. He wants to help Maine take the next step.
“I am really excited to play for Maine and in front of these fans and to make them proud every night,” Henry said. “Last year they had a really successful season and unfortunately came up short.”
Henry isn’t shy about what he hopes the end of the 2026-27 season looks like. He believes the Mariners have the right combination of players and character to compete for the ultimate prize, and he wants to play a meaningful role in getting them there.
“I am looking forward to contributing to the team this season and bringing home the Kelly Cup,” Henry said. “I believe we have the right group of guys and character to achieve that!”
For Henry, however, building something in Maine means more than winning hockey games. He wants to become part of the community, get to know the people who fill Cross Insurance Arena and give the fans the same reason to be excited about the Mariners that he already feels about being here.
“I am also really excited to meet all of the fans and to get to know them and build something big with this community,” Henry said.
Last season, Xavier Henry arrived in Portland and spent only a weekend getting a glimpse of what makes the Mariners and their fanbase special. This year, he’ll return as a member of the blue line, with familiar teammates around him, a coach he believes can help take his career to the next level and a fanbase he already knows is ready to welcome him home. The weekend that convinced him Maine was where he wanted to be is now becoming an entire season—and Henry hopes it ends with the biggest celebration Portland has ever seen.
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