Courtesy / Maine Mariners
Jerseys featuring this special design will be auctioned off at the Maine Mariners' game on March 11.
Updated: November 8, 2022
Mariners, Sea Dogs team up for jersey promotion
Courtesy / Maine Mariners
The pucks stopped here for Slugger, the mascot of the Portland Sea Dogs, at a recent Maine Mariners ice hockey game at Portland's Cross Insurance Arena.
Two Maine professional sports teams are teaming up on a specialty jersey to be auctioned off next March as a first-of-its kind crossover promotion.
The baseball-inspired jersey, a collaboration between the Maine Mariners hockey team and the Portland Sea Dogs baseball team, is mainly white with a red pattern on the forearms, a button-up pattern on the front, and "Mariners" written in the Sea Dogs script across the chest in red.
The shoulder logos consist of the Sea Dogs emblem on one side and the Mariners primary logo in a red tint on the other.
"Ever since the announcement of hockey returning to Portland the Sea Dogs have been in our corner," said Adam Goldberg, the Mariners' vice president of business operations. "They are a pillar of the community and we can't wait to see this collaboration hit the ice in March. We are grateful for their partnership and think this jersey will get the fans ready for spring training."
The jerseys were designed internally and produced by Athletic Knit, Michael Keeley, the team's media relations and broadcast manager, told Mainebiz. Athletic Knit is a Toronto-based manufacturer of team uniforms and apparel for a wide range of sports.
"They will not be sold for retail, rather auctioned off on the night of the game [March 11] through Handbid," Keeley said. Around 25 jerseys will be up for grabs at Portland's Cross Insurance Arena, where the Mariners will face the Norfolk (Va.) Admirals.
Asked about any planned collaborations between the two teams' mascots, Beacon the Puffin and Slugger the Sea Dog, Keeley said, "There will surely be some Beacon//Slugger collabs as we continue to cross-promote the event between now and March."
The promotion comes at the start of hockey season, which has already begun, and five months before the start of baseball season. The Sea Dogs will kick off their season on April 6, when the host the Binghamton (N.Y.) Rumble Ponies at Hadlock Field in Portland.
The Portland Sea Dogs have been around since 1994, originally as affiliates of the Florida Marlins. Since 2003, they've been affiliated with the Boston Red Sox.
The Mariners began in July 2021, when they became affiliates of the Boston Bruins after three years with the New York Rangers.
"The Sea Dogs are honored to have the Mariners sporting our colors and logo as they take the ice," said Chris Cameron, Sea Dogs vice president of communications and fan experience. "We are certain this jersey will resonate with both Mariners and Sea Dogs fans as we work together to develop fans and support our community.
"Portland continues to be the premier city in New England for minor league sports [and] we are excited to partner with the Mariners, bringing two of the city's professional teams together for a fun, family outing showcasing both organizations."
Asked whether the jersey sale proceeds would be divided between the two teams, Cameron said that's a decision the Mariners would have to make.
"We certainly wouldn't be asking to split the proceeds," he told Mainebiz. "It's their promotional night, so we're good if they get all of it."
The theme of the March 11 Mariners game is "What Could Have Been," which previously featured the Maine Wild Blueberries in 2019 and again in 2021. The Sea Dogs concept brings a new twist. The puck will drop at 6 pm. against the Norfolk (Va.) Admirals and is presented by Attached Therapy.
Maine's hockey team is featuring five other specialty jerseys this season. They include Scooby Doo, which made its debut on Oct. 23, as well as Military Appreciation on Nov. 11, Margaritaville on Dec. 10, Nickelodeon Rocket Power on Jan. 6 and Mossy Oak on Feb. 12.
The Mariners employ 16 people full time, including 12 in the front office and four in hockey operations, according to Keeley. There are also around 25 part-time employees, including coaching and night staff as well as off-ice officials.
The Sea Dogs has 17 people on the payroll full time and 250 part time.
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