🔒Off-season glory: Maine Mariners in the running for 4 league awards
Antonio Venuto of the Maine Mariners, donning a jersey that pays homage to the Portland Sea Dogs, in action against Québec’s Trois-Rivières Lions on Minor League Sports Night at the Cross Insurance Arena in January. FILE PHOTO / JIM NEUGER
The Portland-based hockey team is up for awards including Theme Night of the Year for January’s “Minor League Sports Night” at the Cross Insurance Arena.
Less than a month after the Maine Mariners ended their playoff run, the team is back in the spotlight as a finalist for four awards from hockey’s ECHL minor league.
The team, which plays at Portland's Cross Insurance Arena, is up for awards in the following categories: Most Creative Revenue Generation, Theme Night of the Year, Broadcaster of the Year and Corporate Partnership Professional of the Year.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 ECHL summer meetings on June 24 in Nashville.
For the “Most Creative Revenue Generation” nomination, the Mariners partnered with Visit Maine for a season-long vacation giveaway contest.
In an innovative twist, the contest was advertised to fans in the Mariners’ visiting markets, giving non-Mainers a chance to experience the wonders of “Vacationland.” The contest attracted 4,000 entries over the course of the season, out of which three winners were chosen.
“Minor League Sports Night,” held Jan. 24 at the Cross Insurance Arena in collaboration with Portland’s three other professional sports teams, is a finalist for Theme Night of the Year.
During the game, the Mariners donned jerseys honoring the Portland Sea Dogs baseball team in the first period; the Maine Celtics hoopsters in the second period; and the Portland Hearts of Pine soccer squad in the third period.
The celebration included a mascot crossover, with Slugger the Sea Dog joining Mariners mascot Beacon the Puffin on the ice and in the stands.
Slugger keeps his cool during January's Minor League Sports Night at the Cross Insurance Arena. FILE PHOTO / JIM NEUGER
In the individual awards categories, Michael Keeley, director of media relations and broadcasting, and Jordan Place, director of partnerships, are finalists for the Broadcaster of the Year and Corporate Partnership Professional of the Year awards for the second year in a row.
The Mariners have not yet named a successor to CEO Adam Goldberg, who stepped down from the role at the end of May to pursue other opportunities.
October puck drop
The Mariners will start their next season on Saturday, Oct. 17, in Worcester, Mass., against the Railers, whom they will host at their home opener in Portland on Saturday, Oct. 24.
