Maine Mariners

Every winter in Maine, some traditions return like clockwork: flannel layers, frosted mornings and the unmistakable sound of skates slicing across fresh ice. For generations, Mainers have grown up playing pickup games on frozen ponds, backyard rinks and community ice — where hockey isn’t just a sport, but a winter rite of passage. Today, that same spirit lives on in the Maine Mariners, the state’s professional hockey team and a cornerstone of community in Portland.

Now in their seventh ECHL season, the Mariners carry forward a legacy of professional hockey in Maine. As proud affiliates of the Boston Bruins and Providence Bruins, they represent the next step in the hockey ladder — a proving ground for rising talent aiming for the NHL. But in Maine, the Mariners are more than player development. They’re family night, neighbor meet-ups and 72 opportunities a season (October through April) to gather inside the Cross Insurance Arena to rally around the game that many grew up loving on open ice.

The traditions surrounding the sport are as iconic as the game itself. Each home matchup brings the beloved Chuck-a-Puck, where fans send pucks flying toward center ice for a chance to win half the pot, with a portion benefiting the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. It’s classic crowd chaos with a generous twist, the kind Maine does best.

Off the ice, the Mariners’ impact spreads even wider. The Goals for Food program turns goals into goodwill — donating $75 for every home goal scored, funding up to 150 meals for Maine families facing food insecurity.

There’s room for furry fans, too. The fan-favorite Pet of the Game makes every matchup a reminder that community pride comes in all forms. And with Hannaford returning as the 2025–26 presenting sponsor, 50 tickets to every home game are donated to local youth and community groups, widening the circle of who gets to feel the rush of the crowd and the thrill of the horn.

From frozen ponds to packed arenas, hockey in Maine has always belonged to the people who play it, watch it and pass it forward. And like everything that lasts here, it’s built on community — one game, one cheer, one puck at a time.