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KEELEY: MARINERS BRING BACK DEFENSEMAN NATE KALLEN

Rookie d-man played three games in Maine at end of 2019-20 BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – August 10, 2020 – The Mariners announced their seventh player signing for 2020-21 on Monday, the first defenseman, Nate Kallen. Graduating from Ferris State University this past spring, Kallen signed on with the Mariners in early March and played in the final three games of the season. “I’m super excited to be coming back,” Kallen said. “The city is unbelievable and the guys on the team are super accepting. The short time I was there at the end of the year last season was a great experience and I learned a lot. The little experience I had will definitely help me have more confidence next year.” A 22 year old defenseman from San Diego, CA, Kallen was the Ferris State captain in 2019-20, wearing a letter for the second consecutive season. Kallen was a staple in the Bulldogs lineup for all four of his collegiate seasons, playing at least 35 games in all four, and putting up productive offensive numbers. As a junior in 2018-19, he posted 24 points (7 goals, 17 assists) in 36 games, finishing third on the team. This past season, his 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists) was good for second on the club. Kallen was named to the Ferris State “All-Decade team” last December, the only active member of the program to earn the distinction. With 20 goals, he led all Bulldog defensemen in goals between 2010 and 2020. Read the full article

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KEELEY: FALMOUTH NATIVE BEN FREEMAN SIGNS WITH MARINERS

Out of the University of Connecticut, 6’5 forward is a local product BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – August 3, 2020 – After Cumberland-born brothers Ted and Brian Hart made Mariners history last season, becoming the first Maine natives to suit up for the franchise, another local product is now looking to join the list. On Monday, the Mariners announced the signing of 6’5 forward Ben Freeman, a native of Falmouth. “I couldn’t have asked for a better starting point,” Freeman said. “I grew up watching the Pirates play and so it’s going to be really special to skate in that building.” Freeman, 24, just finished up a four-year Division I college career at the University of Connecticut. In 2019-20, he captained the Huskies and led the team with 28 points (7 goals, 21 assists) in 33 games. He was also the recipient of Hockey East’s Len Ceglarski Award for Sportsmanship. Freeman wore a letter as an Alternate Captain in his junior season of 2018-19 as well. Born in Falmouth, Freeman played initially at Falmouth High School but traveled to Massachusetts to join Northfield Mount Hermon School, a preparatory school just south of the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border. Freeman had a big year in 2013-14, putting up 46 points in 31 games. It was in that season that he committed to the University of Connecticut. After a brief stop with the Springfield Rifles 18U AAA program, he took his game to the Connecticut Jr. Rangers of the USPHL Premier. Read the full article

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KEELEY: NICK MASTER RE-SIGNS WITH MAINE MARINERS

Nick Master Re-Signs With Mariners BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 27, 2020 – The Mariners added another forward to the mix for 2020-21, announcing the re-signing of Nick Master on Monday. Master originally became a Mariner at the end of the 2018-19 season, but missed the majority of 2019-20 with a wrist injury. “I’m really excited to get back on the ice with the guys considering last year was cut short for me,” said Master. “Seeing both sides of the game from being on the ice and watching last year really made me appreciate not only the game, but the city of Portland and their fan base.” Out of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Master joined the Mariners in late March of 2019, after finishing his collegiate career. He found immediate success, registering seven points (three goals, four assists) in eight games with the Mariners down the stretch. The native of Broomall, PA then re-signed in the summer of 2019. On October 26th, 2019, while playing in his sixth game of 2019-20, Master suffered a wrist injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He had scored one goal in six games. “Being injured last season gave me the opportunity to see what it takes at the pro level and what things I need to be prepared for this upcoming season, said Master. “I can’t stress enough how excited I am to play again and put on that Maine sweater.” Master, Read the full article

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KEELEY: MARINERS HOLD VIRTUAL "WATCH PARTY" FOR THE RETURN OF HOCKEY

Fans can join Mariners personnel on Zoom during game 1 New York Rangers playoff run BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 31, 2020 – As the NHL makes its triumphant return on Saturday, the Mariners are hosting a “virtual watch party” for the first period of game one the New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes series via Zoom. From 12-12:40 PM ET, fans can join Mariners Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Riley Armstrong while watching the game on NBCSN. The discussion will be moderated by Mariners Play-By-Play Broadcaster Michael Keeley and will also feature special appearances from Vice President of Operations Danny Briere and third-year Mariners forward Dillan Fox. The Rangers, who are the NHL affiliate of the Mariners, are one of 24 teams vying for the 2020 Stanley Cup, separated into two “bubbles.” The Eastern Conference, which includes the Rangers, are playing in Toronto, ON, while the Western Conference hub is located in Edmonton, AB. The top four teams in each conference (based on the 2019-20 standings prior to the season’s COVID-19 related cancelation) are playing round-robin style for seeding, while the remaining eight battle in four best-of-five qualifying series. The Rangers (37-28-5) have drawn the Carolina Hurricanes (38-25-5) for their qualifying series. Game one’s 12 PM start on Saturday marks the very first game of the entire tournament. Teams have been playing exhibition games in the bubbles since Tuesday. Read the full article

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KEELEY: NICK MASTER RE-SIGNS WITH MAINE MARINERS

Speedy forward looks to bounce back after injury-plagued 2019-20 season BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 27, 2020 – The Mariners added another forward to the mix for 2020-21, announcing the re-signing of Nick Master on Monday. Master originally became a Mariner at the end of the 2018-19 season but missed the majority of 2019-20 with a wrist injury. “I’m really excited to get back on the ice with the guys considering last year was cut short for me,” said Master. “Seeing both sides of the game from being on the ice and watching last year really made me appreciate not only the game but the city of Portland and their fan base.” Out of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Master joined the Mariners in late March of 2019, after finishing his collegiate career. He found immediate success, registering seven points (three goals, four assists) in eight games with the Mariners down the stretch. The native of Broomall, PA then re-signed in the summer of 2019. On October 26th, 2019, while playing in his sixth game of 2019-20, Master suffered a wrist injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He had scored one goal in six games. “Being injured last season gave me the opportunity to see what it takes at the pro level and what things I need to be prepared for this upcoming season, said Master. “I can’t stress enough how excited I am to play again and put on that Maine sweater.” Master, Read the full article

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KEELEY: MARINERS INK ROOKIE FORWARD ANDREW ROMANO

SUNY Geneseo grad led all of DIII hockey in scoring for 2nd straight season BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 20, 2020 – The Mariners announced the signing of rookie forward Andrew Romano on Monday. Romano will join the Mariners from SUNY-Geneseo, where he led all of NCAA Division III hockey in scoring as both a junior and a senior and was a two-time All-American. “I am thrilled to start my pro career with the Mariners,” said Romano. “They have been sincere with me from our first conversation and that is something I really appreciate. I chose the Mariners because they have shown an undeniable respect for their players. I have heard great things about the team’s culture and I am excited to be a part of that.” From Drexel Hill, PA, Romano spent six seasons playing in the Philadelphia area, primarily with the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers program and La Salle College High. He stayed in Pennsylvania for his junior hockey, playing two seasons with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League. In his final season in Johnstown, he posted 56 points in 60 games, including a team-leading 39 assists. From there it was off to the college ranks, and SUNY-Geneseo. Romano (5’8, 170 lbs) was immediately productive for the Ice Knights, averaging nearly a point-per-game as a freshman in 2016-17. He increased his offensive production each season, breaking out in a big way in his junior season of 2018-19. Read the full article

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KEELEY: MICHAEL MCNICHOLAS RE-SIGNS IN MAINE

Through the first two seasons, McNicholas leads the franchise in multiple categories BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – July 6, 2020 – The Maine Mariners announced their third re-signing for the 2020-21 season on Monday, bringing back forward Michael McNicholas. Through the first two seasons of the Mariners' existence, McNicholas is the franchise leader in points, assists, and games played. “Playing in Portland has been really fun for me,” said McNicholas. “It’s been a good experience both years that I’ve played there we’ve had a really good group of guys. We all get along off the ice and we all play well together on the ice so I’m excited for the third year.” The 26-year-old forward from Redondo Beach, CA originally joined the Mariners in November of 2018. McNicholas began the season in Norway, playing 15 games for Manglerud. His signing in Maine marked his second ECHL team, following a brief stint with the Indy Fuel at the end of the 2017-18 season. Joining the Mariners was a return to the New England hockey scene for McNicholas, who had spent the prior four seasons playing collegiately for the University of New Hampshire. His best college season came as a junior when he racked up 43 points in 37 games, good for second on the team in 2016-17. McNicholas scored his first professional goal in a 3-1 home win against the Worcester Railers on November 10th, 2018. Read the full article

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KEELEY: MARINERS RE-SIGN CUMBERLAND NATIVE TED HART

Hart scored 10 goals in solid rookie campaign BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners PORTLAND, ME – June 29, 2020 – Last August, Ted Hart signed his first professional contract with his “hometown” team, hoping to become the first Maine-born player to suit up in a regular season game for the Mariners. Although he didn’t make his ECHL debut until November, the Cumberland native played in 48 of the Mariners’ 62 games in 2019-20, enjoying a productive rookie season. On Monday, the Mariners announced the re-signing of Hart, making him the second player on the 2020-21 roster. “I’m thrilled to sign on for another year with the Mariners,” said Hart. “I love playing in Portland in front of my family and friends, and I’m always excited to show up to the rink each day to work with the staff and my teammates. I can’t wait for the season to start and I’m looking forward to reaching our first playoff series!” Hart, 24, initially signed in late August of 2019 but did not make the opening night roster. He signed with the Peoria Rivermen of the Southern Professional Hockey League and began the season there. After posting six points in five SPHL games, the Mariners came calling again in early November. On November 9th, 2019, in front of the largest crowd of the season at the Cross Insurance Arena, Hart made his ECHL debut, becoming the first Maine-born Mariner in franchise history. The Mariners defeated Adirondack, 5-1. Read the full article