PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Maine's newest minor league ice hockey franchise has entered an affiliation agreement with the NHL's New York Rangers.
The Maine Mariners announced in a press release Monday afternoon that they would become the Rangers' new ECHL team, replacing the Greenville (South Carolina) Swamp Rabbits.
The Rangers' AHL affiliate is the Hartford Wolf Pack.
"We look forward to starting a new chapter of professional hockey in our organization and are excited to join with the Mariners as they embark on their first season in the ECHL in 2018-19," said Rangers Asst. General Manager Chris Drury, who is also the Wolf Pack's GM.
Portland's newest franchise relocated from Alaska in June 2017; the team name was announced in September 2017, the logo was revealed two months later and the Mariners hired their head coach in February.
The Mariners' inaugural season begins this October.
