Portland, Maine to join ECHL in 2018-19 season

LAS VEGAS – The ECHL on Thursday announced that the League’s Board of Governors has approved a Transfer of Controlling Interest in the Alaska Aces’ Membership to Comcast Spectacor, and also approved the Transfer of Home Territory of the Membership to Portland, Maine.

Portland will begin play in the ECHL during the 2018-19 season, which begins in October 2018.

“We are excited to bring ECHL hockey to Portland,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “The city has a long and rich hockey tradition. In addition, Comcast Spectacor has a history in the market and is an ideal partner to reintroduce professional hockey to Southern Maine.”

“This is a great day for sports fans here in Portland,” said Spectra’s Mike Scanlon, Divisional Senior Vice President. “We would like to thank Cumberland County, the Cross Insurance Arena Board of Trustees, the City of Portland, for their support in helping us to bring a hockey team back to the Cross Insurance Arena. We’re excited about adding 36 great nights of affordable, family-friendly entertainment to an already vibrant event calendar." 

Comcast Spectacor is part of Portland’s rich hockey history. In 1977, the company purchased an AHL expansion franchise to play at the then-brand-new Cumberland County Civic Center. The Maine Mariners were a Flyers affiliate until 1983 and played in Portland through 1992, when they were replaced by the Portland Pirates. The Mariners won the Calder Cup in each of their first two seasons, and added a third in 1983-84.  

Comcast Spectacor is part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology company that operates Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Spectacor’s three core businesses are the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers, the Wells Fargo Center Complex, and Spectra, a leader in hosting and entertainment services specializing inVenue Management, Food Services & Hospitality and Corporate Partnerships. Spectra provides its services at over 300 public assembly facilities in the United States, Canada, and in Singapore. Visit ComcastSpectacor.com for more information.

About the ECHL

Began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 27 teams in 21 states and one Canadian province for its 29th season in 2016-17. There have been who have played in the NHL after playing in the ECHL, including 24 who made their debut in the 2016-17 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 26 of the 30 NHL teams in 2016-17, marking the 20th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com as well as on Twitter and Facebook.