Norton, MacTavish ink deals with Mariners

PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Mariners announced the signing of defenseman Owen Norton and forward Troy MacTavish for the 2023-24 season.

Norton, a 25-year-old defenseman from Ancaster, Ontario, finished up his college career at Mercyhurst University last March and joined the Mariners to begin his pro career. He made his pro debut on March 11 against Norfolk and skated in a total of four games with Maine. 

Norton spent parts of five seasons at Mercyhurst from 2018-23, notching 44 points (7g-37a) in 159 games. Prior to college, he played in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Ancaster Avalanche and later moved up to the British Columbia Hockey League’s Surrey Eagles for his final year of juniors.

MacTavish is a 25-year-old forward from Ottawa, Ontario who looks to make his ECHL debut this season. He has been with the Birmingham Bulls of the SPHL since late in the 2021-22 season, when he turned pro out of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Last season, he suited up in 53 games for the Bulls, finishing second on the team in scoring with 39 points (16g-23a).

Prior to college, MacTavish played for a variety of junior hockey organizations, but like Norton finished up in the BCHL with the Cowichan Valley Capitals in 2017-18.