Kowalsky Agrees to Three-Year Contract Extension
Published on August 11, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Maine Mariners News Release
Maine Mariners Head Coach & General Manager Rick Kowalsky
(Maine Mariners)
PORTLAND, ME - The Maine Mariners, proud affiliates of the NHL's Boston Bruins and AHL's Providence Bruins, have announced that Head Coach & General Manager Rick Kowalsky has agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2028-29 season.
In Kowalsky's first season at the helm in 2025-26, he led the Mariners to a record of 42-21-6-3, and a second-place finish in the North Division. The team set a record points mark (93) and won their first ever Kelly Cup playoff series, defeating the Adirondack Thunder in the North Division Semifinals. They finished one win shy of the Eastern Conference Finals.
"After a historic season for our franchise, we are excited to retain Rick for three more years," said Dexter Paine, Mariners Owner & Governor. "Under Rick's leadership last season, we took a major step toward building a Kelly Cup Champion. Securing Rick and his staff for the long term provides stability that will help us achieve that ultimate goal of bringing the Cup to Portland."
Kowalsky, 54, has come full circle in his journey to Portland, having been a member of the Portland Pirates for parts of three seasons from 1996-99 as part of a 12-year professional playing career. He's coached at all levels of affiliated professional hockey over the last 20 years, including three seasons in the NHL as an assistant for the New Jersey Devils from 2018-21 and 10 years as an AHL Head Coach in Albany and Bridgeport.
"It was great re-connecting with the city of Portland and the state of Maine last season, and I look forward to continuing growing the organization to compete for and ultimately win a Kelly Cup," said Kowalsky. "I want to thank the Paine family for entrusting me with the long-term future of the franchise and providing us with all the necessary resources to achieve our goals."
A native of Simcoe, ON, Kowalsky was the 2009 ECHL Coach of the Year with the Trenton Devils and the 2016 AHL Coach of the Year for the Albany Devils. In 2017, he was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame.
In addition to Kowalsky, the full Mariners coaching staff will return for the 2026-27 season.
The Mariners 2026-27 season begins on Saturday, October 17th at Worcester with the Home Opener one week later on Saturday, October 24th, a 1 PM puck drop against the Railers. For more information on ticket packages and group discounts for the 2026-27 season, fans can call 833-GO-MAINE, go to MaineMariners.com, or visit the Mariners front office at 94 Free Street in Portland.
Images from this story
 Maine Mariners Head Coach & General Manager Rick Kowalsky |
ECHL Stories from August 11, 2026
- Gladiators Sign Defenseman Jack Blake - Atlanta Gladiators
- Connor Fedorek Returns to Tulsa - Tulsa Oilers
- Trenton Ironhawks Welcome Kyle Cannillo as Director of Broadcasting, Digital Media, and Communications - Trenton Ironhawks
- Rush Ink Defenseman Ben Wozney - Rapid City Rush
- Kyle Gaffney Re-Signs with the Walleye for the 2026-27 Season - Toledo Walleye
- Year-Round Entertainment, Way of Belonging at Toledo Mud Hens, Walleye - Toledo Walleye
- Mud Hens, Walleye Staff Strive to Make 'FANatical' Experiences, Moments for Fans - Toledo Walleye
- Goatheads Add Toughness with Forward Dakota Seaman - New Mexico Goatheads
- Robbie Holmes Re-Signs in Idaho for 2026-27 Season - Idaho Steelheads
- Thunder Ink Defenseman Tynan Ewart - Adirondack Thunder
- Mavericks Sign Forward Ryan Rosborough - Kansas City Mavericks
- Nailers Name Peter Laviolette III as Assistant Coach - Wheeling Nailers
- Ghost Pirates Bring Back Walsh and Amonte - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Greenville Swamp Rabbits Reappoint Ghost Brands as Agency of Record for the 2026-27 Season - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Forward Ryan Sandelin Brings AHL Experience to Stingrays Roster - South Carolina Stingrays
- K-Wings Welcome Back Forward Ryan Cox for 2026-27 - Kalamazoo Wings
- Kowalsky Agrees to Three-Year Contract Extension - Maine Mariners
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
