Mariners Flip Martin for Malatesta
December 30, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
Maine Mariners News Release
PORTLAND, ME - The Mariners and Indy Fuel completed a trade on Thursday, swapping defensemen. Blue liner Zach Malatesta is headed to Maine in exchange for Brycen Martin. The Fuel acquired Malatesta from the Worcester Railers, completing a future considerations deal.
Malatesta, a Boston area native, is in his fifth pro season. From 2017-2020, he played for the Atlanta Gladiators, where he became one of the premier offensive defensemen in the ECHL. During the 2019-20 season, Malatesta scored 14 goals, the second highest total for all ECHL defensemen. Prior to the 2020-21 season, he signed with the South Carolina Stingrays, where he would become their top-scoring defenseman as well, posting 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists) in 51 games.
Last season, Malatesta also got his first taste of the American Hockey League, playing in four games for the Hershey Bears. He registered one assist. The 26-year-old signed with Worcester this past summer. He has appeared in 21 games for the Railers, with two goals and four assists. Both of his goals have come against the Mariners.
Brycen Martin will join his sixth ECHL team. The 25-year-old defenseman was in his second stint with the Mariners after re-signing in the offseason. In 17 games, Martin has no goals and nine assists.
In addition to Malatesta, the Mariners also receive a future consideration from the Fuel.
The Mariners, proud ECHL affiliates of the Boston Bruins, are home this Friday and Saturday night for New Year's Eve (5:00 PM vs. Trois-Rivieres) and New Year's Day (6:00 PM vs. Adirondack), offering one-time individual ticket purchases in premium seating areas (Poseidon's Platform on New Year's Eve and the Ice Level Lounge on New Year's Day), each which include access to a cash bar and other complimentary food and drink specials. Both games are presented by Kit NA Brewing. Individual tickets for all games can be purchased online at MarinersOfMaine.com/tickets or by visiting the Trusted Choice Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena.
ECHL Stories from December 30, 2021
- Hugo Alnefelt Makes NHL Debut with Lightning - Orlando Solar Bears
- Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Stingrays: December 31, 2021 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Goaltender Beck Warm Recalled to Chicago - Norfolk Admirals
- Grizzlies Acquire Goaltender Cole Kehler in Trade - Utah Grizzlies
- ECHL Transactions - December 30 - ECHL
- Former Captain Craig Wyszomirski Returns to the Fuel - Indy Fuel
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspensions - ECHL
- Oilers Sign Right-Handed Defenseman Ryan DaSilva - Tulsa Oilers
- Mariners Flip Martin for Malatesta - Maine Mariners
- Streaking Icemen Finding Success on Ice and in Player Development - Jacksonville Icemen
- IceHogs Assign McKay and LeGuerrier to Indy - Indy Fuel
- Robinson, Sigouin Head Back to School - Orlando Solar Bears
- Balsamo and Gomercic Sign with Atlanta - Atlanta Gladiators
- Officials Named for 2022 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic - ECHL
- Ryan Valentini Called up to AHL Laval - Rapid City Rush
- Postponed December Games Rescheduled for March; New Promotional Nights Announced - Reading Royals
- Nailers Acquire Defenseman David Drake from Reading - Wheeling Nailers
- Chris Cadeau Announced as New 'Voice of the K-Wings' - Kalamazoo Wings
- Devries Wins Pro Debut, Bradley Scores Hat Trick in Grizz OT Thriller - Utah Grizzlies
- Rush Dropped in Overtime, 4-3 - Rapid City Rush
- Americans Beat Thunder 5-3 - Allen Americans
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.
