TOBEY: MARINERS ADD FOUR PLAYERS FOR INAUGURAL SEASON
Players with New England ties make the cut
BY: Natalie Tobey, Maine Mariners
Portland, ME – June 27, 2018 – The Maine Mariners have added four players to the ranks of the growing roster all with ties to the New England area. John Furgele, Matias Cleland, Derek Pratt and Trevor Fleurent become the newest Mariners to the roster.
Furgele, a US born player from Glen Mills, Pennsylvania defenseman, joins the Mariners after a successful NCAA career which saw him play two seasons for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats where he saw action in 73 games tallying 3 goals and 20 assists for 23 points. He joined Quinnipiac University for the 2017-18 season seeing action in 38 games with 1 goal and 13 assists for 14 points.
“I have followed John for a couple years now from Quinnipiac and UNH,” said Mariners Head Coach Riley Armstrong. “He brings dedication and commitment away from the rink. With his off-ice training and community work. On the ice, John will bring an offensive minded approach to the game which will help with our Neutral Zone transition and our ability to play a face paced game.”
Cleland, a 24 year old defenseman from Longmont, Colorado, split time last season between the Orlando Solar Bears and Reading Royals both of the ECHL. In the 2017-18 season he saw action in 67 games with 2 goals and 15 assists for 17 points. Cleland spent his NCAA career with the University of New Hampshire where he was teammates for two season with Furgele.
“I was able to coach Matias for a couple games at the end of his college career,” said Coach Armstrong. “He will bring leadership to the team and also ECHL experience. He put up good offensive numbers at UNH, but we are looking to shape his game overall and help him get to the AHL.”
Pratt, a defenseman from Mount Hermon, MA, will start his first full season of professional hockey with the Mariners after an NCAA career with the University of Connecticut. A natural leader, Pratt captained the Huskies his final two seasons which saw him end his college career with 141 games played for 2 goals and 19 assists for 21 points.
“Derek played big minutes for the Huskies last season,” said Armstrong. “Being a first year player we see him bringing his leadership qualities to the locker room from day one.”
Fluerent, from Biddeford, Maine, won’t have far to travel for a home cooked meal during the season. Fluerent played his college career with the University of New England which saw him wear the “C” in his final season finishing his career with 101 games played for 50 goals and 66 assists for 116 points. Fluerent made his way to Norway last season for his first in professional hockey where he played in 45 games with 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points.
“Trevor put up some big number at the University of New England and we are looking for him to show us the same thing coming into training camp in October,” said Armstrong of the 26-year-old forward.
The Mariners, proud affiliate of the New York Rangers, will continue to add to the roster throughout the summer before dropping the puck October 13, 2018 in the inaugural season as members of the ECHL. The ECHL is the premier AA hockey league in the United States. Season tickets for the Mariners inaugural season are on sale now by visiting www.marinersofmaine.com or call toll free 833-GO-MAINE.
