TOBEY: THREE ADDED TO MARINERS ROSTER FOR THE 2018-19 SEASON
Vail, Bourbonnais and Marnell add depth to roster
BY: Natalie Tobey, Maine Mariners
Portland, ME – July 6, 2018 – Additions to the Maine Mariners growing roster bring the total of nine players signed to contracts for the inaugural season. Brady Vail (6-0/194), Riley Bourbonnais (5-11/194) and Mike Marnell (5-10/181) bring a mix of skill and scoring prowess to Maine.
Vail, from Hendersonville, North Carolina, comes to the Mariners after ending the 2017-18 season with the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL. An experienced forward, Vail has 41 AHL games under his belt and 208 ECHL games with 59 goals and 88 assists for 147 points.
“Vail is a top end forward in the ECHL and we are looking for him to carry the load offensively,” said Coach Armstrong. “He plays a skilled game but also brings an in your face style as well, which will fit in perfect with our team.”
Bourbonnais, a forward from Rochester, NY is the second player to follow Coach Armstrong from Wheeling to the Mariners. Following a successful NCAA career with RPI where he wore the “C” his senior year, Bourbonnais joined the Wheeling Nailers for the remainder of the 2016-17 season and the entirety of the 2017-18 season which saw him play in 67 games for 23 goals and 19 assists for 42 points.
“I had Riley in Wheeling last season where he is coming off of an AHL two way contract,” said Armstrong. “He put together four solid years at RPI before having a very impressive rookie season in Wheeling. Riley will be key piece to the puzzle that we are building right now.”
Marnell, a forward from South Huntington, New York, will make his professional debut for the Mariners following four seasons at St. Lawrence University. Seeing NCAA action in 115 games for 45 goals and 34 assists for 79 points is something Armstrong hopes will translate to the Mariners.
“Mike put together four good years at college and we are hoping his scoring touch will translate into the professional game,” said Armstrong. “The way the game is changing we feel Mike will fit into our plans and continue and grow as a player.”
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 marinersofmaine.com or call toll free 833-GO-MAINE.
