Mariners make a trade, swapping Cleland for Wallin
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – September 11, 2018 – The Maine Mariners announced their first trade in franchise history on Tuesday, acquiring forward Terrence Wallin from the Adirondack Thunder in exchange for defenseman Matias Cleland. Wallin has over 130 games of ECHL experience between Adirondack and Rapid City. He also played four games in the AHL last season with the Binghamton Devils.
Wallin (6’0, 181 lbs) is a native of Yardley, PA, but makes his home in nearby Kennebunk, ME, where his family also resides. He expressed excitement about playing closer to them.
“The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind,” Wallin said. “My family’s excited for me, my girlfriend’s pumped. I have a lot of friends from (UMass) Lowell. So we’ll have a lot of people at a lot of games and it’s going to be awesome to see familiar faces in the crowd.”
After four seasons with NCAA DI UMass-Lowell, Wallin began his professional career with the Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL in 2015-16. That season, he was loaned to the Adirondack Thunder, where he stuck through their playoff run, playing 25 regular season and 9 postseason games. He spent most of the 2016-17 season with the Rapid City Rush, suiting up in 47 games, scoring 12 goals and adding 19 assists.
The 2017-18 season was a breakout year for the 26-year-old forward, as he put up a career-high 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists) in 59 games with the Thunder, earning a shot in the AHL. He returned to Adirondack for the playoffs and had a prosperous postseason, putting up 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) in 17 games.
“Terrence will bring experience to our team and also depth up the middle,” said Mariners head coach Riley Armstrong. “With his time spent in the AHL last year, we are looking for him to build off that heading into this season.”
Matias Cleland, a 24-year old defenseman heads to Adirondack in the deal. Cleland had signed with the Mariners in late June. He spent last season in Orlando and Reading.
The Mariners, proud affiliate of the New York Rangers, will begin the regular season at Cross Insurance Arena on October 13th against the Adirondack Thunder. The Mariners are members of the ECHL: the premier AA hockey league in the United States. Single game tickets are on sale now at MarinersOfMaine.com or by calling the Trusted Choice Box office at 207-775-3458. Fans interested in season tickets, groups, five-game plans, or flex packs can call 833-GO-MAINE.
