Peoria Rivermen leading scorer signs with Maine
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – November 27, 2018 – Three-year SPHL pro, Joe Kalisz, has signed a contract with the Mariners, the team announced on Tuesday. The 27-year-old forward comes over from the Peoria Rivermen, where he led the team in scoring (6 goals and 9 assists in 11 games).
Kalisz is a native of Davison, MI and played college hockey at DIII Wisconsin-Stevens Point. With the Pointers, he averaged over a point per game in three seasons. In his senior year of 2015-16, his 42 points in 31 games led the team.
Jumping into the SPHL the following season, Kalisz had a successful 2016-17 with the Fayetteville FireAntz scoring 18 goals and adding 17 assists in 48 games. He started last season with Fayetteville (then, the Marksmen) and was traded to Peoria midseason. He contributed to the Rivermen run to the SPHL finals, putting up 5 points in 6 playoff games. Peoria lost to Huntsville in the President’s Cup Final.
Prior to college, Kalisz had a successful junior career in the NAHL, highlighted by an MVP season in 2011-12. With the St. Louis Bandits, he put up 91 points in 60 games, leading the league in points and goals (40). He was also named forward of the year, and on the all-division, league, and Robertson Cup Tournament teams.
The Mariners are home this Wednesday and Friday night. They host the Reading Royals at 7:00 PM on Wednesday before welcoming in Worcester at 7:15 PM on Friday. Friday is another 1-2-3 Friday: $1 hot dogs, $2 popcorn, and $3 Bud Lights through the start of the 2nd period. It’s also Rivalry Night and Highway Safety night presented by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com or by calling 207-775-3458.
