Guite takes over for Riley Armstrong, Terrence Wallin becomes assistant
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – August 3, 2021 – The Maine Mariners are proud to announce former University of Maine National Champion Ben Guite as the second head coach in team history. Guite takes over for Riley Armstrong, who accepted a position as an assistant coach with the American Hockey League’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Additionally, Terrence Wallin has been named the new assistant coach of the Mariners.
“We are thrilled to bring on Ben as the second head coach in Mariners history,” said Danny Briere, Mariners President, and Governor. “He has a wealth of experience in professional hockey from his playing career, and an established connection with the state of Maine as both a player and a coach. His ability to recruit talent will translate well to the ECHL and we look forward to Ben helping us continue to build on the winning culture we’ve established here.”
Guite, 43, was a part of the University of Maine men’s hockey coaching staff from 2013-2021, originally as an assistant. For the past four seasons, he served as associate head coach. Following the tragic death of Black Bears Head Coach Red Gendron in April, Guite was named interim head coach. The Mariners will be his first professional coaching opportunity and his first as a head coach.
“It’s a huge honor to be able to be a head coach in the ECHL,” said Guite. “I am very thankful for Danny showing the confidence in selecting me as head coach and to Riley for making the transition seamless with the players and helping in securing the best possible team for our fans for the upcoming season.”
REACTION
“It’s a new and exciting challenge, being a head coach in one of the top developmental leagues in the world,” added Guite. “This is a great opportunity to work hand in hand with the Bruins and their prospects. I am really looking forward to working with and help move our players up while providing our fans championship-caliber hockey.”
A former center, Guite also played for UMaine from 1996-2000, winning the National Championship with the Black Bears in 1999. The following season, he was named assistant captain and led the team with 22 goals. Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1997, Guite went on to enjoy a 13-year professional career. He made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins during the 2005-06 season, and also played for the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators. In total, he appeared in 174 career NHL games, scoring 19 goals, 26 assists, and registering 97 penalty minutes.
Guite also brings familiarity with the Mariners’ new AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. He played two full seasons with the P-Bruins from 2004-2006, helping them on a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2005. Other AHL organizations Guite played for include the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, Albany River Rats, Milwaukee Admirals, Springfield Falcons, and Worcester Sharks. He has just under 600 career AHL games under his belt. Guite’s first year as a pro was spent in the ECHL, with the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks in 2000-01.
BACKGROUND
Guite is a native of LaSalle, Quebec. He and his wife, Kristen – Portland native, have two sons: Patrick and Maxime.
The first addition to Guite’s staff will be Terrence Wallin, who retires after a five-year professional playing career, the last two serving as an alternate captain of the Mariners. Wallin was the team’s co-leader in goals in 2019-20, scoring 23, a career-high.
Late in the offseason of 2018, the Mariners acquired Wallin from the Adirondack Thunder in exchange for defenseman Matias Cleland. It was the first trade in Mariners franchise history. The move brought Wallin closer to family. Although he’s a native of Yardley, PA, Wallin has Maine roots in Kennebunk. In two seasons, he accumulated 73 points, including 34 goals – ranking him 2nd in both categories on the franchise career leaderboards. He also holds the top franchise career marks in shots on goal (302) and game-winning goals. (9)
“Getting this job means a ton to me,” said Wallin. “I have loved this game my whole life and given everything to it, so being rewarded with this opportunity is huge. This will be a great experience working under two great hockey minds like Danny and Ben. It will be a welcomed adjustment from playing because in the long run, coaching is something that I am very passionate about.”
Although he’ll be making his coaching debut this season, the 29-year-old Wallin has plenty of experience teaching the game. He founded “Evolution Hockey” in 2019, teaching skill development to players of all ages through his Maine-based hockey camps. Wallin has expanded his program into a Gorham-based youth hockey travel program, the Maine Evolution. Wallin replaces Anthony Bohn on the coaching staff, who departed the Mariners after the 2019-20 season, and is now the head coach of the El Paso Rhinos of the North American Hockey League.
“Although he’s decided to retire from playing, we’re glad Terrence is staying in the Mariners family,” said Briere. “After seeing his leadership as our alternate captain the past two seasons, we know he will make a seamless transition into coaching. What he’s done with his youth hockey program in just a few years is remarkable and he will help us bridge the gap with the arrival of a new head coach.”
The Mariners are now proud affiliates of the Boston Bruins and begin their 2021-22 season, presented by Hannaford To Go on October 22nd, with the home opener against the Worcester Railers, sponsored by Skowhegan Savings. The full schedule can be found here. Full season, half season, 12-game mini plans, and 10-ticket flex plans, as well as group tickets are available now. Single game tickets will go on sale September 29th. More information on current ticketing options is available by calling 833-GO-MAINE, emailing mariners-sales@comcastspectacor.com, or by visiting MarinersOfMaine.com.
Photos of Ben Guite credit to University of Maine Athletics
Related
Related posts
Top picks
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
WOLF PACK TAKE ON CHARLOTTE CHECKERS IN FIRST ROUND
All Three Games to Take Place in North Carolina By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT—The Hartford Wolf Pack and Charlotte Checkers will face off in an Atlantic Division first-round series to kick off the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Due to the distance traveled,…
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…
Stay connected with ours socials