Mariners head coach accepts an assistant job in Lehigh Valley
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – August 2, 2021 – The Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League announced on Monday that they had hired Riley Armstrong as an assistant coach. Armstrong departs as the head coach and assistant general manager of the Mariners after three years, having been named the first head coach in franchise history in February of 2018. The Mariners will announce their new head coach on Tuesday morning.
“I’d like to thank Riley for his hard work and dedication in helping get the Mariners off the ground and leading us to two winning seasons,” said Danny Briere, Mariners President, and Governor. “His track record of moving players to the next level speaks for itself, and his rise to the AHL is well earned. We’re excited to watch his career continue to advance.”
ARMSTRONG RECORD
Armstrong, 36, led the Mariners to a 69-58-5-2 record through their first two ECHL seasons, finishing with winning records each year. In August of 2019, he was promoted to assistant general manager between the first and second season, on top of his duties as head coach. After missing the postseason by just two points in 2018-19, the team was on pace for their first playoff appearance in 2019-20, but the pandemic cut the regular season short and canceled the postseason. The Mariners did not play in 2020-21, but Armstrong helped the team remain active in the community, hosting the Armstrong Skills Competition, which raised over $3,500 for local businesses and non-profits.
Through Armstrong’s time as head coach of the Mariners, many players saw advancements in their careers. Goaltender Connor LaCouvee earned an AHL contract midway through his rookie season of 2018-19. Forward Ty Ronning went from limited AHL ice time to the team lead in the Hartford Wolf Pack goals in 2020-21. Defenseman Sean Day spent the 2020-21 season in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch. Forwards Terrence Wallin, Alex Kile, and Dillan Fox all earned AHL call ups, despite being on ECHL contracts. The same was said for defensemen Zach Tolkinen.
“First, I would like to thank Paul Holmgren and Danny Briere for believing in me and trusting me to hire me as the first head coach of the Mariners,” said Armstrong. “I would also like to thanks the players for wanting to come play in the city of Portland and trusting the process. I’d also like to thank the fans for their support with a brand new franchise and now bigger things to come in the future. My family and I have met so many good people in the city.”
HISTORY
Before becoming head coach of the Mariners, Armstrong was the Assistant Coach for the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers from 2016-18. He delved into coaching immediately following a 12-year playing career, in which he played at all three levels of North American professional hockey and in Europe.
A forward, Armstrong spent most of his playing career in the San Jose Sharks organization. He appeared in two NHL games during the 2008-09 season. Armstrong is very familiar with the AHL, having played 404 career games with the Cleveland Barons, Worcester Sharks, Abbotsford Heat, Grand Rapids Griffins, Binghamton Senators, and Hamilton Bulldogs.
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, based in Allentown, PA. They were previously known as the “Philadelphia Phantoms” and the “Glens Falls Phantoms” until arriving in Allentown in 2014. They recently named Ian Laperriere the fourth head coach in franchise history.
Riley will become the 43rd active AHL coach (12 head coaches, 31 assistant coaches) to come from the ECHL. There are currently 45 NHL coaches (four head coaches, 41 assistant coaches) with ECHL backgrounds.
GOING TOO
Joining Armstrong in Lehigh Valley is Equipment Manager Jake Rogers, the new assistant equipment manager for the Phantoms. Rogers has been the Mariners equipment manager since 2019 and was the assistant to Mark Riepe (now with the Hartford Wolf Pack) during the Mariners’ inaugural season of 2018-19. Rogers, 29, has a long history of involvement with Portland’s professional sports teams. He was originally a batboy and clubhouse attendant for the Portland Sea Dogs between 2008-2010. He became involved with Portland pro hockey when he served as a locker room attendant for the Portland Pirates in the 2009-10 season. The Mariners have already filled Rogers’ position as well.
The Mariners will announce their new coaching staff on Tuesday morning.
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 on September 29th. More information on current ticketing options is available by calling 833-GO-MAINE, emailing mariners-sales@comcastspectacor.com, or visiting MarinersOfMaine.com.
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