PORTLAND, ME – June 9, 2023 – The Maine Mariners released their 2023 Protected List on Friday, containing 22 players whose ECHL rights are retained by the Mariners. The Protected List is the first phase in a three-step process, followed by the season ending roster and finally, issuing qualifying offers. The list does not include players on AHL or NHL contracts. The Protected List is as follows:
FORWARDS (14): Austin Albrecht, Cam Askew, Conner Bleackley, Tim Doherty, Mitch Fossier, Sean Gulka, Tyler Hinam, Nick Jermain, Carter Johnson, Nick Master, Mathew Santos, Pat Shea, Reid Stefanson, Chase Zieky
DEFENSEMEN (8): Gabriel Chicoine, Connor Doherty, Marc-Olivier Duquette, Nate Kallen, Cameron Morton, Owen Norton, Andrew Peski, Alden Weller
Teams are allowed to protect as many players as they wish provided the players protected meet the guidelines as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association which state that teams shall retain the rights to each player that:
1. Signed an SPC in 2022-23 with the Member, and has not been traded or released, OR2. Signed an SPC in 2022-23, and was recalled to the NHL/AHL or IIHF team, and has not been traded or released, OR3. Had received a Qualifying Offer last summer for the current Season, DID NOT sign an SPC, and has not been traded or released, OR4. Has been suspended by the Member or League, and has not been traded or released, OR5. Signed an SPC on or after the first day of the 2022-23 Regular Season, then subsequently signed an NHL/AHL contract, and has not been traded or released, OR6. Has executed the ECHL Retirement Form, and has not been traded or released.
Protected lists may exceed 20 players.
The ECHL also announced that teams must complete all Future Consideration trades by 3 PM ET on June 20 and that teams must submit their Season-Ending Roster by 3 PM ET on June 22.
Season-ending rosters may include up to 20 players and cannot include any players who did not sign an ECHL contract in 2022-23.