The Portland Pirates arrived in 1993 when owner Tom Ebright moved the team from Baltimore, giving the former Skipjacks a new identity in a city eager for hockey after the Maine Mariners’ departure to Providence a year earlier. In their first AHL season, the Pirates made an immediate impact, boasting a record of 43-27-10 and capturing the prestigious Calder Cup, the league’s championship trophy. Their momentum continued through their first three seasons, as they led the league in ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, and sell-out games, solidifying Portland’s place as a passionate hockey hub.
The Pirates remained in Portland until 2016, with one season spent in Lewiston due to a contract dispute over a new lease agreement. The team ultimately rejected the terms of a deal, which offered the Pirates only a percentage of food sales, rather than the more lucrative share of both food and alcohol sales agreed upon previously. This setback marked the beginning of the end for the Pirates in Portland. On May 14, 2016, the Pirates announced they had signed a letter of intent to sell the franchise and relocate to Springfield, Massachusetts.
However, Portland’s hockey story didn’t end there. In June 2017, Comcast Spectacor, operator of the Cross Insurance Arena, acquired the rights to an ECHL franchise with plans to revive professional hockey in Portland. This led to the rebirth of the Maine Mariners, reestablishing Portland’s legacy in the hockey community.
