The Maine Mariners hockey team is back in action after announcing an end to a players’ strike Tuesday afternoon.
Word of a tentative agreement had circulated earlier, but the team has confirmed that the ECHL and players’ association have ratified a new collective bargaining contract.
The strike was relatively short, with the Mariners postponing only three games, including two at home last weekend.
Terms of the new agreement have not been publicly released, but the league says the contract runs through the 2029-30 season.
In a news release, ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin said the new deal “significantly increases player compensation, improves health and safety, and delivers on new initiatives that are responsive to our players’ needs.”
ESPN reports that before the strike, the league said it would raise player salaries 20% in the first year, increase per diems, guarantee more off days and limit travel between back-to-back games to 325 miles.
The ECHL is a North American minor league ranked two tiers below the NHL. The Maine Mariners have an affiliation agreement with the Boston Bruins of the NHL and the AHL Providence Bruins through the 2027-28 season.
The Mariners resume action on the ice Wednesday afternoon with a road game against Adirondack. They’ll play three home games this weekend at Cross Insurance Arena to kick-off the new year.
There’s been no announcement on when or if the Mariners’ three postponed games will be made up.
