PORTLAND, Maine –The Maine Mariners announced the re-signing of forward Michael McNicholas for the 2020-21 season. Through the first two seasons of the Mariners existence, McNicholas is the team's career leader in points, assists and games played
The 26-year-old-from Rendondo Beach California, originally joined the Mariners in November of 2018. McNicholas began the season in Norway, playing 15 games for Manglerud. His signing in Maine marked his second ECHL team, following a brief stint with the Indy Fuel at the end of the 2017-18 season.
Joining the Mariners was a return to the New England hockey scene for McNicholas, who had spent the prior four seasons playing collegiately for the University of New Hampshire. His best college season came as a junior when he racked up 43 points in 37 games, good for second on the team in 2016-17.
McNicholas totaled 53 points in 63 games for the Mariners as a rookie in 2018-19, which was tops for any player in a Mariners uniform during the inaugural season. His 40 assists led the team and was fourth among all ECHL rookies. He was named Mariners’ Rookie of the Year for 2018-19 by the coaching staff.
Last season, McNicholas finished second on the team in assists (27) and fourth in points (38). He appeared in a team-leading 60 games in 2019-20, and through two seasons has played in 125 contests. His 91 points as a Mariner is also the most in Mariners history, 18 more than Terrence Wallin, in second place.