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Mariners Co-ed

Casco Bay Travel Program Summary and Expectations

 

Casco Bay Hockey offers travel teams under the name "Casco Bay Mariners." The Co-Ed division features two levels: Mariners and Mariners Elite. Mariners Elite teams, the most competitive level, compete in the Tier 1 E9/Boston Hockey League (BHL). Mariners Tier 2 and Tier 3 teams participate in the Maine Amateur Hockey Association (MEAHA) travel league, focusing on regional games.

 

SCHEDULE


Practices: 
Mariners Elite: Practices begin in mid-August.  Practices leading up to the start of the season will include full-ice and half-ice practices.  Once the season begins, teams will have 2-3 practices per week, dedicated skills practices and dryland fitness sessions in some cases.  Outside instructors are utilized to supplement the regular coaching staff and teach weekly on-ice individual and team-based skills.
 

Mariners: Practices typically start the first week in October. Practices will be 2-3 times per week and a combination of half-ice, full ice, dedicated skills and dryland fitness sessions in some cases. Outside instructors are utilized to supplement the regular coaching staff and teach weekly on-ice individual and team-based skills.

Games: 

Mariners Elite: Teams are organized strictly by birth year and compete in the Boston Hockey League in one of three divisions: E9, American, and National.  Teams participate in a parity tournament in May to determine league placement.  League games will be located throughout New England.  Teams can expect to play 50-60 games when combining the parity tournament, league games, non-league games and tournaments.  Players are expected to give games priority over all other activities.  In certain circumstances, older teams (14U) may play a combined season of BHL and MEAHA.

Mariners: Teams will compete in the Maine Amateur Hockey Association (MEAHA) travel league. League games typically begin in late October and end in late February. The MEAHA regular season typically consists of 18-24 games. MEAHA teams cover a geographic area from Bangor to the north, to Rockport to the east, to Biddeford to the south. Teams will likely travel 1-3 times to each MEAHA opponent’s rink for games. Travel to Bangor and Rockport will usually include two games in the same day.

The MEAHA schedule will likely be supplemented with non-league games against MEAHA teams, Casco Bay girls travel teams, and/or out-of-state teams. The goal is a total game schedule, including tournaments, of approximately 40-45 games. Travel is usually limited to Northern New England and nearby Canada, usually within a 5-hour drive. Travel of more than 2 hours will not be made for a single game.

The CBHA Board of Directors reserves the right to move a team to a different league if it is deemed best for the players, team, and organization to succeed in meeting our goals and objectives.

 

TOURNAMENTS 

 

Teams typically participate in two or three invitational tournaments.

Specific tournament locations are determined by the coaching staff and the Travel Director in the Fall or during the season. Tournament locations are typically in New England, Quebec, or New Brunswick. The cost of the tournament(s) is covered as part of the Casco Bay fee, but each family does incur the additional cost of the hotel room, food, etc. Tournaments are often scheduled around holidays, but players may have to miss part or all of a school day in order to attend a tournament.

State Tournament (Mariners only): Depending on the team’s regular season record, they may participate in the MEAHA State of Maine Tournament. Tournament entry fees are covered as part of Casco Bay player registration fees. Not all MEAHA teams are guaranteed to make the state tournament, as it is a function of the number of teams in MEAHA for a given division/season. The State tournament is usually in late February or early March. The location varies.

Regional Tournament (Mariners only): Top finishing team(s) in the MEAHA State Tournament may earn spots in a New England Regional or Sectional Tournament, usually in March.

 

FEES

 

Fees are set by the Board of Directors during summer meetings. Fees are typically in the $2,000-$2,300 range for Mariners and $2,700-3,000 for Mariners Elite.  Fees will cover the following:

Mariners Elite:

  • +/- 32 half ice practices
  • +/- 9 full ice practices
  • +/- 17 skills sessions including skating & goalie instructor fees

Mariners:

  • +/- 26 half ice practices
  • +/- 5 full ice practices
  • +/- 17 skills sessions including skating & goalie instructor fees

Home game ice and referees, typically 12-16 home games

Tournaments

  • 2 outside invitational tournaments
  • MEAHA State Tournament (if team qualifies)
  • Regional Tournament (if team qualifies)

Game jerseys and socks, practice jersey, helmet stickers.

 

Tryouts

 

Tryouts at Casco Bay Hockey are a key selection process for our travel teams, allowing us to form competitive squads for the upcoming season. Players interested in high-level competition and extensive travel can opt to try out for birth year-specific Elite teams, while those seeking a more regional experience might prefer the Mariners Co-Ed programs. To be considered for a travel team, players must register and participate in tryouts, which typically take place in early spring. Tryout registration details will be posted on our website.

After tryouts conclude, selected players will receive travel season registration details directly. Players aiming to try out for both Elite and lower-tier teams should only register for the Elite tryouts. Players not selected for the Elite team will have an option to attend Mariners Co-Ed or Girls tryouts at no extra cost if they accept a roster spot or are not selected for Mariners Co-Ed or Girls teams. However, if a player declines a Mariners Co-Ed or Girls contract, an additional tryout fee will apply.

 

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

 

Our goal as an organization is to develop sound, fundamental hockey skills and life lessons that transcend hockey. We will emphasize the importance of hard work, perseverance, unselfishness and teamwork.

Elements of our coaching philosophy include:

  • Team Play – players should understand they are part of a unit that works together to achieve a common goal. 
  • Respect for the game and others, integrity and commitment are the building blocks of developing good hockey players and young adults alike.

Skaters:

  • Practice like you Play, Play like you Practice
  • The puck moves faster than any player (i.e.-passing is key)
  • 95% of hockey is moving without the puck
  • Winning 1x1 battles, with and without the puck, is key at any level

Jayson Morrison

Travel Director, contact for questions about Mariners Travel teams.