Exclusive: The Captain Introduces The First Maine Mariners Captain

Today on WBLM it was the Captain and the Captain! The Blimp was super proud to introduce to the hockey world the inaugural captain of the new Maine Mariners. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the great Zach Tolkinen...CAPTAIN of your Maine Mariners!

The Mariners told us that Head coach Riley Armstrong was the assistant in Wheeling where Tolkinen played last season and had this to say about our captain:

“I just felt dealing with him [in Wheeling] and seeing how he commanded the locker room just being there for a short period of time, I kind of knew right away after we signed him on July 1^stthat he was the right guy for the job,” said Armstrong. “I think he has the respect from all of his teammates. He’s always in a good mood, keeping the guy loose, which is what we need heading into opening night.”

Tolkinen is entering his fifth year as a pro, all in the ECHL. He’s played 264 career games between Elmira, Missouri, Rapid City, and Wheeling, making him the lone “veteran” on the roster by definition – over 260 professional games. He’s also the oldest player on the roster, at 28 years old. Tolkinen is a native of Lino Lakes, Minnesota.

Here are your Alternative captain's too

We can't wait to meet all the guys on this team. Let's make sure we get out on Saturday and be part of hockey history in Maine!