Portland's new ECHL Hockey Team will have the same name as the AHL team that played in Portland back in the '70s through the '90s.

The new hockey team announced today that the "Maine Mariners" won the popular vote contest that they held to determine the new team's name.

The new Maine Mariners will hit the ice in October 2018 - one year from now, and they'll play at the Cross Insurance Arena.

The name "Mariners" was chosen from four other finalists, including the Portland Puffins, the Lumberjacks, the Wild Blueberries, and the Watchmen.

Adam Goldberg, VP of business operations for the Mariners, told the Press Herald today that the contest received more than 18,000 votes.

Let's welcome the Maine Mariners back to Portland!

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