ECHL Mariners Reveal Renaissance Night Uniforms, Promote Mental Health Awareness

The Maine Mariners, the ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, will combine mental health awareness with a medieval twist when they host their “Renaissance Night” game on Friday, April 4th, at Cross Insurance Arena.

Partnering with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and News Center Maine’s “Let’s Talk About It” initiative, the Mariners will wear specialty jerseys resembling knight’s armour. Prominently featured on the front of these jerseys will be a patch displaying “988,” the national three-digit dialling code for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, providing confidential support to anyone experiencing emotional distress, mental health struggles, or substance use concerns.

“We understand that life can be hard sometimes,” explained Sarah Squirrell, Director of the Office of Behavioral Health at Maine DHHS, in the team’s release. “Whether you’re struggling with emotional distress, mental health struggles, or substance use concerns, Mainers can simply dial 988 and be connected to a trained, caring professional to talk to. We are grateful for the opportunity to spotlight this resource with the Maine Mariners.”

The Mariners’ event will also raise funds. Fifteen percent of the proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit The Opportunity Alliance, an organization that operates Maine’s 988 crisis hotline. Jerseys worn during the game will be auctioned off through DASH Auctions.

“Mental health is unfortunately something that people don’t address as thoroughly as physical health,” said Mariners CEO Adam Goldberg. “You don’t always know what your neighbour is going through, what battles the person sitting next to you at a game is fighting, or what your co-workers are dealing with. This new initiative will hopefully go a long way to let people know there are programs to get you the help you need. We need to look out for each other, and 988 is a great tool to help.”

As part of Renaissance Night, fans attending the game against the visiting Trois-Rivières Lions will enjoy entertainment from the Maine Renaissance Faire and Boston Bruins anthem singer Todd Angilly, who will perform the Canadian and American national anthems before the game.