Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

From the fans to players, relief surrounds decision

The Pirates are remaining in Maine, which brings an end to 'a lot of angst' for some followers.

By Paul Betit pbetit@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Fans are breathing a sigh of relief now that the Portland Pirates are going to play at the Cumberland County Civic Center for at least two more seasons.

Fears that the Pirates might be headed elsewhere evaporated when the Civic Center's board of trustees agreed Wednesday to a two-year lease extension with the team, carrying through to the 2011-12 season.

The unanimous vote came two days after the Pirates' managing owner/CEO, Brian Petrovek, broke off negotiations with the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y., which wants to replace an AHL team that's moving to North Carolina after this season.

"There's been a lot of angst when it started to come out that the deal (with Albany) was done and the Pirates were leaving," said Dick Rosene, a Cumberland resident who has been a season ticket holder for 10 seasons. "I'm really glad they're staying. I can sleep better at night.

"(Portland's) a great city. Hopefully we'll get more fans out now that the people know there's a commitment to being here."

Jennie Hansen, a South Portland resident who has been a season ticket holder since 1995, said, "The past couple of weeks have been a balancing act between optimism and despair. I'm thrilled that they're here. I wish it was longer."

Ferris Jacobs, a Portland resident who became a season ticket holder after moving to Maine from upstate New York in 2005, also is relieved.

"When we moved here, I thought I would see a few Sea Dogs games and a few Pirate games," he said.

"I still see a few Sea Dog games but I've really gotten into the Pirates. I was never a hockey fan until then."

Jacobs is especially pleased the Pirates extended their affiliation last week with the Buffalo Sabres.

"I know there was talk of having some other team come in, but I think Buffalo is a good parent team to have," Jacobs said.

"It's been a good brand of hockey since the Buffalo affiliation," added Ernie Lebel, a Portland resident who has been a season ticket holder since the days of the Maine Mariners. "A good product on the ice usually brings the fans out, like this past weekend (when) we had good crowds."

The fans aren't the only people glad to see the Pirates are staying put.

"I took my daughters to Carrie Underwood (Monday night at the Civic Center), and they said 'Oh, thanks, dad,' " said Kevin Dineen, in his fifth season as the Pirates' coach. "But when I told them the team was staying in Portland, they thought I was the rock star."

For the past five years, the Dineen family has lived in Cape Elizabeth during the school year.

"Obviously, I've said how much my family and I enjoy it in Portland, and I like the idea the team isn't changing colors," he said. "We're still the Pirates, and we're going to be here for a few more years."

Pirates assistant coach Eric Weinrich, a veteran of 18 NHL seasons who grew up in Gardiner and lives in Yarmouth, also is happy the team is staying.

"My first reaction is that I'm excited for the fans and the people of Portland that they're going to have a hockey team for another two years," he said. "Selfishly, I'm glad the team's staying. If I decide to remain in coaching, I'll have a chance to do it in Portland."

Defenseman Mike Kostka, in his second season with the Pirates, also was relieved to hear the news.

"Every (player) here likes Portland and would prefer to be here than in Albany," he said. "We've got great fan support here, and I don't know if Albany has that."

A few of the Pirates were with the Rochester Americans when the Sabres ended their 29-year affiliation with that AHL franchise before moving their minor league operation to Portland in 2008. One of them, veteran forward Mark Mancari, is simply glad to have the lease negotiations come to an end.

"It definitely plays in the guys' heads," he said. "A couple of us were in Rochester before, and we had to move here to begin with. It's nice to get it out of the way and just focus on the game."

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com