PORTLAND, ME – September 18, 2026 – A pair of former Maine Mariners players were hired as officials by the National Hockey League for the 2026-27 season, the ECHL announced on Friday. Referees Hayden Verbeek and Nick Isaacson were promoted from their roles as ECHL officials to the NHL.
Verbeek, 28, played four games for the Mariners in the inaugural season of 2018-19, while under contract with the Montreal Canadiens. He also skated in ECHL games for the Adirondack Thunder and Toledo Walleye in his career, in addition to 90 AHL games for the Laval Rocket and Grand Rapids Griffins. Hayden is a native of Kingston, ON and has worked the last two seasons as an ECHL referee.
Issacson, 27, is also Ontario-born, hailing from Oakville. He appeared in three games for the 2022-23 Mariners, before finishing that season with the Jacksonville Icemen. He also played for South Carolina, Cincinnati, and Allen in his career, and got into three AHL games for the Hershey Bears. Last season was Isaacson’s first as a professional official.
Verbeek and Isaacson are two of four ECHL officials receiving promotions, along with referee Austin Rook and linesman Anthony LaPointe.
The Mariners 2026-27 season begins on Saturday, October 17th at Worcester with the Home Opener one week later on Saturday, October 24th, a 1 PM puck drop against the Railers. For more information on ticket packages and group discounts for the 2026-27 season, fans can call 833-GO-MAINE, go to MaineMariners.com, or visit the Mariners front office at 94 Free Street in Portland.
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