The Maine Mariners have made their first signing on the blueline with the addition of rookie Christian Berger from Penn State University. In four years with the Nittany Lions, Berger put up nine goals and 33 assists for 42 points in 129 games. The St. Louis native would lead the Lione blueline with five goals and 15 assists for 20 points in 39 games during the 2022-23 season and would be named captain for his senior year. Prior to playing at the NCAA level, Berger spent parts three seasons in the USHL, where he put up 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points in 116 games with the Madison Capitals and Omaha Lancers.
“This experience is going to be a bit more hockey than in college so I’m excited for that,” said Berger. “It’s going to be a challenge; it’s going to be different. But I’m going to try and embrace that as much as I can and just enjoy it. Have fun, work hard and I’m pretty excited to do that.”
Berger on signing with the Maine Mariners (Via Maine Mariners Press Release)
Coming into the off-season, the Mariners knew they had to address their blueline with the losses of Fedor Gordeev, Andrew Peski, and Gabriel Chicoine, all of whom decided to take the overseas route for next season. For the Mariners, this gives them a young defenseman who has shown that he does have some have some offensive pop. The 24-year-old blueliner is the third former Nittany Lion since 2023-24 to sign with Maine, joining forwards Xander Laampa and Christian Sarlo.
