The Allen Americans [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/breaking-martinson-returns-as-head-coach-of-allen-americans], along with Head Coach and GM Steve Martinson, announced the completion of a futures trade with the Maine Mariners [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/game-day/maine-mariners-quiet-lions-in-overtime-thriller]before the ECHL’s deadline on Friday. The Americans traded the rights to forward Liam Gorman to the Mariners, completing the March 19 deal [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/mariners-complete-trade-with-americans]that sent forward Ayden MacDonald to the Americans. The 25-year-old left-shot center from Boston was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins]in the 6th round (177th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. After playing four seasons in the NCAA [https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa/]at Princeton University, where he was captain in 2022-23, Gorman finished his collegiate career with the University of Massachusetts. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound Gorman signed with Allen last summer and skated in 62 games with the Americans in his rookie season. He scored six goals and added 11 assists for 17 points. Liam’s father Sean played professional hockey in the 1990s including one game with the Providence Bruins in 1992-93. Like Liam, Sean was a captain at Princeton. Liam’s younger brother Brendan is currently with the program as a rising senior. All players traded at Friday’s deadline will still need to sign contracts with their respective teams for the 2025-26 season, a process that begins on June 23. The next step in the rights retention process will take place on June 22nd, with the season-ending roster of up to 20 players. Players can begin signing contracts on June 23 and qualifying offers can be issued on July 7 to up to eight unsigned players. Allen begins its next season on the road in Wichita against the Thunder [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/athletes-unlimited-softball-league-to-hold-wichita-thunder-night]on Saturday, Oct. 18. The Mariners’ 2025-26 season begins on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Worcester against the Railers [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/railers-reveal-plans-to-celebrate-fan-appreciation-weekend]. The Home Opener against the Reading Royals [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/royals-name-former-everblades-assistant-as-new-head-coach-and-gm]will be on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 3 Pm. Photo Courtesy of the Allen Americans
