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Hockey Operations Staff

Rick Kowalsky

Head Coach & General Manager

Rick Kowalsky was named the fourth head coach in Mariners history on Aug. 6, 2025, bringing 20 years of experience coaching in professional hockey, most recently as head coach of the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders. Prior to his time in Bridgeport, Kowalsky worked his way up the coaching ladder in the New Jersey Devils organization, rising all the way from the ECHL to the NHL. He secured his first head coaching job with the ECHL’s Trenton Titans in 2006, spending four seasons there before being elevated to the head job with the AHL’s Albany Devils in 2010. He was named AHL Coach of the Year in 2016. After eight seasons with New Jersey’s AHL club (including his final season in Binghamton), the Devils moved him to the NHL bench to become an assistant coach in 2018, where he'd spend three seasons. Kowalsky is in the ECHL Hall of Fame (class of 2017), was a two-time ECHL All-Star, a Kelly Cup champion and named ECHL Coach of the Year in 2009. A native of Simcoe, Ontario, Kowalsky three seasons with the Portland Pirates from 1996-99, posting 72 points in 108 games.

Zach Tolkinen

Assistant Coach

The first captain in franchise history was named Assistant Coach in August 2024, after Johnny McInnis stepped down from the role. An ECHL veteran of over 450 games, "Tolks" sported the "C" for the Mariners over their first two seasons from 2018-2020. The 34-year-old was born in Lino Lakes, MN and played collegiately at Quinnipiac University, before making his ECHL debut for the Elmira Jackals in 2014. Along the way, Zach also played for the Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City, Rush, and Wheeling Nailers. He spent his final playing season with the Fort Wayne Komets in 2021-22.

Brian McQueen

Equipment Manager

Brian McQueen joined the Mariners in September 2021 after three years in the SPHL with the Knoxville Ice Bears. He was named SPHL “Equipment Manager of the Year” in 2020. A native of Boston, MA, McQueen moved to Missouri where he attended the University of Central Missouri, earning a degree in Sport Management, and where he played inline hockey as a part of the NCRHA. He also gained experience in the ECHL as an equipment intern for the Kansas City Mavericks in 2017-18. Since 2015, Brian has also spent time working for the Kansas City Chiefs during their training camp, as well as a full season in 2017. Brian is excited to be returning to the east coast and currently lives in Westbrook.

Patrick Sponzo

Athletic Trainer

Patrick Sponzo became the Mariners Athletic Trainer in October of 2023, following the departure Matt Salmen for the AHL. A native of Windsor, CT, Patrick was the head athletic trainer for the Greensboro Swarm, the G League affiliate of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets in 2022-23. He’s also worked in the collegiate ranks at The College of the Holy Cross, the University of Hartford, Stony Brook University, and Florida Gulf Coast University. He earned his Bachelor's of Athletic Teaining at Lasell University in 2016.