San Diego Mariners

The San Diego Mariners were an ice hockey team based in San Diego that played in the World Hockey Association. They played from 1974 to 1977. Their home ice was San Diego Sports Arena. Previous to being in San Diego, the team was known as the New York Raiders, New York Golden Blades, and Jersey Knights.

Star players for the Mariners included defenseman Harry Howell, center Andre Lacroix, and goaltender Ernie Wakely. The Mariners were coached by Howell (as player/coach) during their first season and Ron Ingram the succeeding two seasons, qualifying for the WHA playoffs each year.

During the Mariners' final season, the team was owned by then-San Diego Padres and McDonald's owner Ray Kroc. However, the team never drew well, and when they only managed to attract 5,000 fans per game, Kroc sold the team to a group who planned to move it to Melbourne, Florida. Unfortunately, the new owners couldn't find a suitable arena, and the Mariners folded just before training camp opened in the fall of 1977.

Team colors for the Mariners were orange and blue. The color scheme was the same as it was for the San Diego Gulls of the old Western Hockey League. The color scheme was later again adopted in the form of throwback jerseys for the now defunct WCHL/ECHL San Diego Gulls.