SACO — Mike McKenna already holds Portland Pirates franchise records for most victories by a goaltender (84) and longest winning streak (13).

But if further proof were needed that Maine and McKenna forever will be intertwined, his 2-year-old daughter, Kenlin, provided it Tuesday morning as he was leaving the house.

“Just get me a whoopie pie, Daddy,” she said.

McKenna smiled as he recounted the tale an hour or so later after packing up his equipment at the team’s training facility. His other daughter, Adeline, was born in Portland this winter.

“The family’s got a pretty strong streak of Maine in them right now,” he said.

Tuesday was departure day for the Pirates, whose American Hockey League season came to an end Sunday night with a 2-1 loss to top-seeded Hershey in a winner-take-all Game 5 in Pennsylvania. Players went through exit interviews with coaching staff and members of the Florida Panthers’ front office.

“We knew we had the support of the organization both in Portland and Florida,” McKenna said. “I thought that synergy was really important to the success we had.”

The Panthers won a division title with help from 11 players that suited up for the Pirates. Portland placed fourth in its division, improving three points on its record last season, the last of four as affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes.

Defenseman Brent Regner, Portland’s captain, made his NHL debut this season, his seventh in pro hockey. Five other Pirates also reached the NHL for the first time: Connor Brickley, Logan Shaw, Mike Matheson, John McFarland and Kyle Rau.

“It was a surreal moment and I’ll cherish it forever,” said Regner, whose first game in Florida came against Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins. “I grew up watching (Jaromir) Jagr and (Roberto) Luongo. Everybody was so good to me and so welcoming.”

Players expressed similar sentiments about their reception in Maine.

“People are very welcoming,” said center Brett Olson. “When you talk to guys who have played here in the past, I haven’t heard anything bad about Portland. So we knew it was a good situation we were coming in to, facilities-wise and living-wise.”

In their second season back inside a refurbished Cross Insurance Arena, the Pirates increased attendance by 400 fans per game to an average of 3,363 to move out of the AHL cellar and into 29th place. They drew an average of 4,508 for two playoff games, an increase of 55 percent from last spring.

“You always want the building full,” said Brad Church, the team’s chief operating officer, “but we’re certainly trending in a good direction.”

One player absent Tuesday was Matheson, who joined Team Canada for the upcoming world championship tournament in Russia.

Center Wade Megan, who set a franchise record with seven short-handed goals among his season total of 14, plans to remain in Portland, get a mountain bike and explore.

“The city has a lot to offer in the summer, a lot of outdoorsy stuff and good restaurants,” he said. “I think I’ll be able to keep busy.”

Regner heads to his family’s ranch in Alberta to assist with calving season. Cameron Gaunce returns to Toronto where his wife landed a full-time job and his sister is expecting a baby. McKenna, a native of St. Louis and a fan of auto racing, will attend the Indianapolis 500 for the first time, joining his dad. Failing to close out the Hershey series after taking a two games to one lead will sting for a while.

“You also look back on the series and realize that we played well and we really should keep our heads high,” McKenna said.

CORRECTION: This story was updated at 1:40 p.m. on May 4 to show that Sidney Crosby plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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