The Iowa Heartlanders hockey team, based in Coralville, has a new owner.
The Heartlanders, who are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild, have been purchased by Heartlanders Hockey LLC, an Iowa ownership with local ties led by majority owner Michael Devlin.
The new ownership was announced July 19. The ECHL Board of Directors has approved the transaction.
Mr. Devlin’s group also owns the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League, where the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders also compete.
Since their founding in 2021, the Iowa Heartlanders have been owned by Deacon Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian-based ownership group.
The Heartlanders have played two seasons in the ECHL, with their home games at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. They have missed the playoffs in their first two years.
In a news release, the Heartlanders said Mr. Devlin “aims to build a winning team and foster a close-knit relationship with the local community and partners. The purchase ensures the Heartlanders will continue to chart a strong path forward in Coralville, with renewed focus on growing hockey’s roots in Eastern Iowa.”
“I am honored to join the Heartlanders family and help build a rich hockey culture in our community,” Mr. Devlin said. “My top goal is to create a winning environment to make our fans proud. Additionally, we plan to continue to deepen the already strong connection the Heartlanders have forged in this community with their fans and partners. We are committed to working closely with businesses in the community and offering them beneficial and unique opportunities to create a strong brand presence for the Heartlanders. Together, we can build a prosperous and thriving hockey culture in eastern Iowa.”
“On behalf of our Board of Governors, the league is proud to welcome Michael Devlin into the ECHL with his experienced business background and commitment to hockey in the state of Iowa,” ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin added. “Combining the synergies of the Heartlanders in conjunction with his ownership of the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers, we are excited to see the growth of hockey through his leadership in the region, welcoming a new wave of fans to the Xtream Arena.”
The release also indicates that under Mr. Devlin’s ownership, the Heartlanders will actively engage in community initiatives, expand the footprint of the club’s youth hockey programs, and broaden participation in charity events and educational outreach.
The Heartlanders open the 2023-24 season against the Rapid City Rush Oct. 20.
