Iowa Heartlanders Hockey Team to Suspend Operations

Can hockey survive in Coralville? Many fans are starting to wonder after the latest announcement from the Iowa Heartlanders.

Iowa Heartlanders to Suspend Hockey Operations

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the ECHL Board of Governors has approved a voluntary suspension of hockey operations for the Iowa Heartlanders. The team will not play the 2026-2027 season. The Heartlanders will finish its current season, playing eight games at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Heartlanders Average Attendance Lowest in the League

The Heartlanders, who are the NHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, average the lowest attendance in the league at 1,603 fans per game, according to the Gazette. The next lowest team averages over 2,500 fans. The league leader in Jacksonville averages over 9,000 fans per game.

Will The Team Ever Return?

The Gazette reports that Heartlanders owner Michael Devlin stated that stepping back for a season will give the organization a chance to "review long-term solutions." Devlin also noted that the move gives the organization the "best  opportunity to return on a stronger and more sustainable footing.”

The Heartlanders have a record of 19-30-3 this season, and sit 28th out of 30 ECHL teams.

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