The Iowa Wild are part of a strong affiliate network that includes the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders, which means the Heartlanders will be available to help develop players and personnel for another three years. This was announced in July 2024.

The three-team relationship began during the Heartlanders’ inaugural season (2021-2022), and more than 30 players have been called up from the Heartlanders to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League. 

The news marks the second consecutive offseason with significant announcements that should have a huge impact on the future of all three teams.

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The Wild now are in their second decade in the AHL, having joined the league for the 2013-2014 after a rebrand – the team formerly was the Houston Aeros – and a move from Texas to Des Moines, Iowa.

The transition to decade No. 2 for the 2023-2024 season came with a five-year extension of the team’s lease of Wells Fargo Arena and a new coaching staff – head coach Brett McLean, a former Minnesota Wild assistant coach, and assistants Ben Simon and Patrick Dwyer. 

Nathan McIver has since been brought in to replace Dwyer, who moved on to a role as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild in late 2023.

On the ice, however, last season ended a little sooner than the Wild would’ve liked, as they finished one spot out of a playoff berth. At 27-37-4-4, the squad was sixth in the seven-team Central Division, from which five teams made the playoff bracket. 

But while winning often fills seats and creates excitement, it’s not the only measure of success in the tiered hockey structure. 

One role of the affiliate teams is to give players the training and playing time needed to develop and succeed, knowing they’ll eventually move up to the next level. 

Some stay for longer than others, but that means constantly having to cycle in new players while saying goodbye to others. Some move up and back down and back up again. It’s the nature of the sport.

During the 2023-2024 NHL season, 18 players who previously played for Iowa dressed for the Minnesota Wild. A dozen played in Iowa at some point last year. Three former Iowa players made their NHL debuts in Minnesota. 

Playoffs or not, that sounds like a successful season for the Iowa Wild. 

Like most teams and parent organizations, Iowa and its affiliates have been busy drafting, trading and securing players and figuring where they fit best into the bigger picture. 

The Wild will begin their 2024-2025 campaign at home against the Manitoba Moose on Oct. 12-13 for a two-game series.

The AHL regular season features a 72-game schedule.

How To Stream Iowa Wild Hockey Games During The 2024-2025 Season

Every AHL hockey game will stream live on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Game replays, highlights and breaking news also will be available on both platforms.

Iowa Wild Hockey Schedule 2024-2025

See the complete schedule on the Iowa Wild team page on FloHockey.

What Was The Iowa Wild’s Record During The 2023-2024 Season?

The Iowa Wild finished the 2023-2024 regular season with a 27-37-4-4 record and were sixth in the seven-team AHL Central Division, just ahead of the Chicago Wolves.

Five of the seven teams in the division advanced to the Calder Cup Playoffs, led by the Central Division champion Milwaukee Admirals.  

When Do The 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs Start?

The 2024-2025 AHL regular season will conclude during the final week of April. The Calder Cup Playoffs typically begin later the same week.

As is tradition, 23 of the AHL’s 32 teams qualify for the playoffs, landing in the playoff bracket in a variety of configurations that are based on the size of each division.

The robust postseason will come after the conclusion of 1,152 regular-season games.

Who Won The Calder Cup During The 2023-2024 AHL Season?

Last season, the Hershey Bears won a record-extending 13th Calder Cup, also their second title in a row. Amazingly, their record includes another 12 runner-up finishes. 

Who Topped Their Divisions During The 2023-2024 AHL Season?

The Hershey Bears won the Atlantic Division with a near-record 53-14-0-5 performance during the regular season.

The Cleveland Monsters won the North Division (40-24-5-3), the Milwaukee Admirals took the Central Division (47-22-2-1) and the Coachella Valley Firebirds were the victors in the 10-team Pacific Division (46-15-6-5).

When Is The AHL All-Star Classic?

The 2025 AHL All-Star Classic is being hosted by the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Palm Desert, California on Feb. 2-3. 

The all-star game is on Feb. 3 and will follow the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony. 

How To Watch The AHL On FloHockey 

The AHL is streaming on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Live games, replays, highlights and breaking news also will be available on both platforms. 

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