It was announced Monday that the Iowa Heartlanders, ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, will voluntarily suspend operations for the 2026-27 season. The club is in the midst of its fifth season in the ECHL. The decision to go on voluntary suspension was approved by the league’s board of governors. 

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The Heartlanders, based in Coralville, Iowa – just outside Iowa City which is home to the University of Iowa  – will complete the 2025-26 season before going dark for 2026-27.

According to a statement released by the team, the organization will “evaluate strategic alternatives aimed at ensuring a sustainable long-term future for professional hockey in the [Cedar Rapids-Iowa City] Corridor, including potential investment or ownership partnerships that support the continued success of the franchise.”

A statement from the Iowa Heartlanders:#GoLanders🦌 #DefendTheForest pic.twitter.com/dLEyZwGWQV

— Iowa Heartlanders (@GoHeartlanders) March 9, 2026

A number of teams have undergone voluntary suspensions of operations in the last 20 years. Most did not return to play.

The team has made the playoffs in one of its five seasons, falling in a highly-contentious first-round series to the Fort Wayne Komets last spring.

Through 54 games this season, Iowa is 19-30-3 which is last in the Central Division and 28th out of the ECHL’s 30 teams. The club has also finished last in attendance in each of the last four seasons.

The club was initially owned by Dean MacDonald, who also owned the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers and Trois-Rivières Lions, but he sold the Heartlanders and Lions. The Lions, under new ownership last season, won its first Kelly Cup as ECHL champion. The Growlers folded during the 2023-24 season.

Michael Devlin, who also owns the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL, stepped up to purchase the Heartlanders. In his first year, the team reached the playoffs for the first time. 

“This was an incredibly difficult decision that followed months of careful evaluation," said Devlin. “Despite significant efforts to stabilize and strengthen the organization, we concluded that stepping back for a season is the most responsible course while we review long-term solutions. As stewards of the franchise, we believe this step gives the organization the best opportunity to return on a stronger and more sustainable footing.”

The ECHL is set to welcome new teams over the next two years including one in Augusta, Ga., slated to begin play in 2027-28 and the New Mexico Goatheads will start play next fall. Additionally, the Utah Grizzlies were sold and relocated to Trenton, N.J., where they will play next season as the Trenton Ironhawks.

Losing the Heartlanders, should they not return from suspension, however, will put the league just below the 32 teams to mirror the NHL and AHL.

It is unclear at this time if the Minnesota Wild will have an ECHL affiliate for the 2026-27.

Despite struggles on the ice, the Heartlanders had a number of bright spots through its brief history.

The team had four alumni participate in the recently completed 2026 Winter Olympics including goalie Samuel Hlavaj of Slovakia, defenseman David Spacek of Czechia, as well as defenseman Jules Boscq and forward Louis Boudon, who represented France.

The club also saw its first former player, Spacek, make their NHL debut.

Additionally, Kris Bennett was named the ECHL’s Rookie of the Year during the team’s inaugural season, tying for the league lead with 35 goals.

Original Heartlander Yuki Miura became the first Japanese-born captain in North American pro hockey last season. He recently played his 300th career game with the club and leads the team in all major offensive categories.

The Heartlanders have five home games remaining with the last home game coming April 15.

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