The 2022-23 ECHL season is upon us and it is time to look at the slate ahead for the Iowa Heartlanders, one of the best sports teams in Iowa. The team is still very new to the ECHL and hockey in general, having made their first appearance in the league just last season.
This will be your guide for not only the 2022-23 Iowa Heartlanders schedule, but a look back at the inaugural season, the promotional schedule ahead, and everything that you need to know about the Heartlanders.
The 2022-23 Season: An Overview
Since the season has already begun, it helps to take a look at the schedule from afar. The season began in earnest on October 21, 2022 with a back-to-back against Idaho. The team has already played 30 games on the season, going 7-15-7-1 over the stretch.
There are still 42 games left on the schedule, starting with a January 11th tilt against the Indy Fuel. The season will culminate with a three game home-stand against the Wheeling Nailers, with all three games being promotional nights to reward the fans.
The ECHL plays a 72-game schedule and this will be the second go-around for the Heartlanders. Let’s take a closer look at the creation of the team and their inaugural season in the next section.
The Birth of an ECHL Franchise
Hockey is still new to Eastern Iowa, something that wasn’t brought to the table until the fall of 2020. Dean McDonald, through his Deacon Sports and Entertainment group) reached an agreement to bring an ECHL team to the Xtream Arena. With approval, the Heartlanders would begin play for the 2021-22 season.
With former ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna as team president, it was announced that the team would be the affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. They would hire Gary Fleming to be the team’s inaugural head coach and would be set to debut in the fall of 2021.
The first season went better than could have been expected for a debuting franchise. Though the Heartlanders finished last in the Central Division, their place in the standings don’t underscore the season at large.
The team would finish with a record of 29-33-9-1 for a respectable first-year showing. There were a couple of standouts on the offensive side of things as well. Kris bennet lit up the league to the tune of 35 goals and 73 points in just 50 games for the Heartlanders. Ryan Kuffner was equally as impressive, posting 46 assists and 64 points in just 41 games of action.
Eastern Iowa will get a look at some of the prospects to come up in the Wild organization, not to mention the fun that comes with an ECHL franchise.
2022-23 Iowa Heartlanders Promotional Schedule
For leagues like the ECHL and AHL, part of the allure are the promotions run throughout the season. These are a great chance for fans to not only view some great hockey action but to perhaps grab a free item or two.
There have been a few promotions already. The first was on opening weekend. The opening night saw a magnet schedule giveaway to the first 2,500 fans in attendance. There was also the Fanbango giveaway where 100 branded pucks were given away to fans in attendance.
The next night, they had a rally towel giveaway while offering the chance to win great Minnesota/Iowa Wild apparel, including jerseys as well as the chance to win in-game prizes and activations.
November Promotions
November 20th was the next giveaway and the first specialty jersey for the year. The specialty jersey was for Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants Day jerseys. The jerseys weren’t the only part as there was a special post-game meet and greet with the jerseys available for purchase. Fans were encouraged to wear their SpongeBob pajamas to earn a chance to win special prizes.
Next up was November 26th with Military Appreciation Night. The first 500 fans were given a camo stress ball with a portion of the proceeds for the night given to Salute to the Fallen. It was a great night for honoring both active and reserve military members in the area.
The next night saw another Fanbango giveaway as well as a fan postgame skate. Fans could bring their own skates, showing a ticket stub in order to get on the ice and have a skate around.
We’re HYPE about szn 2’s hype video 🤩 All thanks to Northwoods Film Co. for creating this ✨masterpiece✨ pic.twitter.com/CVlH1KizIQ
— Iowa Heartlanders (@GoHeartlanders) November 28, 2022
December Promotions
December was a great month for promotions, starting with the 12 days of Christmas beginning on December 13th. On this day, 10 specialty signed jerseys were made available for purchase as well as things like in-game activations, signed merchandise, and collectible items for fans to grab.
December 14th was Field Trip Day. This was a great educational component for schools within the Iowa City Community School District. The goal was to promote not only the game of hockey but the importance of exercise and all the lessons related to each.
December 16th was the first of a two-part Player Card Giveaway series with the first 500 fans in attendance receiving a pack of trading cards. This was also Rose Jersey Friday event, with the Heartlanders wearing their Rose alternate jerseys in a game against Kalamazoo.
December 17th was the famed Teddy Bear Toss night. Fans in attendance were encouraged to bring their own teddy bears to the event. When the Heartlanders scored, everyone tossed their bears onto the ice with all of them being donated to Toys for Tots to go to needy families. This was also the Ugly Sweater game with giveaways involved for wearing your best Ugly Sweater.
happy holidays from the heartland! 🦌🎄 pic.twitter.com/hF86u16Lpx
— Iowa Heartlanders (@GoHeartlanders) December 24, 2022
January Promotions
January 7th saw the first bobblehead giveaway of the season. Not only that, but it was also the Moss Oak jersey night with a special post-game meet and greet, auctions, seat upgrades, signed bobbleheads, and so much more.
January 22nd is Dash’s Birthday as well as Star Wars night for one of the best nights in the galaxy.
January 27th saw the Rose jerseys come back for another showdown with Kalamazoo.
January 28th will be DC Comics Night and Fight with the Flash. This is where the Heartlanders will wear their specialty Flash jerseys with a post-game meet and greet and a silent auction for the special jerseys as well. Fans who wear DC Comics apparel will have a chance to win special prizes and in-game activations.
Rounding out the January schedule is the January 29th Elementary School game. The event welcomes students, teachers, and administrative staff in a way to give back to the local school districts. There will be a postgame skate for fans in attendance; bring your skates and ticket stub to join.
February Promotions
There are four promotional events happening in February, beginning the weekend of February 17th, 18th, and 19th with the Cancer Awareness series.
The Heartlanders will recognize the battle against cancer of all forms with specialty jerseys that will be available for purchase, collectible pucks, apparel, signed locker room nameplates, and a special post-game meet and greet.
Diversity Awareness Night will be on February 22nd, where the Heartlanders will join the NHL and AHL in the fight to make hockey for everyone. The Heartlanders will show their commitment to equality in not only sports but all areas of the community.
The series will continue on February 24th with the Rose jersey alternates to be worn against Kalamazoo. It will conclude with a giveaway on February 25th and a Fanbango giveaway to all fans in attendance.
March Promotions
The specialty jerseys will return on March 10th for Marvel Night and Special Olympics Night. The team will wear Captain America jerseys and will give fans the chance to buy those jerseys as well as win in-game activations, signed bobbleheads, signed pucks, and other prizes for just wearing their favorite Marvel gear. The event will also recognize Special Olympics Iowa with members of the organization in attendance.
Star Trek Night is next on the docket coming March 24th. The Rose jerseys will be back as the Heartlanders take on Wichita and there will be several prizes on the night for those wearing their Trekkie gear.
The final event of March comes on March 25th for Heartland Heroes. The night will be to honor the frontline workers that serve the Eastern Iowa area, with special donations made to those who have and continue to serve their community so selflessly.
April Promotions
The final two promotions of the season will happen in April on back-to-back nights. On April 14th, Fan Appreciation Weekend kicks off. The team will break out the Rose alternate jerseys against Wheeling while beginning the fan appreciation festivities.
The next day, April 15th will be a full send-off for the Heartlanders and a “thank you” to the fan base. The first 500 fans will receive a pack of cards to complete the set of 2022-23 cards.
There will be a season game-worn jersey auction where fans will be able to purchase jerseys of their favorites. Giveaways will happen all night as the season concludes in front of the home crowd.
Credits for Featured Image: Iowa Heartlanders
