Gerry Fleming Named Heartlanders First Head Coach

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, announced Gerry Fleming has been named the first Head Coach in Heartlanders history.A notable bench boss in professional hockey with 23 seasons of coaching experience, Fleming joins the Heartlanders following three seasons as the assistant coach of Eisbären Berlin in the DEL, the highest level of professional hockey in Germany. Fleming helped guide Eisbären Berlin to the league championship in 2021.“The pieces are in place to have a great first season with the staff in place, our strong connections in our community and affiliation with the Iowa Wild and Minnesota Wild,” Fleming said. “Our next step is to start signing players to our roster, which we will start announcing in the coming days. Fans can also expect that the players we bring on board are going to be strong role models and active around our community.”“Gerry’s reputation as a strong developer of talent and a winner makes him the right man to lead the Heartlanders,” said President & CEO Brian McKenna. “Fans will immediately notice his passion and outgoing nature and know he will be a recognizable and friendly face in Coralville and Iowa City.”Career Highlights-  Led ECHL’s Florida Everblades to back-to-back conference championships in 2004 and 2005. Qualified for Kelly Cup Playoffs in all seven years as Everblades Head Coach (2001-08). Career ECHL Head Coaching of 320-189-67 (.614 points %).- Four seasons as AHL Head Coach with AHL assistant coach with Springfield Falcons and Oklahoma City Barons from 2008-14 before becoming Oklahoma City Head Coach in 2014-15 campaign. Bakersfield Condors Head Coach from 2015-18. Career AHL Head Coaching record of 121-105-29.- Played seven seasons professionally as a forward and skated in 11 career NHL games with Montreal Canadiens. Fredericton Canadiens (AHL) from 1991-98.Rose Club Season Ticket Memberships are now available by visiting iowaheartlanders.com and calling the ticket office. Call 319-569-4625 (GOAL) and visit iowaheartlanders.com for more information.Also announced Tuesday, the Heartlanders’ AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, will host the Rockford IceHogs for an AHL preseason game Oct. 8 at Xtream Arena in the first professional hockey game in the new building. Tickets are available for the Fri., Oct. 8 game by calling the Heartlanders box office or by visiting https://bit.ly/XtreamArenaPreseason.