Heartlanders name Derek Damon assistant coach

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, have named Derek Damon the team’s assistant coach. Damon joins Head Coach Gerry Fleming on the Heartlanders coaching staff.Damon served as Associate Coach and Director of Player Development for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the BCHL last season. Prior to his coaching career, the 40-year-old native of Bangor, ME played professionally for 14 seasons (2006-20). “I could not be more excited to have the opportunity to come to a new organization, assist the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild in developing players, coach in a state-of-the-art building in Xtream Arena and begin the process of working with Gerry to build a winning team our community can be proud of,” Damon said. “We are eager for the puck to drop in October and I’m enthusiastic to move my family to Coralville and meet our fans.”“Derek brings an array of skills and experience that will help our players develop and grow their talents. We are thrilled to have him join our staff and earn his first opportunity to coach in the ECHL,” Fleming said. “I had the opportunity to coach Derek when he was a forward in the ECHL with Florida and he brings the right tools and energy to our locker room that will translate as a vital part of the winning culture we are building with the Heartlanders.” Career highlights - Amassed 256 professional goals and skated in nine professional leagues as player. In addition to the AHL and ECHL, played in 5 European countries (Germany, Denmark, Finland, Austria and Switzerland) during playing career.- Skated for Fleming for two seasons (2006-08) with Florida Everblades when Fleming was the ‘Blades Head Coach.- Qualified for two Frozen Fours at NCAA level with University of Maine (2002, 2004).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.The Heartlanders’ AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, will host the Rockford IceHogs for an AHL preseason game Oct. 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Xtream Arena in the first professional hockey game in the new building, presented by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission. Tickets are available for the Fri., Oct. 8 game by calling the Heartlanders box office at 319-569-4625 or by visiting https://bit.ly/XtreamArenaPreseason.