ECHL Board of Governors Approves Transfer of Controlling Interest of Iowa Heartlanders

SHREWSBURY, N.J.- On Wednesday, July 19, the ECHL announced the Transfer of Controlling Interest in the Iowa Heartlanders from Deacon Sports and Entertainment to Heartlanders Hockey, LLC.

Heartlanders Hockey, LLC, is an entity controlled by Michael Devlin, who may be familiar to Iowans as the owner of the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League and mind behind the 3,400-Seat Buccaneer Arena in Urbandale, Iowa.

“I am honored to join the Heartlanders family and help build a rich hockey community. My top goal is to create a winning environment and make our fans proud. Additionally, we plan to continue to deepen the already strong connection the Heartlanders have forged in this community with their fans and partners.”

Michael Devlin

While Deacon Sports and Entertainment has relinquished control of the Iowa Heartlanders, they still maintain majority control in the Trois Rivières Lions and Newfoundland Growlers, keeping their control over ECHL’s two Canada-based teams.

Looking Forward

Buzz about Devlin’s acquisition of Controlling Interest kept the fans in Xtream Arena optimistic for the future following a disappointing 2022-23 season, In which the team took home 10 fewer points than their 2021-22 inaugural season.

The 2023-24 season is one that Iowa’s fans should be impatiently waiting for. Odeen Tufto, a 26-year-old Center who recorded 24 assists with the Orlando Solar Bears in 2021-22, is returning to the United States after splitting last season between the Atlanta Gladiators and Krefeld Pinguine of the DEL2. The Heartlanders have also returned fan-favorite and potential captain Yuki Miura and players such as Tanner MacMaster, Kevin McKernan, and Nolan Orzeck.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

One thought on “ECHL Board of Governors Approves Transfer of Controlling Interest of Iowa Heartlanders”

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Tahoe Knight Monsters Bring Back Anthony Collins

The Tahoe Knight Monsters have re-signed forward Anthony Collins for the 2025-26 season. Collins played in a career-high 70 games, scoring four goals and adding five assists for nine points. His 66 penalty minutes led the Knight Monsters. Tahoe had the fewest penalty minutes (644) during the 2024-25 season. He becomes the first member of […]

Read More

ECHL: Kansas City Mavericks Hire Brett Ferguson as Assistant Coach

The Kansas City Mavericks have officially announced the addition of Brett Ferguson as an Assistant Coach, bringing with him a well-rounded resume that spans multiple levels of North American hockey. Ferguson’s athletic roots run deep. A dual-sport standout in his youth, he captured two high school state hockey championships and one in baseball. After a […]

Read More

ECHL: Indy Fuel Sign Jadon Joseph

The Indy Fuel have announced their first signing of the 2025-26 season, and it’s a rookie forward, Jadon Joseph. In 28 games last season, he put up three goals and 13 assists for 16 points at the University of Calgary. Joseph would get to play alongside his brother Ranon Joseph during the 2024-25 season. His […]

Read More