The Iowa Heartlanders are reloading after a strong 2024–25 campaign that saw them finish third in the Central Division with a record of 36-25-7-4. Iowa collected 83 points, played to a .576 points percentage, and pushed into the postseason with a balanced lineup. They finished just behind Toledo and Fort Wayne, proving they can hang with the top teams in the division.
This summer, the Heartlanders have been active, piecing together a roster that blends returning leaders, high-scoring newcomers, and young talent eager to prove themselves. With moves across all three positions, Iowa’s 2025–26 lineup is shaping up to be both deeper and more dynamic.
Forwards
Up front, Iowa’s forward group looks strong. Captain Yuki Miura returns for his fourth season after wearing the “C” in 2024–25 and delivering a career-high 41 points in 67 games. His relentless energy and leadership continue to set the tone for the team, and he remains one of the most recognizable faces of the franchise.
He won’t be carrying the load alone. Montréal native Adam Capannelli arrives after dominating the AlpsHL in back-to-back seasons, most recently scoring 69 points in just 38 games. He should immediately give Iowa a top-line scoring boost. Alongside him, Jaxon Nelson, a 6’4” center and former captain of the University of Minnesota, adds size and leadership down the middle after appearing in 35 AHL games with Providence last year.
Returning forwards provide plenty of familiarity for fans. T.J. Walsh was one of Iowa’s most reliable offensive weapons in his rookie year, finishing with 43 points in 66 games, while Ryan Miotto added another layer of consistency with 39 points across 67 games. Jonny Sorenson also made an impact in his first full season, producing 30 points in 62 games.
Depth scoring comes from several other key names. Keltie Jeri-Leon re-signs after putting up 20 points in 26 games with Iowa following a midseason move from Savannah, and he was a difference-maker in the playoffs with six more points in seven contests. Luke Mobley jumped in late last year after wrapping up at Augustana and chipped in four playoff points, showing flashes of power-forward potential. Matt Hubbarde added six points in 13 games after finishing his college career at Alaska-Fairbanks, while veteran Nathan Noel (a former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick) brought edge and energy, scoring twice in the postseason.
New faces round out the mix. Devin Sanders, who climbed from the FPHL to the SPHL last season, now gets his ECHL opportunity after combining for 50 points across both leagues. Hunter Brackett joins on a try-out following a breakout 40-point senior year at Saint Anselm College, while Jack O’Brien, a Portland Winterhawks captain in junior, impressed in his rookie season with Iowa, notching 17 points in 35 games plus four more in the playoffs. Adding toughness, Lucas Helland enters the mix after logging 142 penalty minutes with Knoxville in the SPHL.
With Miura’s leadership, proven scorers like Capannelli and Walsh, and a long list of returning depth contributors, Iowa’s forward group looks deeper and more dynamic.
Defensemen
On the blue line, Iowa has focused on adding mobility, size, and leadership. Elliott McDermott steps in after finishing his college career at RPI, where he posted 18 points in 35 games before making a short pro debut with Adirondack. Joining him is Jacob Arsenault, a right-shot defenseman who captained Briercrest College and recorded 18 points in 22 games last season, showcasing both toughness and playmaking ability.
Veteran presence comes from Lordanthony Grissom, a 6’4”, 229-pound blueliner with stops in Norfolk, Jacksonville, Greenville, and Allen, along with a championship run in the SPHL with Peoria. Rounding out the group is Thomas Stewart, a 22-year-old Toronto native who played 45 games with Bloomington as a rookie after a strong junior career in the OHL with Oshawa and Barrie.
This group combines proven leadership, playoff experience, and young upside — a mix designed to stabilize Iowa’s defensive core.
Goaltenders
In goal, Iowa adds Dante Giannuzzi, a 23-year-old from Winnipeg who split last season between Iowa and Norfolk. He played his heaviest pro minutes in Utah during 2023–24, appearing in 31 games, and brings a strong junior background from his years with the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL.
Giannuzzi’s addition gives the Heartlanders depth in net, with room to develop while pushing for more starts this season.
Looking Ahead
The Heartlanders are coming off a season where they proved they could compete with the Central’s top contenders, and their summer signings suggest they’re aiming even higher in 2025–26. With Miura, Walsh, and Miotto anchoring a forward group that’s been upgraded with Capannelli and Nelson, plus a defense that blends size and skill, Iowa looks ready to take another step.
Rosters across the ECHL will continue to take shape as training camp approaches, and Iowa’s story isn’t finished yet. Fans can expect more updates in the coming weeks — but for now, the Heartlanders have already put together a roster that looks faster, tougher, and built to make noise in the Central Division.
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