Coralville, Iowa—Before Iowa’s three-game series with the Wheeling Nailers, Derek Damon looked to the NCAA to bolster the Heartlanders’ roster for a postseason push.
Jonny Sorenson, a forward from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, played five years of NCAA hockey and 167 games, playing three seasons for the University of Minnesota before transferring to Alaska-Fairbanks, where he was a captain for this 2023-24 season, which just ended for the Nanooks. Over 77 games, Sorenson tallied 18 goals and 25 assists. After wearing #4 for the Nanooks, Sorenson will need a new number for Iowa.
In Fairbanks, Sorenson also won the 2024 Chad Staley Team Player of the Year and Ryan Reinheller Humanitarian Award, as well as the Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup for the 13th consecutive year, which is given to the winner of a series between Alaska’s two hockey teams: Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Sorenson will join the Heartlanders for an action-packed week, which now has a new addition to the festivities:
The U12 Junior Heartlanders won their league championship this previous weekend, beating out teams from across Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. They will be honored during the game on Saturday, March 16th, while fans are collecting their bobbleheads, celebrating St. Hat Trick’s Day, and getting their photos with the Kelly Cup.
While all of this happens, Iowa will look to take down the Wheeling Nailers and get back into playoff position after their hot start to the season.
