The Iowa Heartlanders have announced that they have signed Head Coach and General Manager Derek Damon to a multi-year extension. Damon has been with the Heartlanders since their inaugural season, where he was an assistant coach and would be promoted to Head Coach after Gerry Fleming would head to Germany to coach after the teams’ inaugural season in which they went 29-33-10 which is currently the best season in Heartlanders franchise history.
Things haven’t gotten much better in Coralville since the team has finished last in the division in all three seasons of existence and have failed to win 30 games. In his first year as Head Coach, the Heartlanders went 22-36-13-1 and finished second to last in the league. This year, the Heartlanders finished with a record of 27-37-6-2, and those 37 regulation losses were the most in franchise history. Prior to joining the Heartlanders, Damon spent a year as the assistant coach and Director of Player Development with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL.
With his multi-year extension, Damon will look to improve the on-ice product. If there’s one bright spot for the Heartlanders, it’s that they finally recorded their first team sellout during the team’s final home game this season. The Heartlanders have finished last in league attendance the past two seasons. Only time will tell if this ends up being the right choice for the Heartlanders long-term.
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When you do an article you should know the facts. Damon was with the team in its inaugural season as an assistant. Guess anyone can be in media and make crap up.