Apr 26, 2023
Over the first nine seasons of Iowa Wild hockey, fans experienced a steady build toward success on the ice and a growth of the sport of hockey in the Des Moines community. Following a pair of shortened seasons and a narrow miss of a playoff position in 2021-22, the team entered its 10th anniversary season determined to deliver excitement to the city and earn its second-ever postseason berth. The 2022-23 season delivered on both counts and proved to be a roller coaster ride from beginning to end.
The Iowa Wild finished with a 34-27-6-5 record, earned a fourth-place position in the Central Division, and made the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second time in team history. Iowa set a new team record with a 14-game point streak (9-0-3-2) from Dec. 28 to Feb. 4.
Several players also set new records for the franchise. Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt peeled off wins in eight consecutive starts to exceed Kaapo Kahkonen’s previous high of seven, set in 2019-20. Wallstedt also earned 18 wins to beat Kahkonen’s previous single-season rookie record. Forward Sammy Walker established new rookie single-season highs with 27 goals, nine power-play goals, and a +19 rating. Joe Hicketts provided an offensive boost on the back end and tallied 42 assists to tie Brennan Mennell (2018-19, 2019-20) for the record for Iowa defensemen.
Iowa’s fans were primed for the 10th anniversary season with a unique event at Wells Fargo Arena in the week preceding the home opener. Just prior to the start of the NHL regular season, the Minnesota Wild announced that they would hold an open practice in Des Moines. Several thousand fans turned up on a Tuesday morning to see Iowa alumni and NHL superstars take the ice and attend a post-practice autograph session.
The Wild welcomed 8,610 fans to Wells Fargo Arena to kick off the 10th anniversary season on Oct. 14. Wallstedt saved 22 shots against the San Jose Barracuda to kick off his North American professional career.
Iowa picked up the first win of the season on Oct. 29 with a 5-2 victory in Manitoba before returning home to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins in the team’s annual School Day game on Nov. 3. Over 9,000 screaming kids saw a 6-3 Wild win.
Iowa earned points in each of Wallstedt’s first three starts, but he entered his fourth start on Nov. 12 still seeking his first AHL win. Wallstedt saved a season-high 37 shots at Allstate Arena to help the Wild to a…
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