IOWA WILD 2024-25 SEASON PREVIEW

Oct 11, 2024

Only 175 days separate the last time the Iowa Wild took the ice and the 2024-25 home opener, but for fans and players alike, the season could not come soon enough.  

Following a 2023-24 season in which the Wild rallied down the stretch but came up short of a playoff spot, Iowa spent the summer months retooling the roster to find the right complement of players to the current crop of developing prospects. Iowa Wild General Manager Matt Hendricks and Head Coach Brett McLean each described this season’s team as bigger, faster, and more experienced, elements that may prove to be decisive as the wear and tear of a 72-game season comes into play.  

The Iowa Wild enter the campaign with the objective of returning to the postseason and an equally important task of developing the players who will eventually graduate to play in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. Iowa will look for veteran players to set an example both on and off the ice for the team’s rising stars, who will be expected to take on increased responsibilities as the season progresses. 

In this season preview, fans can learn about the organization’s outlook for the season, the process behind creating this season’s roster, and the attributes of the team’s new players. 

OUTLOOK 

In the AHL, every team faces the challenge of frequent roster turnover when their NHL counterpart deals with injuries or wants to promote a high-performing player. Last season proved to be no different for Iowa, as many of the team’s expected veteran stalwarts spent much of the year in Minnesota filling holes created by injuries. 

“Last season was tough, but we don’t make excuses,” said McLean. “Plenty of teams in the AHL have players get called up and they still win in the playoffs. We’re looking to continue to grow and be one of those teams that gets into the playoffs while continuing to develop players.” 

McLean, who spent three seasons apiece with Iowa (2017-20) and Minnesota (2020-23) as an assistant coach before returning to Des Moines to take on the head coaching job, knows how important it is to players and fans alike to experience playoff hockey. 

“A big part of development is learning to win at the professional level. One of our jobs and roles is to play meaningful games and to play playoff games. We definitely want to give back to our fans so they have playoff games to go to.” 

BUILDING THE ROSTER 

In his first offseason as…