2013–14 Iowa Wild season

2013–14 Iowa Wild
Division 4th Midwest Division
Conference last Western Conference
2013–14 record 26–31–6–4 (62 pts)
Home record 3–4–0–0
Road record 2–0–0–0
Goals for 26
Goals against 26
Team information
General Manager Jim Mill
Coach Kurt Kleinendorst
Assistant Coach Steve Poapst
Arena Wells Fargo Arena
Team leaders
Goals Erik Haula (14)
Erik Haula (3)
Jason Zucker (3)
Assists Brian Connelly (27)
Points Brian Connelly (32)
Penalties in minutes Curt Gogol (170)
Plus/minus (+) Kris Foucault (+4)
(+) Jon Landry (+4)
(+) Carson McMillan (+4)
(–) Brian Connelly (–4)
(–) Tyler Graovac (–4)
Wins Darcy Kuemper (3)
Goals against average Johan Gustafsson (2.58)
< 2012–13 2014–15 >

The 2013–14 Iowa Wild season is the franchise's first season in the American Hockey League, which began on October 12, 2013. It marked the debut of the Iowa Wild after they replaced the Houston Aeros as the Minnesota Wild minor league affiliate. It marked a return of professional hockey to Des Moines, Iowa for the first time since the Iowa Chops last season in 2009.

Off-season

Team creation

The 2013–14 season marked the debut of the Iowa Wild, the new American Hockey League team associated with the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild. They replaced the Houston Aeros after that team failed to reach a new lease agreement with the Toyota Center in Houston and moved to Des Moines, Iowa.[1] It marks a return of professional hockey to Des Moines for the first time since the Iowa Chops were relocated to Cedar Park, Texas and renamed the Texas Stars.[2] The Minnesota Wild praised the new arrangement, particularly due to Des Moines' close proximity to the team in Saint Paul, Minnesota.[3][4] The team had four months to get the new franchise started for the season, a process that normally takes about a year.[5] They had hoped to sell 1,300 season tickets during the off-season, but surpassed that goal by 200 seats.[6]

Iowa was placed in the Midwest Division during an AHL realignment over the summer; the Houston Aeros had previously been in the South Division, which was renamed the West Division for 2013–14.[7] The Minnesota Wild organization also renewed its association with Central Hockey League's Quad City Mallards during the off-season.[4] Kurt Kleinendorst was named Iowa Wild's first head coach, replacing former Houston Aeros coach John Torchetti, who left for the Kontinental Hockey League.[3] Iowa Wild General Manager Jim Mill previously played for Kleinendorst in 1992 in the then-East Coast Hockey League's Raleigh IceCaps.[8] Mark Pierce, a public address announcer with the Iowa Cubs minor league baseball team who had also previously worked for the Iowa Chops, was hired as public address announcer for the Iowa Wild as well.[9]

Roster changes and preseason games

While several players from last year's Houston Aeros roster remained with the Wild, the team also saw several departures, including forwards Stéphane Veilleux,[10] David McIntyre,[11] Josh Caron, Nick Petersen; defensemen Kyle Medvec, Sean Lorenz,[12] Paul Mara, Marco Scandella and Drew Bagnall, the former team captain.[11] Newcomers to the team included forwards Tyler Graovac,[13] Taylor Matson,[14] Dave Steckel,[15] Warren Peters,[11] and Raphael Bussieres; defensemen Corbin Baldwin[16] defensemen Jonathon Blum and Jon Landry; and goaltender Johan Gustafsson.[17] The team also re-signed defenseman Tyler Cuma.[18] Forwards Jason Zucker and Carson McMillan both briefly played for the Minnesota Wild in early October, but were sent back down to Iowa before the start of their season.[19]

Iowa played and won a pair of preseason exhibition games, both of which were determined in overtime. In the first, a 4–3 victory over the Chicago Wolves, the Wild came back after trailing 3–1 to tie the game, and Matson scored the game-winner 21 seconds into overtime.[20] Iowa won the preseason finale 2–1 against the Milwaukee Admirals after forward Zack Phillips scored a power play goal with less than a minute of overtime left.[21] Iowa center Charlie Coyle would miss the first 12 games of the regular season due to a sprained knee.[22]

2013–14 Preseason Game Log: 1–0–0–0
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Record
1 September 27 Iowa 4–3 Chicago OT Guggenberger 1–0–0–0
2 October 4 Milwaukee 1–2 Iowa OT Kuemper 2–0–0–0

Regular season

October

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper was recalled to Minnesota on two separate occasions over the first two weeks of Iowa's season to serve as back-up goalie after Niklas Backstrom suffered a knee injury.[23][24] The Iowa Wild won their season opener with a 1–0 shutout over the Oklahoma City Barons on October 12 before a crowd of 10,213, the largest hockey crowd for an ice hockey season opener in Des Moines, surpassing the previous record of 8,903 for the Iowa Stars in 2005.[9] It was also the largest crowd to attend an AHL game at that point in the season so far.[25] Gustafsson made 27 saves, and Brett Bulmer scored the team's first ever goal, with assists from Zucker and Chad Rau.[9] The Wild lost 4–2 to the Barons the next day, with Oklahoma City scoring two power play goals within 46 seconds after Zucker got a 10-minute match penalty for an illegal check to the head against Linus Omark, a move that got Zucker suspended for two games.[26][27]

Iowa next won a two-game sweep of the Charlotte Checkers on October 19 and 20, with Gustafsson making 33 saves in the first game, and Graovac scoring the franchise's first power play goal, with assists by Blum and rookie winger Erik Haula.[28] The game marked Gustafsson's second win in two games, bringing his save percentage to .984. Haula, McMillian and Phillips led the team with four points each over the team's first four games, combining for five goals and seven assists. The Wild next played in five home games,[29] starting with a 5–4 shootout victory over the Chicago Wolves on October 24. Haula, Matson, McMillian and Phillips each scored on the shootout.[30] Iowa started a four-game homestead with a 3–2 loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins after giving up the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation. They failed to score on seven power play opportunities, giving the team a 0-for-14 power play record in their four October home games. After going their first six games without one, center Jake Dowell was named Iowa Wild's first team captain.[31]

November

After struggling on the power play last month, Iowa scored three power play goals in their 4–2 win over the Texas Stars, with two coming from Haula. Kleinendorst said the team had attempted a simlper approach to the man advantage.[31] The Wild lost their next two games, starting with a 5–0 loss to Texas on November 2, the team's first shutout loss, despite Kuemper making 44 saves.[32] McMillian was recalled to the Minnesota Wild on November 3,[22] the same day as against the Milwaukee Admirals in a peanlty-heavy game that resulted in the issuance of 64 total penalty minutes.[33]

Schedule and results

2013–14 Game Log – Regular season
November: 1–2–0–0 (Home: 1–2–0–0 ; Road: 0–0–0–0)
# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Gamesheet
7 November 1 Texas 2–4 Iowa Kuemper 5,609 5–2–0–0 12 Gamesheet
8 November 2 Texas 5–0 Iowa Kuemper 7,514 5–3–0–0 12 Gamesheet
9 November 3 Milwaukee 5–2 Iowa Gustafsson 3,042 5–4–0–0 12 Gamesheet
10 November 8 Iowa Rockford
11 November 9 Iowa Rockford
12 November 13 Chicago Iowa
13 November 15 San Antonio Iowa
14 November 16 Milwaukee Iowa
15 November 22 Grand Rapids Iowa
16 November 23 Abbotsford Iowa
17 November 24 Abbotsford Iowa
18 November 27 Iowa Chicago

Legend:       Win (2 points)       Loss (0 points)       Overtime/shootout loss (1-point)

Milestones

Player Milestone Reached
Johan Gustafsson 1st AHL Game
1st AHL Win 		October 12, 2013[9]
Raphael Bussieres 1st AHL Game October 12, 2013[34][35]
Tyler Graovac 1st AHL Game October 12, 2013
Tyler Graovac 1st AHL Goal October 19, 2013[28]
Erik Haula 1st AHL Regular Season Goal October 20, 2013[36]
Steven Kampfer 100th AHL Game
1st AHL Win 		October 24, 2013[36]
Raphael Bussieres 1st AHL Goal October 24, 2013
Brian Connelly 300th AHL Game November 1, 2013[31]

Player statistics

Skaters

Note: GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
Updated as of November 7, 2013[37]

Regular Season
Player GP G A Pts +/- PIM
Haula, ErikErik Haula* 9 3 4 7 0 4
Zucker, JasonJason Zucker 7 3 3 6 -1 −1 16
McMillan, CarsonCarson McMillan‡ 7 2 4 6 4 2
Connelly, BrianBrian Connelly 9 0 6 6 -4 −4 4
Foucault, KrisKris Foucault 9 2 3 5 4 0
Phillips, ZachZach Phillips 9 2 3 5 -1 −1 0
Peters, WarrenWarren Peters 6 1 4 5 0 12
Kampfer, StevenSteven Kampfer 9 1 4 5 3 19
Dowell, JakeJake Dowell 9 2 2 4 0 16
Blum, JonathonJonathon Blum 9 0 4 4 0 0
Bulmer, BrettBrett Bulmer 8 3 0 3 2 6
Graovac, TylerTyler Graovac* 9 2 0 2 -4 −4 8
Matson, TaylorTaylor Matson 9 2 0 2 -2 −2 10
Steckel, DaveDave Steckel‡ 4 1 1 2 2 4
Bussieres, RaphaelRaphael Bussieres* 9 1 1 2 -2 −2 27
Rau, ChadChad Rau 8 0 2 2 1 0
Cuma, TylerTyler Cuma 9 0 2 2 2 2
Veilleux, StephaneStephane Veilleux 2 0 1 1 -2 −2 4
Landry, JonJon Landry 8 0 1 1 4 4
Medvec, KyleKyle Medvec 9 0 1 1 -2 −2 4
Baldwin, CorbinCorbin Baldwin 4 0 0 0 0 21

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining team. Stats reflect time with the team only.
‡Left the team mid-season
*Rookie

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time on Ice; W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; SV = Saves; SA = Shots Against; SV% = Save Percentage; SO = Shutouts; G = Goals; A = Assists; PIM = Penalty Minutes
Updated as of November 7, 2013[38]

Regular Season
Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SV SA SV% SO G A PIM
Gustafsson, JohanJohan Gustafsson 4 209:32 2 1 9 2.58 94 103 .913 0 0 0 0
Kuemper, DarcyDarcy Kuemper 6 331:43 3 3 16 2.89 173 189 .915 0 0 0 0
Totals 541:15 5 4 25 2.77 267 292 .914 0 0 0 0

‡Left the team mid-season
*Rookie

References

  1. ↑ Graff, Chad (April 19, 2013). "Minnesota Wild: AHL affiliate gets new home (Des Moines), name (Iowa Wild)". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Iowa Wild: First Hockey Game". WHO-DT. October 13, 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Graff, Chad (July 22, 2013). "Minnesota Wild hire Kurt Kleinendorst as Iowa coach". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Metcalf, Bobby (August 27, 2013). "Mallards team up with Wild". Quad-City Times. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Hockey Fever: Des Moines Ready for Wild". WHO-DT. October 11, 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  6. ↑ Prazan, Phil (October 13, 2013). "Hockey Returns to Des Moines". WOI-DT. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  7. ↑ Baldwin, Michael (July 11, 2013). "OKC Barons: Barons joined in West Division by Abbotsford Heat". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  8. ↑ Russo, Michael (July 22, 2013). "Kurt Kleinendorst named first Iowa Wild coach; Parise, Suter invited to U.S. camp, no Pominville". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Birch, Tommy (October 12, 2013). "Iowa Wild opener: New franchise feeds off record-breaking energy". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Wild Recalls Veilleux; Reassigns Two". Minnesota Wild. October 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Schmuck, Mikayla (October 2, 2013). "Stepping Up: Leadership Roles on the Iowa Wild". The Hockey Writers. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Houston Assigns Five to Solar Bears". Orlando Solar Bears. October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  13. ↑ Birch, Tommy (October 2, 2013). "Iowa Wild scrimmage serves fans more than players". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Taylor Matson (F)". American Hockey League. October 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  15. ↑ Russo, Michael (September 28, 2013). "Dowell, Steckel among Wild roster moves". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  16. ↑ Wetmore, Derek (September 24, 2013). "Erik Haula, Darcy Kuemper among cuts as Wild trim camp roster to 28". KSTP. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  17. ↑ Russo, Michael (September 26, 2013). "Wild notes: Kuemper must be ready, will get most of the work in Iowa". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Wild Re-Signs Cuma". Minnesota Wild. July 30, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  19. ↑ Birch, Tommy (October 9, 2013). "Iowa Wild players bond on their way back to Des Moines". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Hockey: Iowa Wild erase deficit to win preseason opener in overtime". The Des Moines Register. September 27, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  21. ↑ Metcalf, Bobby (October 4, 2013). "Iowa Wild win exhibition game at iWireless Center". Quad-City Times. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Blount, Rachel (November 3, 2013). "Wild practice: Coyle out tonight, McMillan in". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  23. ↑ Wetmore, Derek (October 10, 2013). "As Niklas Backstrom deals with knee, Wild recalls goalie Darcy Kuemper". KSTP. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Wild reassigns Kuemper". KDUZ. October 13, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  25. ↑ Wheater, Erik (October 13, 2013). "Great Start: Iowa Wild Builds Fan Base". WHO-DT. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  26. ↑ Kopatich, Bill (October 13, 2013). "Hockey: 'Desperate' Barons hand Iowa Wild their first setback". The Times. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  27. ↑ Birch, Tommy (October 15, 2013). "Video: The hit that got Iowa Wild player suspended". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Wild goalie's 33 saves lift team to road victory". The Des Moines Register. October 19, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  29. ↑ Case, Dakota (October 24, 2013). "A Day On The Farm – Iowa Wild Making Noise In Inaugural Season". Gone Puck Wild. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Wolves drop first shootout of season". Chicago Tribune. October 24, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Lawhon, Danny (November 2, 2013). "Hockey: Iowa Wild waste no time solving power-play ills". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  32. ↑ "York shines as Stars win big". Austin American-Statesman. November 2, 2013. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  33. ↑ "ckey: Iowa Wild undone by dominant Milwaukee third period". The Des Moines Register. November 3, 2013. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Raphael Bussieres (F)". American Hockey League. October 2013. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Gamesheet: Oklahoma City at Iowa". American Hockey League. October 12, 2013. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Game Preview - Chicago At Iowa". Iowa Wild. October 24, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Skaters – 2013–2014 Regular Season – Iowa Wild". American Hockey League. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Goalies – 2013–14 Regular Season – Iowa Wild". American Hockey League. Retrieved November 7, 2013.

External links

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