The ECHL's Iowa Heartlanders have voluntarily suspended play for the 2026-27 season and will re-evaluate their business to see if they can continue to play in the ECHL in the future. Even with a modern Xtream Arena that opened in 2020, attendance has been poor for pro hockey in the Coralville-Iowa City area. So what comes next? There hasn't been evidence that the University of Iowa is genuinely interested in starting an NCAA D1 hockey program at Xtream Arena. Continuing in the ECHL for the Heartlanders likely doesn't make sense. What may make sense for the region and the arena is placing a junior USHL franchise in Xtream Arena. There are currently five Iowa franchises in America's top junior hockey league and a franchise in Coralville-Iowa City may have a chance for success, with built-in regional rivalries and the fact the USHL features players on their way to NCAA D1 and the NHL. The current ownership of the Iowa Heartlanders would be smart to look at transitioning their operation to the USHL and move their ECHL franchise rights elsewhere. News on the Heartlanders voluntary suspension from the ECHL is here.
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