Wild announces multi-year ECHL affiliation agreement

The Minnesota Wild of the NHL have announced a multi-year ECHL affiliation agreement with the Jacksonville Icemen beginning with the 2026-27 season.

Under this affiliation agreement, the Icemen will serve as a resource for the development efforts and personnel needs of both the Iowa and Minnesota Wild. The agreement allows Wild prospects to be assigned to the Icemen for developmental purposes throughout the season. Minnesota's primary development affiliate remains the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Minnesota Executive Vice President and General Manager Bill Guerin said this latest development will only strengthen the Minnesota organization.

"We are thrilled to announce a new ECHL affiliation agreement with the Jacksonville Icemen," Guerin said per an NHL release. "This affiliation strengthens our commitment to developing players at every level while expanding the reach of our organization to an exciting and growing market."

Jacksonville Icemen enter agreement with Minnesota Wild

The Jacksonville Icemen began play in the 2017-18 season and were previously affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Americans (AHL). 

"We are excited to enter into this affiliation agreement with the Minnesota Wild and its AHL affiliate the Iowa Wild," said VP of Hockey Operations of Zawyer Sports & Entertainment Joe Ernst. "This is a great opportunity to build a collaborative relationship that benefits our teams, our players, and hockey fans in Minnesota, Iowa and Jacksonville.”

Zawyer Sports currently owns the Icemen, and they play at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, which is a 15,000 seat venue which was completed in November 2003. It has led the ECHL in sellouts over the last four seasons.

The Iowa Wild were founded in 2013 and are based in Des Moines, Iowa and play in the AHL’s Western Conference. The Wild AHL franchise was formerly the Houston Aeros in Houston, Texas, before relocating to Des Moines before the 2013-14 season and becoming the Iowa Wild.

Noteworthy alumni include Gerald Mayhew, Marco Rossi, Joel Eriksson Ek, Matt Boldy, Kyle Rau and Sam Anas.

The Minnesota Wild made their first Stanley Cup playoffs appearance in 2003 and have appeared in the playoffs a total of 14 times. The Wild have won one division championship, in 2008. Their most recent season came to an end in Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche — falling 4-3 in overtime and losing their second-round series, 4-1.

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