Heartlanders bring three more returners back

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, signed defenseman Justin Wells, forward Austin Eastman and forward Justin Michaelian to ECHL contracts Tuesday.All three played for the Heartlanders last season. Wells (9a in 59 GP) spent the entire year on the Heartlanders roster, Michaelian (13 GP, 3a) signed in March after completing his NCAA career and Iowa acquired Eastman (3g in 3 GP) for the final week of the 2022-23 regular season.The Heartlanders have signed 23 players to ECHL contracts for this upcoming season.Iowa opens the 2023-24 season vs. the Rapid City Rush on Fri., Oct. 20 at 6:35 p.m. Single-game tickets to the Home Opener are now available. Season ticket memberships, mini-plans, partial plans and group tickets are available for the 2023-24 season by visiting iowaheartlanders.com/tickets and by calling 319-569-4625.2023-24 Roster (players signed to ECHL contracts)Forwards (13): Yuki Miura, Tanner MacMaster, Jesse Jacques, Mike Knaub, Davis Koch, Nick Campoli, Alec Broetzman, Odeen Tufto, Jake Durflinger, Liam Coughlin, Will Calverley, Austin Eastman, Justin MichaelianDefensemen (8): Kevin McKernan, Chris Lipe, Nolan Orzeck, Ben Brinkman, Robbie Stucker, Hunter Lellig, Jules Boscq, Justin WellsGoaltenders (2): Peyton Jones, Drew DeRidderNeed to knowWells joined the Heartlanders after a five-year NCAA career split between Bowling Green (2017-21) and Boston College (2022-23). He skated in at least 27 games each season and generated four career NCAA goals and 24 points. The North Canton, OH native is a left-handed shot.Eastman has been in the ECHL since January 2021 and has compiled seven goals and 19 points in 44 professional games. Following four years at Ontario Tech University, he signed his first ECHL deal with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The 5-foot-11, 185-lb., left-handed shot spent parts of three seasons in the QMJHL with Quebec, Gatineau and Victoriaville before his USports career at Ontario Tech.Michaelian skated in 13 games (3a) with Iowa last season. He played five NCAA seasons (2018-23) split between the University of Maine and Ferris State University. In his first four NCAA years at Ferris State, Michaelian scored 22 goals and 49 points. At Maine, the right-handed shot appeared in 20 games (1g, 4 pts.).