Forward Yuki Miura named Captain

Calverley, Blachman and Raabe get the nod as alternate captains

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders have named forward Yuki Miura the fourth captain in Heartlanders history, the team announced Wednesday. Forwards Will Calverley, Nico Blachman and Dakota Raabe have been donned alternate captains. 

The Heartlanders start the season Friday at 7:00 p.m. vs. the Fort Wayne Komets at Xtream Arena. Open Season Weekend continues Oct. 19 at 6:00 p.m. 

Get tickets for Open Season Weekend here!

Open Season Weekend Oct. 19: Be there Sat., Oct. 19^th at 6:00 p.m. for the conclusion of Open Season Weekend, against Fort Wayne Komets, pres. by GreenState Credit Union. The first pregame tailgate of the season starts at 3:00 p.m. in the Iowa River Landing, featuring local food & drink vendors, inflatables, a DJ, and a meet the team event. Don’t miss the LED light-up rally towel giveaway!

Heartlanders Captain history
2021-22: Forward Kris Bennett
2022-23: Defenseman Riese Zmolek
2023-24: Defenseman Kevin McKernan
2024-25: Forward Yuki Miura

This is Miura’s first time wearing the “C” in his professional career. He was an alternate captain with Iowa the last two seasons. In addition to his role as a player on the ice, Miura has taken an active approach in our community, spending his free time giving back to eastern Iowa. A Toyko, Japan native, Miura is the first Japanese-born player to ever captain an ECHL team.

Miura, 28, has skated with the Heartlanders all four seasons of the team’s history. For his career, he’s posted 33 goals and 84 points in 184 games.

Calverley is entering his second season with Iowa. He won the 2023 Kelly Cup with the Florida Everblades. Last season, the Scarborough, ON native tallied eight goals and 21 points. 

Blachman is starting his fourth professional season. Last year, he skated in 13 games with Iowa to end the regular season (69 PIM). 

Raabe combined to score seven goals and 21 points (45 games) in his time split between the Heartlanders and Utah Grizzlies last season. The Capistrano Beach, CA native spent most of his first two professional seasons with Utah before the Heartlanders acquired him last season. 

 

You may have heard we made some big news in our final game of the 2023-24 season – our first-ever sellout in team history! That game featured a pre-game tailgate and fireworks (literally and figuratively) inside Xtream Arena, and we are going to recreate that high-energy, 5-star fan experience at 5 specific games during the 2024-25 season. Join the fun of those 5 experiences by purchasing our new 5-Star Ticket Package.

Single-game tickets, mini-plans, group tickets, flex tickets and season-ticket plans are available! Call 319-855-1775 to discuss options, or visit this link to make your plans for the 2024-25 season! 

Follow Iowa Heartlanders social media (@goheartlanders) and don’t miss any of the excitement. Sign up here to be notified by text message for team news and updates ahead of the start of the 2024-25 season.