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Erne loving start to career in Coralville, and bringing high energy

Thursday, November 7th
Erne loving start to career in Coralville, and bringing high energy

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Coralville, Iowa – There is a certain joy you feel around a hockey rink, and Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Lincoln Erne encapsulates that daily. He’s rarely without a smile, and there’s always something to talk about. 

 

“I always tell people the only reason I play hockey is because I love it, it’s a kids’ game,” Erne said. “I’m lucky to be able to go to the rink and do what I love. Being loud is kind of my personality. As long as I’m talking and smiling and it looks like I’m having fun, you know I’m all good.” 

 

We were first greeted with this side in the opening week of the preseason. 

 

On the second day of Heartlanders practice, a Sunday, Erne came to the rink sporting his typical gear in support of his favorite NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings. 

 

“Vikings socks, Vikings zubaz, an undershirt that says ‘I survived the 33 point comeback’ against the Colts, a Justin Jefferson jersey and a Justin Jefferson hat. Ask anybody, family or friends, I wear that get up every Sunday or whenever the Vikes play.”

 

Minnesota won that day, 23-17, over the New York Jets – maybe there’s something to the tradition. 

 

When the Heartlanders hosted Media Day, Erne volunteered to help with a few Tik-Toks (see below). 

Erne’s high energy is part of the culture Head Coach Derek Damon envisions building to create long-term success: a committed, hard-working team that plays for each other on the ice, and a group off the ice that acts as a family. 

 

Erne, now 26 years old, thinks back fondly on his time growing up in his hometown Blaine, MN. His mom is a 4th grade teacher, and Erne recognizes his mother’s influence helped him and his sister learn about the importance of a strong education.

 

“I played baseball, football and hockey in high school, but I loved hockey the most for some reason,” Erne explained. “I liked baseball too, and I was good at it, but it was a love-hate relationship. There’s nothing like being in the sun with the boys, but when I was 0-for-3 it wasn’t as fun. Growing up I never thought about which one, I just went by the seasons. Football in the fall with some hockey. Winter was always about hockey. I played baseball in the spring, with some hockey. Thinking back, hockey was the only sport I did year-round, it was the only constant.” 

 

Erne found out he was drafted to the NAHL when he was coming back from Grand Rapids, MN on a baseball trip. 

 

“Winning is fun and competing is fun,” he said. “I just loved competing and winning in all three of those sports. Hockey was never the one I was far and away better at. I just worked hard, made one team, then did the same hard work to make the next team.”

 

After two seasons in junior hockey with Minot learning under former NHL-er Marty Murray, Erne accepted an offer to play college hockey at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, calling it a dream to be an NCAA Division I Athlete. 

 

Now in his second year in the ECHL, Erne continues to bring the energy and exuberance for a youthful team. 

 

“I feel good about where we are at and where we are going. We are a young team, and you want to win the right way, to learn how to close out games. We are going to continue to do the work that’s necessary to get better every day.” 

 

 

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