Iowa Heartlanders defenseman Andrew McLean and the team are preparing for a three-game home series against the Kalamazoo Wings.
The Heartlanders are home three times this weekend Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 against the Kalamazoo Wings. Friday at 7:00 p.m. is Educator Appreciation Night, presented by MidWestOne Bank. Saturday at 6:00 p.m. is Women in Sports Night, presented by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission. The Heartlanders host the Wings Sunday at 3:00 p.m. with $2 hot dogs, $2 small bags of popcorn and $2 fountain sodas (12 OZ). Join the team on the ice after Sunday's game for a postgame skate, pres. by the Family Dental Center.
Since being acquired from the Norfolk Admirals early this season, McLean has scored 15 points and registered a team-best +19 rating. He caught up with Dir. Of Communications David Fine to chat about his first few months with the Heartlanders.
David Fine: How connected does this team feel?
McLean: It’s incredible. I came from a team last year [Norfolk] where I thought we were connected and we were close, but when I got here, everyone welcomed me with open arms. I realized this year, our team this year is even closer than the one I had last year. It’s nice you go into the room and everyone is your brother. No matter what you need, everyone is always there offering anything you need.
DF: What have you seen about the team’s commitment this year?
McLean: I think it stems from how we want to learn, everyone is always asking the coaches questions on how to get better. Once you get that mindset of wanting to learn all the time, it carries over to games and the next thing you know, we’re all helping each other out, we’re always picking each other up and sometimes things happen where you have a turnover and it ends up in the back of your net but its not the end of the world, we know that when we get back to the bench, we’ll pick each other up and we’ll go out there and we’ll get a goal.
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DF: The Heartlanders have set the team record for fewest shots allowed in a game three times this year. How hard it is to limit a team to 15-20 shots in some of these games?
McLean: Yeah, it’s extremely hard. It goes to show you how committed we are as a team and how defensively sound we are. If you’re only allowing 15 shots a game there’s no way you’re not winning that. Between great goaltending, great defense from both the forwards and the defensemen, the odds are in your favor no matter what.
DF: Let’s talk a bit about how you got here this year. You started the year with the Norfolk Admirals, it was going to be your second full year with them, but you got traded right after opening weekend. What did you think when you found out you were getting traded?
McLean: I got escorted to the coach’s room in Norfolk and they told me I was getting traded. Coach Damon called me and right off the bat and there was a connection. I’m not used to that, I’ve never connected that well with a coach before, we were having very personal conversations. He was happy, he wanted me to come here and I knew I had to get here as soon as possible. He asked me if I could get there as soon as I could, so I did that. But as soon as I walked in– it’s insane. I’m not used to this treatment, not used to how amazing the coaching staff are, it took me for a loop. I had no idea about Iowa, but I showed up and it’s like an AHL organization. I couldn’t be happier being here, I love it.
DF: And you’re closer to home now? You’re from Waterford, Michigan, five, six hours from here?
McLean: Yeah, it’s like six and a half with the time change. But for the first time, my mom was able to come out for Thanksgiving with me, so that was amazing. It’s been an amazing change for me, the adaptation has been incredible.
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DF: You mentioned that you were really excited when you talked to Derek, you said you’ve been treated well since you got here, but when you talk about what that first conversation was like, do you remember anything that he said to you?
McLean: He told me they were very excited to get a player like me and how much they looked to me and wanted me to bring some of my talents here, get the team going, he was talking about the organization. I remember I got off the phone ready to run through a brick wall, like I’m gonna run there, let's go. I ordered an uber 20 minutes later and I was on my way to my place, packed up within 30 minutes and I was on the road.
Starting in January, grab $10 online youth tickets to any Heartlanders home game! Purchase 1 regular-priced ticket and get $10 online youth tickets (age 17 and under) to any seating section (excluding glass/premium seats).
January 31st at 7:00 p.m.: Educator Appreciation Night, pres. by MidWestOne Bank
Celebrate our amazing educators at the Iowa Heartlanders Educator Appreciation Night, presented by MidWestOne Bank, where we'll honor teachers with special recognitions and exciting surprises!
This will be a night of fun-filled activities and heartfelt tributes to the incredible educators who inspire and shape our future.
February 1st at 6:00 p.m.: Women in Sports Night, pres. by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission
Join us for Women in Sports Night, presented by the Iowa City Area Sports Commission, celebrating the incredible achievements and inspiring stories of female athletes, coaches and women working for sports teams! Want to learn more about the basics of hockey? We have a plan for you! From 2:00-3:00 p.m. we are hosting a special Hockey 101 session, featuring the Heartlanders AND two special guests from the PWHL’s Minnesota Frost: Mellissa Channell-Watkins and Sophie Jacques.
February 2nd at 3:00 p.m. vs. Kalamazoo: Postgame skate pres. by The Family Dental Center.
The Heartlanders wrap up a three-game homestand against division foe Kalamazoo. Join us after the game for a postgame skate, pres. by The Family Dental Center.
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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!