Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, signed defenseman Nolan Orzeck to an ECHL contract on Friday. Orzeck rejoins the Heartlanders after playing parts of two seasons with Iowa (2022-23 and 2023-24). He is Iowa’s all-time defenseman points leader (34) and is entering his fourth professional season.
Orzeck spent the first half of last season with ECHL Allen (24 GP, 2g, 7 pts.) before heading overseas to Finland to their top professional league Liiga.
2025-26 Heartlanders Roster
Forwards (13): Yuki Miura, Isaac Johnson, Jonny Sorenson, Jack O’Brien, Keltie Jeri-Leon, Matt Hubbarde, Luke Mobley, Adam Capannelli, Jaxon Nelson, Nathan Noel, Lucas Helland (try-out), Hunter Brackett (try-out), Devin Sanders (try-out)
Defensemen (6): Elliott McDermott, Jacob Arsenault, Lordanthony Grissom, Thomas Stewart, Carter Allen, Nolan Orzeck
Goaltenders (1): Dante Giannuzzi
Head Coach & General Manager Chuck Weber: “Nolan is a talented puck moving defenseman that’s excited to get back to Iowa and build on his rookie year. We are thrilled to welcome him back to the Heartlanders.”
Orzeck scored 34 points (6g) with Iowa in 2022-23, fourth on the team and best among team blueliners. From 2018-22, Orzeck skated in the WHL for Kootenay and Winnipeg. In 2021-22, he posted the best plus-minus in the WHL at +62 for Winnipeg.
For his ECHL career, the 5-foot-11, 180-lb., right-handed shot has tallied 13 goals and 68 points in 148 games.
Make sure you’re here: Single-game tickets and the team’s theme night schedule are now out for the 2025-26 season as the Heartlanders open the team’s fifth season at Xtream Arena on Friday, Oct. 17 vs. Tulsa.
Call 319-569-4625 or visit iowaheartlanders.com/tickets/ticket-plans to learn more about ticket package options or group ticket pricing for company outings, birthday parties or community groups of 10 or more.
For Corporate Partnerships call 319-855-1775 or info@iowaheartlanders.com. Align your business with the excitement of the Heartlanders coming off their best season yet. Partnerships can range from in-arena signage, such as dasherboards and video board advertisements, to digital and social media collaborations, reaching over 20,000 followers. Our team is eager to work with businesses to create tailored corporate partnership packages that meet specific marketing and business objectives.
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