Following a name change to the USHL, the Des Moines Oak Leafs were announced as the newest minor league team to to come to Iowa, beginning in 1961. The Oak Leafs played their games at the Des Moines Ice Arena, but their stay in the USHL was short, as they moved to the IHL before 1964. Eight years later, the Oak Leafs were renamed the Des Moines Capitols and remained in operation until 1975.
It was in 1980 that hockey became a true staple in the market, with the arrival of the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers. To this day, the Bucs call the Iowa capital home; in their 38 years of existence, the Buccaneers have had numerous players move on to the collegiate level and the NHL. Most recently, Wild defenseman Nick Seeler spent the 2011-2012 season in a Buccaneers jersey before moving on to play for the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Minnesota.
In addition to the Buccaneers, the state of Iowa is considered the heart of the USHL, a Tier I junior league that helps to produce dozens of collegiate and NHL draft picks each year. Franchises in Sioux City, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and Dubuque all have loyal, passionate fan bases who pack their local arenas on winter nights to support their teams.
In 2005, professional hockey made its way back to Des Moines when the Iowa Stars were founded, named after the previous Iowa Stars (1969-70) and played in the AHL's Western Division. The Stars signed a five-year affiliate agreement with the NHL's Dallas Stars, but following the 2008 season, Dallas announced it would no longer be affiliated with the club.
The Iowa Stars remained in existence, however, becoming the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, but were renamed the Iowa Chops. Just 10 months later, the Ducks announced they were dropping their affiliation.
For three years, Des Moines was without an AHL team, but in 2013, it became a pro hockey city once again, when the Wild moved its affiliate club from Houston to Iowa, shifting its whole hockey operation much closer to home.
The Wild affiliates' inaugural season opened on Oct. 12, 2013 with a 1-0 win against the Oklahoma City Barons. The most recent incarnation of pro hockey in Des Moines has been an unquestioned success, as last summer, it was announced Minnesota had extended its contact with Iowa through 2023 season, ensuring the AHL will remain in central Iowa for years to come.
Related:
- Iowa Wild benefits from state's under-the-radar hockey tradition
- A season for the record books in Iowa
- Wild to play preseason game in Iowa
