Patrick WilliamsFeatures Writer for TheAHL.com
The 2023-24 season for the Iowa Wild wrapped up more than three months ago, with a 3-2 win in Chicago to go 3-0-0-1 – a perfect end to a season that saw the club miss the Calder Cup Playoffs. seventh in nine attempts.
Since then, the parent Minnesota Wild has been busy.
On May 15, Matt Hendricks has been named the new general manager of the Iowa club. Hendricks, who has served as the Wild’s assistant director of player development since 2019, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of hockey in Des Moines. The 43-year-old from Minnesota played five seasons in the AHL before racking up 607 games in the NHL skating for the Avalanche, Capitals, Predators, Oilers, Jets and Wild.
On June 21st came a trade with the New Jersey Devils that brought the AHL All-Star forward Graeme Clarke to the organization to be forwarded Adam Beckman. The move represents a fresh start for the 23-year-old Clarke, who made his NHL debut last season and is coming off 25 consecutive seasons with Utica. If he doesn’t stick in Minnesota, then Iowa could use that kind of production after finishing 31st in the AHL in scoring in 2023-24.
Iowa’s coaching staff also got a new look there Nathan McIver he was hired as an assistant on July 9. McIver, a longtime shutout defenseman with an 11-year career that included 508 games in the AHL, entered coaching after retiring in 2016 and spent last season with the Belleville Senators. To the head coach Brett McLeanstaff, will be tasked with guiding a young Iowa blue line that could once again produce prospects Carson Lambos, The Daemon Hunt, Ryan O’Rourke again David Spacekamong others.
Hendricks doesn’t hold back on his new writing. While there is authority to issue future job prospects in Minnesota, the organization is looking to place the winner in Iowa. As free agency opened earlier this month, several older players were brought in on two-way NHL deals to provide much-needed depth.
On the net there is Troy Grosenickwho spent last season teaching Yaroslav Askarov in Milwaukee and could end up with a similar finish Jesper Wallstedt and Nation. On defense, the Wild added information on Joseph Cecconi again Cam Crotty. And up front, there should be plenty of competition for jobs in Minnesota, either in training camp or during the season when recall opportunities arise. Brendan Gaunce has signed a two-year contract with the Wild after captaining the Cleveland Monsters to the conference finals in 2023-24. Devin Shore is trying to get back to an NHL roster spot after splitting this past season between Seattle and the Coachella Valley. Ben Jones scored 21 goals for the Calgary Wranglers last season. Reese Johnson again Travis Boyd joined the organization on a two-way contract after spending all of 2023-24 in the NHL.
During his playing days, Hendricks made a name for himself as a top-dressing center at the AHL and NHL levels. If any of those veterans stay with Iowa, they could provide the kind of leadership the youth needs. They also raise the bar for everyone competing for the job, and will help alleviate some of the burden placed on prospects trying to learn the pro game.
Fighting for a job in Minnesota. If that doesn’t work out quickly, go to Iowa, help the prospects, and win some games.
“I think players driving, getting their chance, is important,” Hendricks said. “But I strongly believe that this is a developing league. Patience is very important for our little hopes.”
Hendricks, who was selected by Nashville in the fifth round of 2000, played for six different AHL clubs before reaching the National Hockey League. For all those incoming additions hoping to win playing time with Minnesota, you know exactly what the battle is like. He didn’t become an NHL regular until he was 28.
All those faces, be it young prospects or old veterans, have an example in front of them that there is always hope.
“Every player’s timeline is different,” Hendricks said. “There is no fast forward button.”
TheAHL.com features writer Patrick Williams has covered the American Hockey League for nearly two decades at outlets including NHL.com, Sportsnet, TSN, Hockey News, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and SLAM ! Sports, and most recently was the host of The Hockey News On The ‘A’ podcast. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for the league’s top scorer in 2016.
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