Iowa has a new Hockey Team

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
by Justin

Iowa’s American Hockey League team will now be called the Iowa Chops, the team announced this afternoon.

The team’s new logo is a vicious boar’s head and the new colors are crimson, grey and black, designed to depict the tougher style of hockey coming to Iowa, according to a team release.
Iowa is now affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks, who are known for their physical style of play.

“We really feel this name perfectly represents our vision of the new team,” team owner Kirby Schlegel, CEO of Schlegel Sports, said in a statement. “It illustrates Iowa’s agricultural heritage while also playing into the definition of chops, having nerve, resilience and staying power.

“The word chops can mean continually defeating someone, and that is the reputation we expect Iowa’s new team to gain in the league.”

Iowa ended its three-year affiliation with the Dallas Stars in late April.

The team, formerly known as the Iowa Stars, started playing in the AHL with the 2005-06 season.

Team owners wanted to rebrand the team with a nickname and logo that had an Iowa connection.

“We wanted a name that would catch people’s attention and spark discussion, not just in Iowa but nationally as well,” team president Steve Nitzel said in a statement. “There is no doubt the name is unique. We’re confident that the team will continue to gain respect in this community and in the league for years to come.”

A secondary logo located on the shoulders of the players’ jerseys will be an outline of the state of Iowa with the letter “I” in the center.
Iowa and Anaheim plan to announce who will coach the Chops later this summer.

Bob Murray, Anaheim’s senior vice president of hockey operations, will serve as Iowa’s general manager and be based in Chicago. Former Des Moines Buccaneers coach Bob Ferguson was named Iowa’s assistant general manager Tuesday and will live in the Des Moines area.

The Chops’ regular-season home opener is scheduled for Oct. 10 at Wells Fargo Arena.

(provided by The Des Moines Register)