09/17/20
Professional hockey is coming to Coralville.
At Thursday afternoon’s ribbon cutting ceremony opening the Xtream Arena powered by Mediacom, City Administrator Kelly Hayworth announced that the ECHL will be putting an affiliate there starting next fall.
The ECHL is a mid-level professional hockey league with franchises scattered across the United States, and two franchises in Canada. The closest affiliates to Coralville include Wichita and Indianapolis. The league members are farm clubs for National Hockey League franchises.
Coralville Mayor John Lundell tells KCJJ that the ECHL is the equivalent of AA baseball for the Major Leagues. He says no name or branding has been decided on yet for the Coralville team, but indicated that the public will have a say in the team name.
The Xtream Arena will also host University of Iowa volleyball and the All Iowa Attack basketball academy. Concerts, conventions and other events will eventually be scheduled.