Heartlanders Continue to Build Big with Signing of Blueliner Wells
Published on August 9, 2022 under ECHL (ECHL)
Iowa Heartlanders News Release
Coralville, Iowa - The Iowa Heartlanders, proud ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, announced Tuesday defenseman Justin Wells has agreed to an ECHL contract with the Heartlanders. This is Wells' first professional deal. The North Canton, OH native stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 201 pounds.
The team has signed six defensemen and the average height of a Heartlanders defenseman is 6-foot-3.
Wells played four years collegiately at Bowling Green (2017-21) and completed his NCAA career at Boston College in 2021-22.
2022-23 Roster
Forwards (7): Zach White, Yuki Miura, Jake Smith, Cole Stallard, Josh Koepplinger, Alec Broetzman, C.J. Yakimowicz
Defensemen (6): Riese Zmolek, Ryan Wheeler, Jake Stevens, Connor Russell, T.J. Fergus, Justin Wells
Goaltenders (1): Corbin Kaczperski
Justin Wells: "Iowa seems like an amazing place to play hockey. It's important to go somewhere where you're valued and Coach Derek Damon expressed a lot of interest right away with his plans for the season. From what I've seen the arena and the area is just top notch and it made me excited to come to the Heartlanders."
Head Coach & General Manager Derek Damon: "Justin is a solid addition for our blue line in a number of ways and fits with the brand of hockey we are trying to play this season. First off, he brings an element of size that we knew we needed to expand on from our team last season. He also moves the puck well and skates at a professional pace. We're excited Justin has decided to start his development path in Iowa and are thrilled to welcome him to the Heartland in October."
At Boston College in 2021-22, Wells registered three assists in 37 games. In 170 NCAA games, Wells generated a plus-21 rating and 24 points (4g). The left-handed shot helped Bowling Green qualify for the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Prior to NCAA, Wells played two seasons for Sioux Falls (USHL) from 2015-17 and youth hockey for the Cleveland Barons (T1EHL).
ECHL Stories from August 9, 2022
- Ghost Pirates Agree to Terms with Goaltender Darion Hanson - Savannah Ghost Pirates
- Steelheads Bring Back Misiak, Timmons, Thomas for 2022-23 Season - Idaho Steelheads
- Stingrays Bring Back Forward Nick Isaacson - South Carolina Stingrays
- Americans Trade for Top-Line Forward - Allen Americans
- Goaltender Sakellaropoulus Signs with Gladiators - Atlanta Gladiators
- Blades Acquire Nolan Kneen from Allen Americans - Florida Everblades
- Indy Fuel Re-Signs Forward Bryan Lemos - Indy Fuel
- Kyle Betts Returns to Grizzlies for 2022-2023 Season - Utah Grizzlies
- Admirals Sign Second Year Forward Kaplan - Norfolk Admirals
- Americans Welcome Back Rookie from the 2021-2022 Season - Allen Americans
- Heartlanders Continue to Build Big with Signing of Blueliner Wells - Iowa Heartlanders
- Mavericks Sign Forward Cole Coskey - Kansas City Mavericks
- Everblades Agree to Terms with Trio from Miami University of Ohio - Florida Everblades
- Swamp Rabbits Announce 2022-23 Promotional Schedule - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
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