AHL Iowa Wild

Iowa Signs Finley and Eberle to AHL Contracts

October 8, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Wild News Release


DES MOINES, IA - Iowa Wild General Manager Brent Flahr on Thursday announced the American Hockey League (AHL) club has signed defenseman Joe Finley and forward Tanner Eberle to AHL contracts. The team also announced that goaltender Steven Michalek has been assigned to the Quad City Mallards - Iowa's ECHL affiliate.

Finley, 28 (6/29/87), is in his seventh pro season after playing in 54 AHL games with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2014-15. He was among the team leaders with 132 PIM and added three assists. For his AHL career, the 6-foot-7, 252-pounder has played in 184 games, scoring twice and setting up 15 others for 17 points. The Edina, MN native has 428 career AHL PIM. Finley was drafted in the first round (#27 overall) by the Washington Capitals in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Eberle, 21 (1/12/94) enters his first pro season after playing the last five in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors. Last season, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder played in 63 games, scoring 33 goals and adding 23 assists for 56 points, to go along with 99 penalty minutes. For his WHL career, the Regina, SK native played in 270 contests, posting 80 goals and 92 assists for 172 points. He turned pro at the end of the 2014-15 season, paying for both Bridgeport of the AHL and Allen of the ECHL. In six games with the AHL's Sound Tigers, Eberle was scoreless. In five games with the Americans, the forward posted two goals and four points.

Michalek, 22 (8/6/93), went 21-13-3 with a .924 save percentage (SV%), a 2.28 goals-against average (GAA) and three shutouts in 37 games for Harvard (ECAC) in 2014-15. The 6-foot-3, 197-pound native of Hartford, Conn., ranked second amongst conference goalies in saves, T-5th in SV% and ninth in GAA during the season, leading Harvard to the ECAC Championship title and a spot in the NCAA tournament. He totaled a 33-28-13 record with a 2.59 GAA, a .914 SV% and three shutouts in 79 games during three seasons with Harvard (2011-15). Michalek was originally selected by Minnesota in the sixth round (161st overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Saint Paul.

Iowa hosts Opening Night on Saturday, October 10th when the Charlotte Checkers come to town. The puck drops at 7 p.m. The Wild hosts a pregame tailgate party outside of Wells Fargo Arena from 4-6:30 p.m., celebrating the team's third season in Des Moines. The first 5,000 fans to the game receive an Iowa Wild Cling Schedule, presented by Hicklin Garage, KXNO 1460, and The Bus 100.3. The Wild also hosts Charlotte again on Sunday at 5 p.m. Sunday's game is Kid's Opening Night and the first 2,500 fans to the game receive an Iowa Wild poster schedule.

Fans may purchase single-game tickets multiple ways, either through the team's website - www.Iowawild.com, the Wells Fargo Arena box office or participating Hy-Vee food stores. Tickets are available online at www.Iowawild.com under the single game tickets tab. The Wells Fargo Arena box office is open Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday. For Saturday game days, the box office will open at 10 a.m. For Sunday game days the box office will open at 12 p.m. Fans may also purchase tickets by calling 1-844-55-HYVEE or by visiting participating Hy-Vee food stores locations in the greater Des Moines area. Those interested may also visit www.hy-veetix.com. Fans interested in buying full season, or smaller season packages may call the Iowa Wild front office at 515-564-8700.

The Iowa Wild 2015-16 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center, it runs from October through April. Fans may purchase seats to see any of the team's 38 regular season home games at Wells Fargo Arena. Season tickets to see the Wild play its 2015-16 season at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, including ticket plans and group seating, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com.

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