Overview
- Stu Bickel was announced as the Iowa Wild’s head coach on Monday and will take over a team that has missed the AHL playoffs three straight seasons.
- Bickel spent five seasons as an AHL assistant, reaching the Calder Cup Playoffs each year and appearing in three straight Calder Cup Finals from 2022 to 2024.
- His coaching resume also includes two seasons as an assistant at the University of Minnesota and a season as head coach and assistant GM of the Minnesota Magicians in the NAHL.
- Iowa general manager Matt Hendricks cited Bickel’s ties to Iowa and Minnesota as a cultural fit, noting the hire replaces Greg Cronin who left for the St. Louis Blues’ staff.
- The organization will judge Bickel on both on-ice results and producing NHL-ready call-ups for Minnesota, a priority as the parent club pushes for a deep Stanley Cup run.