Iowa Chops
| Iowa Stars | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Des Moines, Iowa |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Operated | 2005–2009 |
| Home arena | Wells Fargo Arena |
| Colors | Black, crimson, grey, white |
| Affiliates |
Dallas Stars (2005–2008) Anaheim Ducks (2008–2009) |
| Franchise history | |
| 1999–2001 | Louisville Panthers |
| 2005–2008 | Iowa Stars |
| 2008–2009 | Iowa Chops |
| 2009–present | Texas Stars |
The Iowa Stars, later known as the Iowa Chops, were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The club was based in Des Moines, Iowa at the Wells Fargo Arena.
The Stars were founded by Howard Baldwin, of Hockey Holdings & Management Group, and Dallas businessman Bob Schlegel, who took the dormant Louisville Panthers AHL franchise and resurrected it for the 2005–06 season as the Iowa Stars (the same name as an earlier team in 1969-70 in the Central Hockey League). They had a five-year affiliation agreement with the Dallas Stars and a one-year agreement with the Anaheim Ducks.
In their inaugural season, the Stars made it to the Calder Cup playoffs first round, where they were defeated by the Milwaukee Admirals. The Stars won their first playoff series the following season, defeating the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights in six games.
In February 2008, the Dallas Stars announced they would be affiliating with the future Texas Stars pending the 2009 completion of the Cedar Park Entertainment Center in Cedar Park, Texas. After the 2007-08 season the Dallas Stars left the Iowa scene, and the Anaheim Ducks announced an affiliation with the team.
On July 9, 2008, the team unveiled its new name and logo, featuring a "vicious boar’s head in the team colors of crimson, grey and black".
Portland Pirates assistant Gord Dineen was named head coach of the Iowa Chops on August 19, 2008.
On May 9, 2009, the Anaheim Ducks dropped their affiliation with the Iowa Chops, leaving Iowa to look for their third NHL affiliate in four seasons.
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