Iowa Wild Need To Hire New Head Coach…

The Iowa Wild, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, find themselves at a pivotal crossroads as they begin the search for a new head coach ahead of the 2025–26 season.

The coaching vacancy comes after the departure of former head coach Brett McLean, who led the team for two seasons. Under his leadership, the Wild made strides in player development and remained competitive in the Central Division. However, McLean was recently promoted to an assistant coaching role with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, a move seen as a testament to his success in Des Moines.

A Crucial Hire for Player Development

The head coaching role in Iowa is more than just a bench job—it’s a critical position for shaping the future of the Minnesota Wild organization. As the primary development ground for prospects, the Iowa Wild rely heavily on a coach who can balance competitive performance with grooming young talent for the NHL. The next hire will need to be equally adept at developing prospects and navigating the intense, physically demanding AHL schedule.

With top prospects such as Charlie Stramel, David Spacek, and Jesper Wallstedt expected to play key roles in Iowa this coming season, the Wild front office is likely seeking a coach with a strong track record in both player development and tactical innovation.

Who’s on the Shortlist?

While the organization has not released an official list of candidates, early speculation has focused on a few key names. Former AHL coaches with NHL experience, assistant coaches from other NHL systems, and even successful NCAA head coaches could be in the mix.

Among the rumored possibilities are:

• Mark Osiecki – A seasoned AHL assistant and former head coach at the University of Wisconsin, known for his defensive acumen.
• Derek Lalonde – If released from his current NHL duties, he’s a familiar face to the Wild system and respected within development circles.
• Pascal Vincent – Recently linked to several coaching vacancies, his experience in both the AHL and NHL could bring the perfect balance of structure and innovation.

Timing Is Key

With the AHL offseason in full swing and NHL development camps just weeks away, time is of the essence. Naming a new head coach quickly will allow the incoming hire to work closely with the front office on roster decisions, training plans, and prospect management before fall training camp.

The Iowa Wild fan base will be watching closely, as will the Minnesota Wild’s front office. With an increasingly competitive Central Division and pressure to continue producing NHL-ready talent, this coaching hire could have long-term implications for both franchises.