Heartlanders build roster to be hardest working team on the ice [Video]

CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – Being relentless all over the ice is what head coach Derek Damon wants his Iowa Heartlanders team’s identity to be this season. He believes it starts with the players character.

“It’s our goal to be the hardest working team on the ice,” Damon said.

Ten players who spent time with the Iowa Heartlanders last season are back for year four.

“Too often last year we were outworked. For me, that’s not how we want to be. We’re setting a standard that you have to meet these expectations every day,” Damon said.

One of those returning players is Yuki Miura who has skated in all four season’s of the team’s history. Ahead of their season opener, Miura was named the team captain. He’s the first Japanese-born player to ever captain an ECHL team.

“That’s one thing Yuki brings is his work ethic every day and he’s got …