Heartlanders bring back Durflinger, add Stucker and Brinkman

Coralville, Iowa – Head Coach and General Manager Derek Damon announced that the Iowa Heartlanders have agreed to terms with forward Jake Durflinger and defensemen Robbie Stucker and Ben Brinkman on contracts for the 2023-24 season.Durflinger recorded 20 points (10g-10a) in 50 games as a rookie with Iowa after signing with the Heartlanders just after the start of the regular season. He was second on Iowa with 81 penalty minutes and had a strong offensive burst in the season’s final month, scoring seven goals between March 18 and April 7. Prior to turning pro, Durflinger played four years at Denver University (2017-21) before finishing his college career at Merrimack College (2021-22). He combined for 42 points (18g-24a) in 165 career NCAA games.Brinkman, 22, played four years at the University of Minnesota (2018-22) and his final NCAA season at Notre Dame (2022-23). He made the 2022 Frozen Four with Minnesota. Last season for the Fighting Irish, he contributed four points (2g-2a) and 20 penalty minutes. The Edina, Minnesota native captained Edina High School in 2018 and helped the team finish third at the Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament.  Stucker teamed up with Brinkman on the Golden Gophers’ blue line from 2018-21 and then skated his final two NCAA seasons at the University of Vermont (2021-23). He found an offensive touch for the Catamounts, tallying 29 points (7g-22a) over the last two seasons. He made his pro debut late last season with the South Carolina Stingrays, posting seven points (1g-6a) and a +9 rating in 10 games. The Chaska, Minnesota native won the 2018 Clark Cup with the United States Hockey League's Fargo Force.