Heartlanders bring back Lipe, add O'Brien

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders have agreed to contracts with defenseman Chris Lipe and forward Jack O’Brien for the 2024-25 season.

Lipe is preparing for his second professional season and returns to the Heartlanders after scoring seven points (3g-4a) in 66 games last season. A native of Rockford, Michigan, he made his pro debut with Iowa at the end of the 2022-23 season, recording two assists in seven games. Prior to turning pro, Lipe tallied 25 points (4g-21a) in 129 games. He also had 23 points (4g-19a) in 118 career games in the United States Hockey League with Des Moines and Dubuque.

O’Brien enters his first pro season after producing just under a point-per-game pace in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winterhawks the last two seasons with 103 points (34g-69a) in 126 games. The Denver, Colorado native was an alternate captain for Portland each of the last two seasons. In 2023-24, he registered a personal-best 22 goals and ranked sixth among team forwards with 54 points in 60 games. He played parts of five major junior seasons for Portland, and sprinkled in 23 USHL games with the Lincoln Stars.