Breaking: Wild Fire Iowa Coach Kurt Kleinendorst

Amidst at 2-10 start the Wild have fired Iowa Wild coach Kurt Kleinendorst, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. Russo says, “Kleinendorst, 53, was informed of the Wild’s decision by director of minor-league operations Jim Mill after Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Wolves. An announcement is expected Tuesday morning.”

Iowa currently sits at the bottom of the AHL after coming off a season where they finished in last place in the Western Conference, making for a thus far unceremonious arrival in Des Moines.

According to Russo’s sources the team has tabbed former Houston Aeros coach John Torchetti to replace Kleinendorst. Torchetti is said to be starting the job immediately and will be at practice tomorrow.

Torchetti coached the Aeros to the back-to-back postseason appearances with a regular season record of 75-51-26 before using an out-clause in his contract to head to the KHL to coach CSKA Moscow the season the team moved to Iowa. For more about Torchetti, check out Russo’s blog post.

The team is not bereft of talent, though there are questions about depth, but there’s really no reason for the team to be 2-10. It’s a roster that boasts some NHL experience with Jordan Schroeder, Justin Falk, Stu Bickel, Stephane Veilleux (though he’s with the NHL squad right now), Cody Almong, and others. There’s also Finnish star Michael Keranen, QMJHL standout Guillaume Gelinas, and plenty of other talented players who, on paper, shouldn’t be a recipe for a 2-10 team.

It’s somewhat alarming with the Wild already having their depth tested in a slate of injuries 15 games into the season that has included at different points Zach Parise, Jonas Brodin, Matt Cooke, Josh Harding, Jared Spurgeon, Keith Ballard, and Christian Folin.

Iowa has lost five straight games and has been outscored this season 27 to 46.

Derek wrote about the struggles in Iowa here, which is a good read you should take a look at. Derek discusses a lot of the lead up to what’s now happening, how Kleinendorst appeared to have lost the room, stopped talking to reporters, and was laying the blame at the feet of the team.

The Wild play in Milwaukee against the Admirals on Wednesday and then have a weekend series against the Oklahoma City Barons in Des Moines.