The Fighting Saints return to Dubuque

Dubuque's new USHL team will be named after its old one.

The team's owernship announced Saturday that it will be the Dubuque Fighting Saints competing next season. That was the name of the team when it was in the USHL from 1980 to 2001.

The Fighting Saints won the USHL's Clark Cup three times (1981, 1983 and 1985). One of its alumni, former longtime NHLer Gary Suter was in attendance at a Saturday press conference that announced the new team's old nickname.

Here's the official press release:

Northern Lights Hockey, LLC is the company that will own and operate the new USHL franchise in Dubuque, Iowa.  The owners of Northern Lights Hockey, LLC collectively provide an extensive background in both business and hockey, and represent interests on a national and local level.  Philip Falcone, Chief Investment Officer of Harbinger Capital Partners and part owner of the NHL's Minnesota Wild is the company's principal owner. The ownership group also includes Peter Chiarelli, General Manager of the Boston Bruins, Mark Falcone and Brad Kwong, Managing Director of Northern Lights Hockey, LLC.  Philip Falcone, Chiarelli and Kwong all played hockey together at Harvard University in the mid- 1980's.  The group also includes local Iowan partners Mark Falb and David S. Field, M.D.  Falb currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Westmark Enterprises, Inc and Kendall / Hunt Publishing Company.  Dr. Field has practiced orthopedic surgery for 30 years and has been the driving force behind hockey in Dubuque.  He currently owns the Dubuque Thunderbirds which competes in the Central States Hockey League.