In their first and only season in Tulsa, Gallagher's team would finish last in the league (12–43–6) and failed to generate the necessary fan support, and the franchise ceased operations.

After completion of voting from local hockey fans, it was revealed that the "Fighting Saints" moniker would once again represent Dubuque in the USHL.

[1] In their first year back in the USHL for the 2010–11 season, the Saints would inaugurate the brand new Mystique Community Ice Center with Dubuque native Brooks Bertsch scoring the first goal.

The expansion Fighting Saints had a successful season compiling a 37–14–9 record and taking first place in the Western Conference.

The Youngstown Phantoms took Dubuque to a decisive fifth game in the Clark Cup semifinals, with the Saints advancing with the win.

In the Clark Cup finals, the Saints would seal the championship with a win on the road, taking down the Fargo Force 3-games-to-0.

[citation needed] Prior to the start of the 2013–14 season, first-year coach Shaw and the Saints were invited to play in the Junior Club World Cup in Omsk, Russia, finishing with the bronze medal.

Returning home, the defending champions skated to a 33–23–4 regular season record, finishing third in the Eastern Conference[8] and qualifying for the postseason for the fourth time in four years.

[8] Prior to the start of the season, the USHL reduced the number of playoff teams from each conference from 6 to 4, eliminating the opening qualifying round.

[citation needed] The Saints under direction of first year coach Jason Lammers, finished the 2015–16 regular season in third place in the Eastern Conference.

Following the season, Saints net-minder Hunter Miska was recognized by USA Hockey as the Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year.

[15] In an injury-plagued 2017–18 regular season, the Saints finished in fifth place with 33 of 60 games being decided by a single point where they held a 14–19 record.

[citation needed] Prior to 2018–19 season, Philip Falcone sold his interest in Northern Lights Hockey to another group under the name Saints4Life Acquisitions, LLC.

Saints4Life's investors were made up of many other individuals including Dan Bylsma, Johnny Gaudreau, Zemgus Girgensons, and Peter Luukko.

Started in 2011–12 season and sponsored by Prairie Farms, the Cowbell Cup is awarded to the highest finisher in the "Cowbell Cup Regular Season Series" between the eastern Iowa USHL rivals; Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, Dubuque Fighting Saints, and Waterloo Blackhawks.

"Johnny Hockey" was a member of the Boston College Eagles 2012 NCAA National Championship team, a finalist for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award, and the winner of the 2014 Hobey Baker Award as the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's hockey player.

After four seasons at Northeastern University, the defenseman signed an entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers and made his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 1, 2016.

Barber played three seasons at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, garnering a selection to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Conference First Team.