UNLV hockey club sees great opportunity in T-Mobile Arena game

In its 11-year existence, there never has been a bigger moment for UNLV’s men’s ice hockey club than Sunday.

The team, which is attempting to move from club to varsity status, will play in an NHL rink when it hosts Arizona State’s club team at 12:05 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena, the home of the Las Vegas NHL expansion franchise that begins play in the 2017-18 season.

The Sun Devils also have a varsity hockey team, which is playing as a Division I independent this year. UNLV hopes to follow in Arizona State’s footsteps.

“The whole point of this game is timing,” UNLV general manager Zee Khan said. “We have a quality team, and this is a chance to show the community what we’re trying to do. We’ve invited the president (Len Jessup) and the athletic department so they can see firsthand what we’re all about and what the possibilities are.”

The Rebels are 7-1 in the American Collegiate Hockey Association playing at the Division II club level. Behind the scenes, a foundation has been formed to raise $15 million to cover the costs of going to Division I varsity.

The hope is to be playing as a varsity team within three years.

Getting a large crowd Sunday would be an indicator of interest. A “Gofundme” drive was held to raise money to pay for 400 student tickets. Tickets are $25 and $35, considerably more than the $10 the club charges when it plays at the Las Vegas Ice Center.

The building was donated by MGM Resorts for the game, and the ice was being left up from Saturday’s NHL Frozen Fury preseason game between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche.

“It’s great exposure for our guys,” UNLV coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener said. “It’s also close to campus so the students can get to T-Mobile easily. But by playing this game, it shows how serious we are about wanting to take the program to the next level.”

Khan hopes for a crowd of at least 4,000.

“We’ve promoted this game more than any other game ever,” he said. “A lot of people may not be able to afford to see an NHL game. This is a great way for them to see the arena as well as our program.”

Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow on Twitter: @stevecarprj.