Wranglers open season as independent

As the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes the past two seasons, the Wranglers were obligated to give the Coyotes' prospects in Las Vegas ample playing time whether they earned it or not.

The Wranglers, who open their ninth training camp Sept. 30, also incurred the travel and salary expenses of the prospects, some of whom might not have made the team without NHL contracts.

Financial concerns and having more control over player personnel were two of the main reasons Las Vegas recently ended its affiliation agreement with Phoenix.

The Wranglers, who were affiliated with the NHL's Calgary Flames for their first six seasons, will play this season as an independent, freeing their players to move up to any American Hockey League or NHL team.

"I want to build a culture where guys are hungry to get to the next level, and I think the best way to do that is to just have strictly ECHL contracts, and it's helped me in recruiting," Las Vegas coach Ryan Mougenel said. "Being in Las Vegas, guys want to play here, and guys don't want to play behind NHL contracts."

Of the six nongoalies who played for the Wranglers before making it to the NHL -- defensemen Adam Pardy, Tyler Sloan, Tyson Strachan and Deryk Engelland and forwards Charles Linglet and Adam Cracknell -- only Cracknell had an NHL contract.

"All my guys can go anywhere, so whoever's playing the best is going up," Mougenel said. "That's why I don't need an NHL team to do recruiting for me."

Mougenel, who three years ago replaced Glen Gulutzan -- now coach of the NHL's Dallas Stars -- said, on paper, this season's squad is probably the best he has compiled in Las Vegas.

"There isn't one kid I'm not excited about," he said.

The Wranglers have overhauled their roster from last season, when they went 38-29-5 (81 points) and lost in the first round of the ECHL playoffs, to Idaho, for the second straight year.

Las Vegas lost ECHL All-Star goalie Michael Ouzas and its top seven scorers, including Ryan Huddy (team-high 64 points), Tyler Mosienko (franchise all-time scoring leader) and bruising forward Blair Riley (40 points).

The Wranglers return goalie Joe Fallon, forwards Josh Lunden, Ryan Weston and Rob Smith and defensemen Jamie Fritsch and Barry Goers, along with former Las Vegas defenseman Mike Madill.

Newcomers include centers Ash Goldie, the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, and Judd Blackwater, a former ECHL All-Star, goalie Mitch O'Keefe and defensemen Michael Busto and Luka Vidmar.

The Wranglers will host their Black-White Game, an intrasquad scrimmage, at 5 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Fiesta Rancho Ice Arena, with proceeds to benefit the Junior Wranglers youth hockey program.

Las Vegas will play three exhibition games -- Oct. 7 at the expansion Colorado Eagles, Oct. 8 at the Ontario (Calif.) Reign and Oct. 9 against Ontario at Orleans Arena.

Colorado replaces the Victoria Salmon Kings, who folded after last season. The Chicago Express, featuring Riley, also join the league as an expansion team, and the San Francisco Bulls are slated to join the ECHL next year.

Las Vegas will open its season Oct. 14 and 15 at the defending ECHL Kelly Cup champion Alaska Aces and will host the Reign in its Oct. 21 home opener.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.