Las Vegas churns out fair share of hockey talent

Expected to be one of the Wranglers' standouts this season, center Chris Francis is part of an impressive group of pro and college players who are products of Las Vegas' youth hockey programs.

"It was a grind for us, but we stuck with it and now we're here," said Francis, a former Eldorado High School student.

Jason Zucker leads the list. Last season, the former Bonanza High student became the first player from Nevada to play in the NHL, notching two assists in six games for the Minnesota Wild.

Zucker, 21, who was born in Newport Beach, Calif., but raised in Las Vegas, was the Wild's second-round draft pick in 2010 and joined Minnesota shortly after wrapping up his sophomore season at the University of Denver.

The left wing is playing for Houston of the American Hockey League during the NHL lockout and has a goal and three assists in four games for the Aeros.

Bonanza grad Adam Naglich is in the midst of his second pro season in Austria after playing two seasons for Bakersfield (ECHL), and former Green Valley High student Bryce Reddick is Francis' rookie teammate on the Wranglers.

At least four other local products are playing Division I college hockey this season: Mike Chiasson - whose late father was former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Steve Chiasson - is a sophomore defenseman at Michigan; Cory Ward is a highly skilled freshman forward at Bemidji State; Kenny Brooks is a freshman forward at Penn State; and Ross McMullen is a freshman defenseman at St. Lawrence.

"I get calls on local kids all the time from universities. It's pretty impressive," Wranglers coach Ryan Mougenel said. "It's a testament to the committed coaches here. They've had an effect on all these kids."

Wranglers volunteer assistant Rob Pallin - director of the Fiesta Rancho Ice Arena and former longtime youth coach here - has worked with most of the aforementioned players, including Zucker, and countless others.

"These younger kids see firsthand how you must train in the offseason. I explain to each player you must set yourself up to succeed," he said. "We work very hard on skill development, skating and conditioning."

Pallin estimates there are about 240 kids, ages 5-16, involved in youth hockey programs at the Fiesta - home to the Junior Wranglers - and the Las Vegas Ice Center, which is located on West Flamingo Road and is home to the Junior Storm.

He said the amount of available ice time in the city has been key to successfully developing players.

"Kids get a lot of ice time here - it's available 12 months a year - there are a lot of great coaches in this town and the kids have a great support system," Pallin said. "I think both facilities are doing a great job of getting kids skating at a young age. We just need more kids (ages) 5, 6 and 7 playing."

Reddick, a Michigan Tech product whose father, former NHL goaltender Eldon "Pokey" Reddick, coaches the 16-and-under team at LVIC, said the local youth hockey scene is on solid ground.

"I think it's stronger than it was when we were coming up, actually," Bryce Reddick said. "There should be some good kids coming out the next five or six years."

Francis, who said he fell in love with the sport watching Wayne Gretzky play for the Los Angeles Kings, compiled 45 points (12 goals, 33 assists) for Las Vegas last season, including the playoffs, and is determined to make a bigger impact this season.

He reported to training camp in great shape, having shed 15 pounds, and has a goal and an assist in the first three games for the Wranglers (2-1-0).

Francis didn't score in Saturday's 5-4 loss to Stockton (2-1-1) at Orleans Arena.

"I'm trying to become more of a complete player," he said. "I learned a lot (last season). This year, I want to be one of the go-to guys."

Mougenel is counting on it.

"He's a phenomenal talent," he said. "I expect big things from him this year."

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