Wranglers set to open first camp under Mougenel

After dealing with a multitude of changes since last season -- most notably, the departure of former ECHL Coach of the Year Glen Gulutzan -- the Wranglers open their seventh training camp today at the Fiesta Rancho's SoBe Ice Arena with an almost entirely new roster.

A handful of players remain from last season, when Las Vegas made the playoffs for the fifth time in six years and reached the National Conference finals for the second straight season.

But first-year coach and general manager Ryan Mougenel expects the Wranglers to continue their winning tradition.

"It's been an extremely successful franchise, and that's why I came here," Mougenel said Thursday. "That's what I want to continue."

Las Vegas, 34-31-8 last season, returns four of its top seven scorers in center Dan Riedel (57 points), forward Adam Miller (44), center Chris Neiszner (41) and right wing Mick Lawrence (34).

Defenseman Jason Krischuk also returns to Las Vegas after splitting time last season between Sweden and the Central Hockey League.

The Wranglers also are expected to be led by forward Shay Stephenson, right wing Matt Watkins, left wing Ned Lukacevic, defenseman Andrew Orpik and goalie Michael Ouzas.

The 6-foot-4-inch Stephenson played the past two seasons in Europe and has NHL and American Hockey League experience.

The Wranglers changed their affiliation this year from the NHL's Calgary Flames to the Phoenix Coyotes and, subsequently, the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, who on Thursday sent Watkins and defenseman Nick Ross to Las Vegas.

Ross was a 2007 first-round draft pick of Phoenix.

Lukacevic played most of last season with the AHL's Providence Bruins.

Orpik is a Coyotes-contracted player whose older brother, Brooks, helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup last season.

Ouzas went 10-6-1 with a 2.68 goals-against average last season for the now-defunct Fresno Falcons.

Las Vegas will host the Ontario (Calif.) Reign on Thursday in its only home preseason game, at the Orleans Arena, and will open the regular season at home Oct. 16 against the Utah Grizzlies.

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