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Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Las Vegas Sun
Former Fresno Falcons goaltender Michael Ouzas squares up to a Wranglers shooter during a game at the Orleans Arena on December 1, 2008. Ouzas signed a contract with Las Vegas on Thursday.
Published Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 | 6 a.m.
Updated Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009 | 11:31 p.m.
Ouzas
Expanded hockey coverage
Las Vegas general manager and head coach Ryan Mougenel did not have to search far for the Wranglers' new goalie.
Mougenel, a former Fresno Falcons assistant coach, agreed to terms with former Falcons netminder Michael Ouzas Thursday.
Ouzas, a 23-year-old Hamilton, Ontario native, posted a 10-6-1 record with a 2.68 goals against average and .905 save percentage last season in Fresno before the Falcons folded due to financial trouble. He finished out the season with the Reading Royals with a 10-16 record, 3.51 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.
"Michael has tremendous athleticism," Mougenel said. "He’s a proven goalie at this level and he has a very strong competitive nature that I really like. It’s important to get a goalie that is going to lead through his work ethic and how well he prepares. He has a great approach to the game and I admire the way he has played."
Ouzas was previously under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
Prior to joining the ECHL, the 5-foot-10, 189-pound netminder led the University of New Brunswick to two consecutive National Finals, capturing gold in 2007 and silver in 2008. Ouzas also spent four season in the Ontario Hockey League, earning OHL Goaltender of the Year honors in 2005.
Mougenel said he would not name Ouzas as the automatic No. 1 goalie yet, but the rookie head coach is very confident about Ouzas' abilities.
"Every game he goes in he will give us a chance to win," Mougenel said. "It’s really important to get a solid foundation between the pipes and build your team back to front."
Mougenel also confirmed Thursday the Wranglers are in talks to bring back centers Adam Miller and Justin Taylor as well as defensemen Jason Dest and Brandon Straub.
Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com. Steve is a regular guest on the Heatwave Sports show on Fox Sports Radio 920 AM, which airs every Saturday and Sunday from 10 p.m. to midnight.
WOOT!! Finally! I was beginning to wonder if the roster was ever going to come together. But it seems like Coach Mougenel is somewhat like Gully, taking his time, going to visit the guys on their own turf and making sure they are Wrangler material. Also, that they can play in a 24/7 town with out getting too caught up in the hooplah.
It would be good to see Adam Miller, Justin Taylor, Jason Dest and Brandon Staub back here.
Keep it up Coach!!
I'm with you LPN
I expect a flurry of signings in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
IM FEELING A GOOD VIBE WITH COACH MOUGE........STAY TUNED WE ARE GONNA HAVE STEVE ON THE SHOW IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.......HEATWAVE SPORTS FOX SPORTS RADIO 920AM SAT + SUN 10PM-MIDNIGHT.......THE ONLY SOURCE FOR WRANGLERS HOCKEY ON THE DIAL
Thanks for the info on what radio staion we can turn to for Wranglers updates.
Back at the beginning of the Wranglers there was a local AM radio station that would carry the sound protion of the games, whatever happened with that? One year it was there the next year it wasn't.
Steve, I have been looking everyday for the last couple of weeks for new roster signings, thanks for keeping us (Wrangler fans)up on things.
No problem LPN, I'm just glad Las Vegas has a real hockey writer dedicated to the Wranglers.
Steve, what happened with the signing of Riedel? HWSPORTS, thanks for the info, I didn't know about your covering Wrangler hockey. I will try to stay awake to listen. Steve, I look for your articles every day, keep up the good work and inside scoops.
LPN- I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING AVAILABLE AIRTIME AND THE WRANGLERS NOT WANTING TO PAY FOR IT.
VAGMAN- IF YOU CANT STAY UP....THE SHOW WILL BE ARCHIVED ON HWSPORTS.COM AND LVROCKS.COM
Primeau is a solid hockey mind and will bring a lot to the culture of this team. Primeau was one hard hitter and unfortunately got hit one time too many.
Vagman, what about Riedel? He signed along with Neiszner last month:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/wrangle...
Also Wranglers fans, this season the Sun has some new, really exciting coverage plans for the team. If you love hockey, you are going to love the Las Vegas Sun this season.
Steve, I remember reading about Riedel here, but the Wranglers have never made an anouncement.
I looked that up and you are correct Vagman, no official announcement. Coach Mougenel told me it was basically a done deal with Riedel right before the Neiszner signing. I haven't heard anything different yet.
New and exciting coverage this year? Steve, you are the man!! I am looking forward to hearing you and calling in on 920 AM. Make sure you give me a shout out. We need to get out and tip a couple back soon. Let me know when. Keep up the great work.
You got it winthorpe...I can't divulge exact plans, but let's just say you're going to be seeing, reading and listening to a lot more of me and the rest of the kick ass staff at the Sun this season. It will be "stellar"
Turns out we have a lot of hockey fans here so Wranglers will be front and center.