Thunder may stay in Las Vegas

Tim Graham

Tuesday, May 12, 1998 | 9:35 a.m.

The Las Vegas Thunder reserves the right to change its mind.

Since the Thunder's season came to an end last month, much has been said by players and management in regard to the team's future.

There were rumors the team would not be active in 1998-99, possibly asking the IHL at today's Board of Governors meetings in Chicago to go dormant due to financial strain. There were grumblings about poor player relations as fixtures Patrice Lefebvre and Ken Quinney quickly stated their intentions to play in Europe next season.

But Ken Stickney counters those notions.

"All I can say is that we will be announcing some positive surprises," the Thunder part- owner said.

Stickney scoffed at recent reports the Thunder, which lost money for the fifth straight season, would petition the IHL's Board of Governors to suspend operations for a year.

"Our intention has always been to play here next season," he said. "I'll say the same thing I've said for five years: Every year people have said we're not coming back the next year, and we always return.

"Our intention is to play in Las Vegas for years to come, and we're getting closer to making that a reality."

Stickney claimed an announcement should be made "in the next few weeks" about a possible new home. He stated the team will honor the final year of its lease with the Thomas & Mack Center before striking up an agreement with a yet-to-be-built venue.

"We're currently negotiating with the T&M for an extension, but the longer-term solution is with another arena," Stickney said.

Possibilities include Mandalay Bay and the Millennium in North Las Vegas, both of which are under construction, and a proposed arena that could go up on Las Vegas Boulevard south of Vacation Village.

In regard to Lefebvre and Quinney, Stickney hinted both could be back.

"People might see us signing some players who said they didn't want to come back next year," Stickney said.

Lefebvre, the team's all-time leading scorer and fan favorite, stated two weeks ago he wanted to be released from the last half of his four-year contract to play across the Atlantic. The Thunder, upset with Lefebvre's wishes, considered selling his rights to a European team or trading him.

But now everything appears cleared up with the IHL's reigning scoring king -- at least from Stickney's viewpoint.

"I had a very honest, long talk with Patty last week," Stickney said, "and he reaffirmed his desire to play in Las Vegas and only in Las Vegas. I expect to see Patty on our team next year and finish his career with us."

When asked if Quinney, the top goal scorer in franchise history, could also come back, Stickney replied "It's possible."

Neither Lefebvre nor Quinney were available for comment Monday night.

Clint in their eye

The Thunder has made a contract offer to Clint Malarchuk, but the team won't know if its coach will return until later this week at the earliest. Malarchuk's contract ran through this season.

"I'd be shocked if we didn't see Clint behind our bench next year," Stickney said. "He can just put down a (salary) number. Let's get it done. Let's get it behind us. If he's not behind our bench next year, it won't be for anything we've done."

Malarchuk has received inquiries from other minor-league teams, but the Thunder does not have a list of replacements in case its coach gets a better offer elsewhere.

"He represents everything we've chosen to stand for here," general manager Bob Strumm said. "I think Clint's built a nice little reputation. He's a quality guy for our people to play for."