Thunder boss offers pep talk to players

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, March 16, 1999 | 10:55 a.m.

Las Vegas Thunder general manager Bob Strumm met individually with each player Monday morning to discuss the impending trade of star right winger Patrice Lefebvre.

"I just wanted to assure the guys that we're still in the hunt and we're trying to do the best we can to keep this team winning," Strumm said. "I want them to keep plugging. I still believe we can (make the IHL playoffs)."

Las Vegas (28-31-6, 62 points), which flew out early this morning for Winnipeg and a Wednesday night game against the Manitoba Moose, still trails Kansas City by 11 points for the final IHL Western Conference playoff berth with 17 games to go.

Some may view the trade of 1997-98 IHL MVP Lefebvre, the last original member of the Thunder and the team's all-time leader in games, assists and points, as the start of a cost-cutting move for a team that still is searching for a rink to play in next season.

"They're all aware that we're doing all we can do about that situation," Strumm said. "A lot of players have bought homes here and are anxious for the team to remain here."

For that to happen, Strumm said, the Thunder will likely have to split its home schedule next season between the Thomas & Mack Center and the new Mandalay Bay Arena, which has shown some interest in hosting midweek contests.

"I talked with the people at Mandalay Bay last week," Strumm said. "It's hard to judge the interest there. Hopefully there's a mix there. Then we can go back to the people at the Thomas & Mack. No question, it will have to be a split schedule between the two arenas next year."

Strumm said he hoped to have the arena matter resolved by the middle of April.

In the meantime, he is busy working the phones talking to teams interested in a possible Lefebvre deal. If no one steps forward, the popular winger will be sent to Long Beach on Thursday as the "future considerations" of a Dec. 1 trade that brought wingers Scott Hollis and Shawn Wansborough to Las Vegas.

"I talked to seven teams today," Strumm said. "We should have Patty's trade done by Wednesday."