Flurry of trades juggles LV’s roster for stretch run

Nick Christensen

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 | 9:16 a.m.

The Las Vegas Wranglers kept busy leading up to Tuesday's noon trade deadline, dealing away three players and acquiring two more in three separate trades.

Afterward, the ECHL announced the league's trade deadline had been pushed back to Thursday, to accommodate a change in visa procedure by U.S. immigration.

Tuesday's first trade sent defenseman Kayle Short, a veteran minor leaguer who'd played just 17 games with Las Vegas after signing with the Wranglers in December, to Peoria for defenseman Craig Olynick.

Center Kevin O'Flaherty was then sent to the Charlotte Checkers for defenseman Nick Bilotto. O'Flaherty spent most of the past three months on the injured list, and was seemingly always "going to be activated next week." In four games, O'Flaherty had four goals and 11 assists.

Bilotto, in his fourth professional season, logged seven goals and 21 assists with the Checkers, and also had 10 points in 14 games at Triple-A Springfield, where he is currently on loan. He will not suit up for the Wranglers until done with Springfield.

Olynick, and rookie forward Blaine Bablitz, were then both dealt to the Toledo Storm, in exchange for all-star center Morten Ask. Bablitz also struggled with injury in Las Vegas, and had five goals and six assists in his 23 games.

Ask, a 23-year-old from Norway, had impressive numbers with Toledo, scoring 23 goals and 30 assists in 62 games. More important, Ask was paired with Wranglers forward Eric Schneider last year at low Double-A Laredo, and the two have chemistry together.

That year, Schneider tallied 38 goals and 43 assists in 44 games, and Ask matched his totals so far this season in just 48 games. So far at Las Vegas this year, Schneider's logged 17 goals and 16 assists in 36 games.

Las Vegas coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan said he needed to solidify the center position.

"I think by aquiring Ask, who is an ex-teammate of Eric Schneider, I have done that," Gulutzan said. "After trading Short to get a centerman I needed another defenseman and I think I got one in Bilotto, who is an elite defenseman at this level and should help us in the playoffs."