Take Five: Chris Stanley

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 | 9:01 a.m.

By Rob Miech

Instead of following the usual route to a professional hockey career, Las Vegas Wranglers center Chris Stanley played four years in an amateur league and then went to school, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for four years.

Thus Stanley has yet to play a full professional season. Breaking his left arm sidelined him in March during his rookie year in Las Vegas. The elbow still hasn't completely healed.

Stanley, tied for the team lead (with Derek Edwardson) in goals (seven) and points (13), is a Wranglers alternate captain. "I like the responsibility," he said. "I have to be a leader on this team even though it's only my second year as a pro."

Since losing three in a row in Alaska, Las Vegas (12-4-2, 26 points), which hosts Johnstown (6-8-6, 18 points) tonight at the Orleans Arena, has won six of seven games.

"Alaska was a little blow to our ego," Stanley said. "It kind of brought us back down to Earth."

* Age: 26

* Size: 6 feet 2 inches, 210 pounds

* Born: June 18, 1979

* Hometown: Parry Sound, Ontario

* Shoots: left

* Education: Earned a degree in business management at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) named him national player of the year in 2004.

1. Drafted

Stanley was picked in the fourth round (90th overall selection) by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Canucks management had not contacted him before the draft. "Being a Canadian kid, I was pretty excited," he said. "For me to go to camp and see guys like Mark Messier and Pavel Bure, guys you've idolized for a few years ... a great experience."

2. Options

Stanley played four years in the Ontario Hockey League, with the Bellville Bulls, to retain his amateur status. Playing a professional game or signing a professional contract would have canceled his college scholarship. "I wasn't going to mess that up," he said.

3. Hey, pops

Stanley was 23 and 24 when he sat in the same classes as 17- and 18-year-olds.

"It was weird," he said. "They looked at me like I was in the wrong spot. Everyone looks at you like, 'What are you doing here? You're in the wrong program here, buddy.' After a while, they respected me when they understood what I was there for and who I was."

4. Still learning

The Tigers have struggled since Stanley left, but he returns every summer to help young players and call recruits on behalf of the coaching staff. Stanley earned the marks at Dalhousie to pursue a law degree or a master's in business. "Hockey is my love and my passion," he said. "(But) I've got job opportunities already. It's nice to have that situation in my back pocket."

5. The Left Elbow

Stanley first broke it, just above the elbow and in four places, in 1999. The elbow was completely detached. As per doctors' advice, he did not undergo surgery. In March, he broke it again -- just below the elbow -- stopping a fall.

This time he had surgery, and a long wire and two pins hold it together.

"It hurts at times, but it's nothing I can't handle," Stanley said. "I'm able to take faceoffs, make passes and score goals. I'm lucky I can still do the things that made me successful."

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at miech@lasvegassun.com.