Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005 | 7:39 a.m.
An Orleans blackjack dealer and one-time Summerlin Marriott bellboy and valet, Mark Magliarditi passed his test for a real estate license last summer. But he did not receive it until the end of May.
He had been a bit busy with his day job for the Las Vegas Wranglers. The goalie known as "Mags" has participated in six real estate transactions. On Friday, someone made an offer on a home that his two brothers are selling.
"I feel pretty good; I've had a good variety of deals," Magliarditi said. "Sales, resales or new construction listings. It hasn't been about the money; it has been about getting experience."
Wranglers fans might be glad that Mags has a wealth of on-ice experience. He begins his ninth professional season, and third as a Wrangler, Friday night in Florida as the ECHL's all-time shutout king with 23.
Mags took a break from a vigorous workout Tuesday at the Las Vegas Ice Center to talk pucks with the Sun.
Age: 29
Height/weight: 5 feet, 11 inches; 190 pounds
Birthplace: Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Family: Wife, Heather; daughter, Arianna, 4; son, Easton, 11 months
Drafted: In the sixth round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, by the Chicago Blackhawks
First Wranglers victory: In team's first game, a 5-3 victory at Idaho on Oct. 22, 2003
First Wranglers shutout: In 1-0 victory against Fresno on Feb. 29, 2004, when he made 23 saves
1. THE MASK
Painted by NHL mask artist John Pepe of New Hampshire, Mags said most people miss the roulette wheel that rolls around the chin area. The ball has dropped into the No. 20 slot, his jersey number. The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign holds a special spot, too, and the Stratosphere Tower rises into the top white area. An Orleans sign and the Luxor pyramid also are represented. "I had a vision," Mags said, "and it came out 100 times better." Look for the keeper to debut a night-time version, possibly at this season's midnight game. He will donate the new mask to a charitable cause "if someone reads this and wants to get involved."
2. THE FAMILY
Roughly 60 members of his extended family live in the Las Vegas area, and he never knows how many tickets will be requested for a home game at the Orleans. In the offseason, however, only the immediate family -- anywhere from five to 20 -- attend a picnic-like gathering at his home in Summerlin. His mother, Christine, is in charge of the kitchen, and pasta is in the center of every meal. "I'm sure," Mags said, "that all the children in the family will turn into pasta noodles."
3. THE MOONLIGHTER
The real estate license could help him establish a career after hockey, "in a year or five years." But Mags dealt blackjack full time at the Orleans over the summer to help pay the bills. He had rarely occupied a seat on the other side of the table, which he'll never do again. "I've definitely done a lot more taking than giving," he said, laughing, on life as a dealer. "I won't gamble anymore, though. The house has a little bit of an advantage, I'd say. Just a little bit."
4. SERIOUSLY, EASTON?
Mags insists that Heather came up with the name of the couple's first boy, Easton -- which also happens to be a company that makes hockey sticks -- even before giving birth. She first thought of Ethan, he says, but that was too common. "Maybe she did see it on a hockey stick or bag," Magliarditi said. "But I had nothing to do with it, believe it or not. A lot of people don't."
5. THE GOAL
Wranglers coach Glen Gulutzan points to Mags' calming influence as his key attribute, which the goalie translates as a keen ability not to get too high or too low. "I can go off the wall like anyone else," he said, "but I think my experience helps. The biggest battle for me is consistency. After a big win, let's celebrate, let's be happy. But let's come to work tomorrow and try to do it again."
Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at [email protected]
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