O’Connor happy to be back on ice

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006 | 8:14 a.m.

After being sidelined by two concussions during the first half of the season, right wing Sean O'Connor returned to the Wranglers over the weekend and made immediate contributions in two victories.

They weren't so immediate to him, though. He said he has been healthy for about a month. The team's medical staff was cautious, easing him back into training, and he began skating and participating in drills two weeks ago.

Before that, he hadn't touched a puck in two months.

"I would sleep 23 hours a day, then try to watch TV," O'Connor said. "But anything with bright lights would make you vomit. It was really tough."

O'Connor, 24, said he had last dealt with a concussion nine years ago. This time around, rest was the prescription.

"I couldn't do anything, not even walking around a mall," O'Connor said. "Coming to the rink was tough. Just sitting there and watching was really annoying. There was nothing I could do all day long. I was so bored and frustrated. I'm just glad to be back."

Fight night

Saturday's ECHL game against the Stockton Thunder at the Orleans Arena was particularly aggressive and physical. That wasn't surprising, given Stockton is second in the ECHL with nearly 30 penalty minutes a game. Las Vegas is in the bottom half of the 25-team league in penalty minutes.

Stockton defender Tony Johnson drilled O'Connor high, slamming him over backward to draw a penalty at the end of the first period. O'Connor then found himself in a scrum on the boards in front of the Thunder bench.

Then O'Connor got into it, exchanging punches with a player on the bench. It was an evening of instigation penalties and game misconducts on both sides.

"It was good fun," O'Connor said.

"I'm getting my confidence back, and I'm not shying away with my head. It's kind of scary talking about concussions and what could happen, but I know I can take a good hit now and play my game without having to worry about it."

Slick skater

Wranglers coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan likes O'Connor's combination of size (6 feet 3 inches, 220 pounds) and skills. Saturday, O'Connor nearly pulled off a nifty flick of a pass, with his back to the net, for a goal.

His skating is exceptional and he showed his fearlessness by driving at Stockton goalie Jeff Weber, who had failed to smother a loose puck. But O'Connor's shot just missed. O'Connor scored the game winner against Phoenix on Friday at the Orleans.

A native of Victoria, British Columbia, O'Connor had 20 goals and 10 assists in 46 games last season for the San Diego Gulls of the ECHL.

"My hands are coming back slowly," O'Connor said. "The lungs are coming back, and the legs are burning a bit. But I feel better. The team's playing well, and I love being a part of it."

Also noted

* Not long ago, Mike Hannegan drove the Zamboni at the practice facility for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Now, after a few key Ducks officials inspired a career change and college, Hannegan is going to an All-Star game.

The Wranglers' trainer was voted by his peers to fill out the training staff for the National Conference in the ECHL All-Star game in Fresno on Jan. 25.

Hannegan, 31, said it's an added bonus that he will be taking part in those festivities with Gulutzan, who played seven years for the Falcons and whose No. 21 jersey was retired to the rafters at the Save Mart Center in Fresno in 2003.

Gulutzan, who played in two All-Star games and has guided the Wranglers to an ECHL-best 26-6-3 (55 points) record, will coach the National Conference with Alaska boss Davis Payne.

* Wranglers defender Tim Hambly, who was recalled to Omaha of the AHL last week, and reserve goalie Mike McKenna were also named to the National All-Star squad.

* Las Vegas hosts San Diego at 7:05 p.m. today, and the Falcons also visit Friday for a unusual promotion. The Wranglers will wear special jerseys for Friday the 13th, and fans will be able to bid on the jerseys at a silent auction on the concourse during the game.

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