Sun File photo

The Las Vegas Dustdevils play the Sacramento Knights at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 1994.

By Rob Miech

Mon, Jun 2, 2008 (2 a.m.)

John Kennedy, a longtime soccer referee in the valley, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about the Las Vegas Dustdevils’ championship season of 1994.

“Thanks, man, for remembering!” he says in his foamy Scottish accent. “It looks like everyone has forgotten about us. To overlook that team would be an absolute insult.”

Seems every media type is parroting as fact that if the Wranglers win an ECHL Kelly Cup championship, it would be the first for a pro sports franchise in Las Vegas since 1988.

The Triple-A Stars had a fine baseball season 20 years ago, but that wasn’t the last professional title claimed by a Las Vegas team.

The Dustdevils won a Continental Indoor Soccer League crown in 1994.

A friend recently howled to Kennedy, who served as a Dustdevils assistant to head coach Guy Newman, about the injustice of it all.

“That was a great team,” says Kennedy, 58. “What they did, I don’t think, has been equaled in American sports.”

Forgive Kennedy’s sentimentality, but the black onyx ring with the gold Dustdevil logo on top is his lone piece of championship jewelry from a rich history with the sport.

He reads a state resolution from a plaque that proclaims Oct. 8, 1994, as Dustdevil Day in Nevada.

Las Vegas played that first season at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where it averaged 4,000 fans and went 17-11. It beat San Diego and Anaheim in the playoffs, then defeated Dallas in the three-game title series.

Some players got $75 a game. Others made $500 a week. Only indoor legend Branko Segota, Rusty Troy and goalie Brett Phillips received the maximum monthly salary of $3,500.

Kennedy especially liked the Las Vegas flavor of the team, which was stocked with former UNLV players Danny Barber, Doug Borgel, Thies Carstens, Ben Erickson, Emmet Mielbrecht, Cliff Odle and Danny Packer.

Barber, now a manager at Mandalay Bay, earned $1,000 a month. His overtime header won Game 2 against Dallas, then the Dustdevils won the championship in Game 3.

“Who even knows what a Dustdevil is?” Barber says. “That first practice, we had five guys and Segota, the star, practicing outdoors in 110-degree heat at the old Silver Bowl. He said, ‘I didn’t sign up for this.’ But that was a great collection of guys and we caught lightning in a bottle.”

The Devils finished 13-15 in 1995, when they played in the Thomas & Mack Center, lost to Monterrey in the playoffs and folded.

“My goodness, what fantastic memories,” Kennedy says. “It was a beautiful thing. I’m going to call coach Newman and tell him somebody remembers.”

THIS WEEK’S BEST BET

Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Las Vegas Wranglers, 7:05 p.m. today, Orleans Arena

The ECHL Kelly Cup title is up for grabs as Game 5 of the championship series takes place tonight. In three of its previous four seasons, Las Vegas has lost to the eventual league champs in the playoffs. Will the Wranglers’ fifth season end on a magical note?

TICKETS: $10-$39.25

ON THE WEB: www.lasvegaswranglers.com

ALSO WORTH A LOOK

Tucson Sidewinders vs. Las Vegas 51s, 7:05 p.m. Thursday, Cashman Field

The Sidewinders are the worst team in the Pacific Coast League and dwell in the cellar of the South Division. The 51s are battling to stay above .500. But wait, there are 12-ounce reasons to hit Cashman for this game — it’s dollar beer night. Bring your mitt, too.

TICKETS: $8-$13

ON THE WEB: www.lasvegas51s.com