Rookie forward shoulders heavy expectations

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Las Vegas Sun

Wranglers rookie forward Scott McCulloch is all smiles after scoring the first of two goals against the Thunder on Saturday night at the Orleans Arena for Las Vegas’ regular season finale.

By Steve Silver (contact)

Friday, April 10, 2009 | midnight

There is nothing glamorous about chasing dumped pucks into corners or battling defensemen in front of the crease, but Scott McCulloch is not complaining.

McCulloch, the newest member of the Las Vegas Wranglers, jumped from an amateur tryout agreement to a professional contract this week by excelling in the more grimy roles of hockey –- and if he performs as well as he has in the regular season when the playoffs start tonight, the Wranglers might just hoist the Kelly Cup this year.

Since joining the Wranglers from Colorado College on March 21, McCulloch has notched five goals and four assists in just eight games.

"Scott is not going to toe drag guys and work the half wall on the power play," Wranglers coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan said. "He is here because he goes to the net well. He is a big, strong guy and he'll go and do the dirty things. That's why he is here. That's why he has had success down the stretch and that's the way we expect him to perform in the playoffs."

Those heavy expectations, though, are nothing new for the southpaw from Alberta.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward launched his name into the spotlight after earning playoff MVP honors for helping the Grand Prairie Storm capture the Alberta Junior Hockey League crown in 2004. Shortly after that honor, the Chicago Blackhawks drafted McCulloch in the sixth round (No. 165 overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

"Since I've been playing this game, I've always just set a goal to be a factor in every game and contribute to wins," McCulloch said. "I know I have a specific role and I just try to stay within that."

McCulloch, who admits to acting like a bookworm off the ice, headed to Colorado College following his successful stint in the Juniors to pursue a degree in comparative French literature – and of course, his hockey career.

Although he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury early in his freshman year, McCulloch remained focused on and off the ice. He earned a Western Collegiate Hockey Association Scholar Athlete Award in 2008 and worked his way onto the WCHA All-Academic Team three times.

After scoring 57 points in 117 games in his final three seasons, McCulloch found out he could take a fifth year for his medical hardship as a freshman.

Rather than leave Colorado College, McCulloch returned for a fifth season, when he posted 13 points in 27 games.

"College is always a good time and you can only do it once," McCulloch said. "But after five years you are kind of ready to move on and I'm just really thankful (Gulutzan) gave me an opportunity here."

McCulloch quickly adjusted to his new squad and scored his first two professional goals in his third game with Las Vegas on March 24.

Living with former Colorado College teammate Brandon Straub also helped the 24-year-old acclimate to a rather unique city.

"Yeah, it's a little different than Alberta," McCulloch joked. "Living off the Strip was probably a smart decision, but I really like the city. Having Straub here was nice and really the guys in the locker room are a great group of guys."

With only five returning members from the 2008 Wranglers team that captured the National Conference championship, McCulloch is not the only fresh face at the Orleans Arena.

The Wranglers' youth movement will prove vital for a deep run in the playoffs, but McCulloch could prove especially crucial in toppling the Bakersfield Condors tonight.

The Condors allow a league-worst 3.65 goals per game which means McCulloch is ripe to take advantage of Bakersfield's weak goaltending.

"I just want to help the team win," McCulloch said. "I'm not going to score the prettiest goals all the time, but I have a job and a role to be a physical player with energy and be strong in the corners and in front of the net. And I'm excited to have the chance to do that here."

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.