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StumbleBlue line competition heats up at Wranglers training camp
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 | midnight
Ryan Mougenel: The "Moug" is Loose
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The Las Vegas Wranglers have a new coach for only the second time in the history of the franchise. 33-year-old Ryan Mougenel is the new man in charge. Mougenel has been an assistant for Stockton and Fresno the past four years.
Hockey Talk
Lessons about coaching, camp and community service
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Las Vegas Wranglers beat reporter Steve Silver interviews Wranglers head coach Ryan Mougenel at the SoBe Ice Arena and gets the scoop on training camp and Mougenel's plans to make the Wranglers more involved in the Las Vegas community.
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Expanded hockey coverage
The ice is starting to get a little more crowded at the Las Vegas Wranglers training camp.
Two new defensemen joined the squad over the weekend to bring the total number of skaters in camp to 25.
Defensemen Robert Bina and Chris Frank, who both have American Hockey League experience, signed contracts Sunday.
The Wranglers originally listed Frank on the training camp roster, but the addition of Bina now means there are nine defensemen competing for jobs, including Craig Switzer, Chris Frank, Nick Ross, Jason Krischuk, Sean Hurley, John Schwarz, Jason Fredericks and free agent tryout survivor Gabe Andre.
Mike Madill is technically the 10th defenseman, but his return from off-season knee surgery is still a long way off and the Wranglers have not officially signed him.
"You have to make the team, it's that simple," said Wranglers coach and general manager Ryan Mougenel. "I think guys are understanding that. It's a very competitive camp."
Bina joins the Wranglers after splitting last season between the Stockton Thunder and the AHL's Springfield Falcons. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Grand Forks, N.D., native notched eight points in 28 ECHL games and another eight points in 37 AHL games. Before turning pro, Bina starred at the University of North Dakota.
Frank is a more physical defenseman with a bigger frame at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds. The 23-year-old Lynnwood, Wash., native joined the San Antonio Rampage last season after graduation from Western Michigan University.
Frank, a seventh-round draft pick (No. 188) of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2006, recorded one point and 35 penalty minutes in 12 games with the Rampage last season.
With those two now in the mix, the competition to suit up on the blue line will intensify.
"The one thing that I'm extremely impressed with is the work ethic here," Mougenel said. "I think the guys know that it's going to be a real part of the culture here. The skill level is another thing. I think our skill level is good. I'm happy with it, but I'm happier with our work ethic and the type of people that we have here."
Weston is restin': Forward Ryan Weston, who spent all of last season with the Albany River Rats of the AHL, could miss a significant part of the year with a torn MCL. He suffered the injury in San Antonio's camp and is walking with a knee brace.
"I told him, 'Don't let it define you this year,'" Mougenel said about the injury. "It's something that we will work through and will ultimately make you a stronger guy."
Adios Fiesta: With the Disney Live tour out of the Orleans Arena, the Wranglers can return home from the cozy confines of the SoBe Ice Arena. Las Vegas will practice at the Orleans Arena Tuesday morning before returning in the evening to scrimmage in front of season tickets holders.
Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.
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I met Coach Ryan on Saturday. What a personable guy. He took time to introduce himself to me and some fellow fans after practice.
I still would not want his job having to cut the training roster. I went to two practices and fast was a word to discribe the guys. Competitive is another. The fans will not be disappointed when it come to game time.
It was good to see Mike Madill in full dress out Sunday, to know his playing it smart and getting fully healthy before returning is a great example to the rest of the guys.
Here is hoping all who are injured recover well.
Amen, LPN4LIFE.
Thanks for the story, Steve. Keep the information comin'!
I watched Friday's practice--and also felt that we looked quick. Stephenson, Orpik, and Lukasevic impressed me. Both goaltenders appear solid.
Any news on Justin Taylor? He was on the Wrangler training camp roster released by the ECHL, but not the list released by the team.
Nice work as always Steve. Good to hear that this team seems to be creating a hard working identity. We all know that some of the best teams the Wranglers have had, were more about hard work than the actual talent. Sounds like there is a good blend of both here. Says a lot about the coaching staff and atmosphere.
I'll look for you Thursday night at the game. By the way, when will we be seeing the new features and/or format you mentioned for the new season here in the Sun?
Dmoney, I will find out about Justin Taylor. ECHL just sent out a release that the Wranglers traded the rights to Mike Hamilton to Victoria.
Winthorpe, the website will stay fairly similar, but the podcasts will feature Mougenel and players now:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/podcasts/hock...
Also, be sure to stay in your seats at intermission. Yours truly will be on the big screen doing the on-ice interviews Josh Fisher used to conduct between periods.
Finally, when you're craving Wranglers on the road, I'm your guy. I'll be traveling this season to not only write about the team, but to do the radio broadcasts as well.
I'm telling you, the Sun is going to cover this team like an NHL squad. No need to go anywhere else but Lasvegassun.com. We're going to have sick photo galleries from each game and a lot more video features this season too.
Steve,
The great thing about you doing interviews now is that I will be right above you while you do them. My seats are the first row right above the tunnel. I assume the interviews will take place in that opening again this year. I'll try not to throw any popcorn on you!!!
When you say radio broadcasts, do you mean the Wranglers finally have a radio station to pick up the games or do you mean the webcast?
See you Thursday at the intermission - just look up over the railing at the top of the tunnel and duck.
oh boy...no heckling winthorpe. If I get popcorn on me I will make sure the Duke returns the favor on your section.
Yes, I mean webcast. No true radio that I know of.
Note to everyone...Chris Frank is from Lynnwood, WASHINGTON, not Massachusetts.
My mistake. Winthorpe, I'm glad randolf didn't catch that error, eh?
I won't heckle you he says with no beer in his system. No premature celebrating on what Randolf will find. It's early yet. He could be lying in the weeds here. I'll hold off on the popcorn as I don't want the Duke after me so I'll behave.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Sullivan Arena this season Steve...