Blue line competition heats up at Wranglers training camp

By Steve Silver

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 | midnight

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 [email protected].