Youngest Wrangler draws attention with goal-scoring abilities

By Steve Silver

Published Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 | 1 a.m.

Updated Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 | 11:18 a.m.

A few months ago John Morea didn't even know Las Vegas had a hockey team.

But the Wranglers will certainly know who Morea is if his performance in the intra-squad scrimmage Tuesday night is a sign of the future.

The 20-year-old Brooklyn native scored twice Tuesday night as the white squad defeated the black unit 4-0 during the 40-minute scrimmage at the Orleans Arena.

"Johnny Morea is a goal scorer," said Wranglers head coach and general manager. Ryan Mougenel. "He's got a knack, a special kind of knack, around the net. He's a very young kid. I've known him for a couple of years and that's how he plays. He'll get a good opportunity and a good look on Thursday and we'll see what he can do."

Morea, Matt Kang and Andrew Orpik all scored in Tuesday's scrimmage as Mike Madill coached the winning squad and Ryan Weston manned the bench for the black team.

Morea's innate tenacity near the crease, though, is what has drawn Mougenel's attention to the stocky, 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward.

"Ever since I started playing, below the dots in front of the net has just always been my area," Morea said. "I'm still getting used to the faster pace with bigger guys here, but I'm catching on quick."

Adjusting to the skill level of the ECHL is certainly the No. 1 challenge for Morea, who spent last season split between the Eastern Professional Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Maritime Junior A Hockey League. Morea was also a three-time Eastern Junior League All-Star before turning pro.

He played the most games last season with the Jersey Rockhoppers of the EPHL where he netted 13 points in 18 contests.

Morea's journey to Las Vegas from the EPHL actually has its roots in Atlantic City.

Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland, a New Jersey native and Mougenel's coach with the Kelly Cup champion Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, knew about Morea's raw talent from scouting the local rinks.

Haviland invited Morea to the Blackhawks' prospect camp in July and then lobbied his former player, Mougenel, to give Morea a tryout.

Oddly enough, Mougenel remembered watching Morea tryout for the Fresno Falcons as a raw teenager last year so it was not a hard sell.

"Mike Haviland is a close friend and he was adamant that I bring him into camp," Mougenel said. "Obviously I respect his opinion and (Morea) is going to get his chance to prove himself here."

And that is all Morea really wants.

Still too young to let casinos distract him, Morea is completely focused on earning a roster spot when the Wranglers open the season on Oct. 16 against Utah.

"Las Vegas is a great city and I'm happy to be here," Morea said. "I want to stay here. My focus is on making this team right now."

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or [email protected].