Wranglers set to sign physical forward

By Steve Silver

Published Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 | 9:30 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 | 11:27 a.m.

Courtesy ECHL.com

Hagel

The Las Vegas Wranglers are in the process of adding some brains and brawn to the roster.

Head coach and general manager Ryan Mougenel is expected to announce Wednesday the addition of 24-year-old forward Kyle Hagel. Hagel asked for and was granted his release from a tryout agreement with the Cincinnati Cyclones earlier this week.

Hagel, a Hamilton, Ontario native, was a three-time ECAC All-Academic Team member at Princeton. As assistant captain his senior year with the Tigers, Hagel also earned an Academic All-Ivy selection.

After graduating from Princeton in 2008, Hagel began his professional career last season with the Fresno Falcons where he notched eight points and 97 penalty minutes in 23 games.

When the Falcons folded in the middle of the season due to financial trouble, the 6-foot, 205-pound forward headed to the Reading Royals where he posted five points and 46 penalty minutes in 15 games. He also saw limited action in three games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

"Kyle Hagel is a solid human being," Mougenel said. "A Princeton grad, real bright kid, but really tough and can play the game the way I think the game should be played. He has a contagious attitude. He works extremely hard and it rubs off on everybody. So I’m really excited about Kyle."

The Wranglers open the regular season against the Utah Grizzlies Friday at 7 p.m. at the Orleans Arena.

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