Wranglers’ past and future face off in Texas

By Steve Silver

Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 | midnight

Normally an opening preseason game between two American Hockey League teams in Texas would hold no significance in Las Vegas.

But when former Wranglers head coach Glen Gulutzan makes his AHL debut across the ice from his successor, Ryan Mougenel, it can certainly add a little interest to the game.

Mougenel joined San Antonio assistant coach Ray Edwards behind the bench Thursday night as the Rampage hosted Gulutzan's expansion Texas Stars.

The Stars pulled off the 2-1 victory thanks to goals by Travis Morin and Greg Rallo. Former Wrangler Brandon Straub notched an assist.

"It's kind of an interesting dynamic, isn't it?" Mougenel said jokingly about the exhibition contest.

Mougenel, the current Wranglers head coach and general manager, has been in San Antonio all week scouting Las Vegas' new AHL affiliate Rampage in their training camp. The Rampage are part of the Phoenix Coyotes' organization.

Wranglers Director of Player Development Keith Primeau has also spent the past week in San Antonio with Mougenel as the Wranglers prepare to open training camp on Oct. 1.

"It's been great to kind of get on the same page as Phoenix and San Antonio," Mougenel said. "It's been exciting to be included and to get the chance to coach up here. It's definitely an organization that is extremely committed to developing their players. It's been great for Keith and I to both be here and understand the culture here, which is similar to ours."

Despite losing to his predecessor, Mougenel said he enjoyed facing off against Gulutzan as the two have bonded since Gulutzan's departure after last season.

Gulutzan amassed a 254-124-55 regular season record and led Las Vegas to the postseason five times in six seasons, but he has remained committed to helping his successor continue the Wranglers' winning ways.

"Gully's been absolutely amazing with me," Mougenel said. "He's been a huge help in a lot of the recruiting and the kind of guy that I call to bounce ideas off of. Gully is Gully. He's a great coach, but he's an even better person."

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