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StumbleWranglers send Matt Kang to Johnstown Chiefs
Las Vegas to receive future compensation for 21-year-old forward
Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 | 6:25 p.m.
The Las Vegas Wranglers have traded forward Matt Kang to the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL American Conference for future considerations.
"We just think he's a young guy that needs a chance," Chiefs interim head coach and owner Neil Smith said.
The 21-year-old Kang tallied five points in 24 games this season for the Wranglers.
"This league is all about giving people chances," Smith said. "We think he has a chance to blossom here."
Kang is a first-year professional who played parts of six seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with three teams.
Smith, formerly general manager of the New York Rangers for 11 years, noted Kang's quick hands and offensive skills as traits that enticed the Chiefs to acquire him.
Kang is a former teammate of current Chiefs goaltender John Murray. The two played together for the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs during the 2007-08 season.
"We're expecting a guy that's excited for a fresh start that will inject our lineup with his character and enthusiasm," Chiefs general manager Bill Bredin said.
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Well at least he will have a good coach to play with. I saw so much passion in him every time he was on the ice. Too bad our coach couldn't play him right.
Johnstown? The Winnipeg of the ECHL. Ouch!
Kang did have some offensive potential, but he never learned how to play both ways. He was always the last one back up the ice with no backchecking ability, and was always hanging around the blue line when the puck was in our defensive zone. He hung on to the puck too long and missed open players. Personally, I would not have played him much with those habits, and I don't think Moug had much choice. Hopefully we end up getting someone who will help us.
I guess I got my real answer about Matt, huh
Kang is gone we knew it was coming he hardly played but now the QUESTION IS who are the Wranglers going to get in his place, my josh can't we bring back just one more guy from last year. MOSI, CZUY, SPENCER, LIMPRIGHT,SPANG, DEST. MAKWAY, DECARO, LELANDE AND FISHER maybe one of them is very unhappy and would gladly come back a play for the Wranglers I know it is a stretch but dang we have to try....NEED HELP WITH OUR POWER PLAY....
Both this series with Idaho and the series in Utah Kang was "not on the roster" (I ran into him during 2nd intermission during Utah's Sat game). Maybe the past two weeks was his timeout, but knowing I rarely saw him on the ice he might've had other benchings and still hasn't learned to use his powers for good, and Moug decided to permanently bench him till the trade. I hope this is an eye opener for him and he doesn't view it as escaping the Wranglers. Good luck, Matt. Learn lots, have fun, be patient and don't expect things to work out overnight.
Best memory: when Kang and Bernhardt got kicked out of a game after simultaneous fights; the crowd gave them a standing O, and they waved as they skated off the ice. I wished I had taken a picture; you'd think they'd scored the winning goal, their smiles were so big!!
I rarely saw him play, but never knew what to think of him. He had some real wheels, but it seemed like he didn't always know what to do with the puck.
I do remember that Alaska series where he got in the fight...he seemed to enjoy himself :) In any case, good luck in Johnstown Matt!
vegasgal, how will getting any of the 3 goalies on your list help us on the powerplay? Spencer was not very good for us. He could fight, but we've got Hagel for that now.
Yes, we need powerplay help. And remember, we weren't that great on the powerplay under Gully. We just weren't last in the league, but the Wranglers have never won any awards over the years for their powerplay.
Wranglersfan, listed the goalies because Ouzas can't keep playing every game especially if we have three in a row, don't get wrong he has done a good job but everyone needs a rest 3 games in a row to much. I could have named 20 other players that are floating around the ECHL or AHL and they ARE NOT GOALIES just seems like we need more experience on the ice than what we have to help the power play. WE all can remember when the WRANGLERS were a pretty good team playing well together except in the power plays but they were WINNING GAMES THEN ALSO. Just wondered what happened. Mosi, Cuzy and Sprang could score on the power play.
I didn't see Matt play a lot. But, have to agree with Decoy, he didn't seem to know what to do with the puck once he got it, lacked passing skills.
I do wish him luck in this change.
Wranglers do need some experience and support on both ends of the ice.
The guys vegasgal mentioned...Mosi is over seas playing in Europe because he knew that here his sized would always be looked at as a detrament here in the states. Czuy will not come back to us due to the change in affiliation change. Spang would be a good guy to have return...where is he?
To answer your question regarding Dan Spang, LPN, he's playing in Germany.
My 2 cents on the Power Play, lets start 5 on 3 you need to be able to have quick puck movement more that players movement, so you need guys that can move the puck, make accurate passes and put the puck on the net. First group I would have Miller and Lawerence down low, Lukacevic in the middle, Orpik and Hazelwood up high. Second group Bourret and Prudden low, Neiszner middle, Krischuk and Brenhardt up high.
Should be able to score 80% of the time 5 on 3 and if not the goalie has stood on his head. We do not move the puck quick, he hold the puck, let everyone get back in position then make a pass. Even at this level their are some guys that can't handle a pass or make a pass.
Mosienko is playing in Germany with Spang. Czuy is in Stockton. He is on an AHL contract with Springfield. The only reason we had him last year was because we still had his rights. We couldn't keep them this year because he was on an AHL contract last year. It had nothing to do with an affiliation change. Limpright and DeCaro are in the CHL by choice and Limpright wouldn't help us anyway. Dest I heard a rumor he retired. LeLande is the property of the Columbus Blue Jackets so we couldn't have him anyway. Fisher I heard a rumor had a chance to come back but didn't.
About the only person who I think could have helped us from last year's team that isn't back (and as far as I know not in a better financial situation for themselves like Spang and Mosienko)is Sean Owens. I have no idea what happened to him.
You have to remember that every year there is a HUGE turnover. Having good young guys for multiple years is very rare. Personally, I'm surprised that Ned and Adam Miller are still with us.
Thanks for the info from everyone. It is good to know what is happening to former Wranglers.
So where does coach go for the guys that can shore up the edges from those who have left?
Sean Owens also retired and is working for a waste water company in Victoria.
LPN4LIFE: Perhaps we can sign some college kids since their season will be winding down soon. I believe thats how we got Miller back in 2008, and last year we had some solid signings that put some life into a pretty average squad. Let's hope we can do the same for 2010 - these college kids may not have pro experience but at least they'll bring some passion that at times is sadly lacking.
wranglers have always had the college kids come in for tryouts, i don't see that changing. every once in a while, we get someone who can really help us. maybe we'll get lucky with one this season, but i the odds are against it. the best kids play for the colleges that make the playoffs, and thus, can't help us during the end of our season.
yes, high turnover is the norm in this league, which is why it's difficult to create a dynasty and have great teams each year. remember season 2? we weren't that good and missed the playoffs. then season 3, bounced right back and won more games.
personally, i like seeing new guys each year. i like seeing them, a year or so down the road, on tv playing in the nhl. we've been pretty good in that area, especially goalie. i think we've had 3 make up to the big dance.
I have a question: what would make the sun delete your comment. Cause on the last page my comment was deleted, and I did not curse at all, i just said how i feel about the coach, and trust me it was school appropriate. So can somebody let me know why it was deleted?