Las Vegas Wranglers Goalie Michael Ouzas

LAS VEGAS , Nev. – The Las Vegas Wranglers are betting for success in the playoffs with Goaltender Michael Ouzas.   Ouzas has been an integral part of the Wranglers team since his acquisition in the 2009-10 season from the Reading Royals.
 
Ouzas, a 26-year old native of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, began playing hockey in his hometown at the age of a seven.   As a child, playing street hockey with his friends in the neighborhood, he liked to be the goalie. He knew after the fifth or sixth league game as a kid, that goaltending was his favorite position.   He never changed his mind.    
 
He played in 129 career OHL games from 2002-2006 and was named OHL Goaltender of the Year in 2005.   He then went on to play at University of New Brunswick, where he led the team to consecutive National Finals, winning gold in 2007-08 and silver in 2006-07.
 
His advancement into professional hockey began with the now defunct Fresno Falcons in 2008, in which he was subsequently traded to the Royals later in the season. To date, Ouzas has appeared in 129 professional career games, posting a 57-59-3-4 record with 3.01 goals-against-average and 0.905 save percentage overall.
 
Currently, as a member of the Las Vegas Wranglers, Ouzas has had a strong season. He appeared in 41 games, and finished the season with a 20-18-0-2 record, with 2.53 goals-against-average and 0.915 save percentage, including a single shut-out.   He is in the top six in goals-against and save percentage in the league.
 
“It’s been a pretty good year,” said Ouzas.   “As long as we are healthy, we are a really strong team.   It’s our goal to play the best we can, and work hard.”
 
Ouzas is known for his passion in the net.   He is not afraid to take care of himself when necessary, as he has demonstrated by dropping the gloves a time or two in his career.    But most important to him, is the fact that winning is such a driver for him.
 
“I love winning.   Having a chance to work hard and win is important”, he said. “I try to be composed when I play, but my ultimate goal is to win.”
 
Wranglers Coach Ryan Mougenel had a good idea of what he was getting when he acquired Ouzas, since Mougenel had been Coach Matt Thomas’s assistant coach while in the Falcons organization, where Ouzas had played.  
 
Ouzas was happy to go to work for Mougenel.
 
“He’s a great coach. He really puts a lot of time and hard work into the club. I’ve worked for him for almost three years now, so we know each other pretty well.”
 
“Ouzas is an emotionally charged goalie. He is one of the most competitive goalies I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to get goals on him,” said his former Coach Matt Thomas, presently of the Stockton Thunder.
 
Ouzas’ skills have been noticed by the AHL, as he appeared in a Houston Aeros game earlier in the season on a professional try-out.   He was also listed as a back-up goaltender for the Peoria Rivermen and the San Antonio Rampage during the season.
 
Anyone that has ventured to Las Vegas, the city that never sleeps, or has heard the statements, “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” will wonder how a group of young hockey players can keep out of trouble.
 
“There are a lot of responsible guys on this team, and it’s a great organization to work in,” said Ouzas of his well grounded teammates.
 
Ouzas doesn’t seem to let any of the city life distract him.   He doesn’t seem to be interested in all that extra wildness the city has to offer. He prefers to just hang out with the guys and work on his skills.   And who wouldn’t love the Nevada weather, especially someone that grew up in frigid winters of Canada.
 
“We usually just hang out by a pool.”   He shared when asked what he did in off-ice time.
 
The goalkeepers mask is generally a reflection of his personality, combined with his team.   Ouzas’ mask is no different.   He and Derrick Gilders of Gilders Designs in London, Ontario, brainstormed about the design. Ouzas knew that he wanted it to reflect the city of Las Vegas.   They shot ideas back and forth and the result idea is an original.   The detail work by the artist is exceptional.   On the front chin area is the famous Las Vegas sign, capped by snow.   On the sides are towering casino’s topped with snow.   The front, top area is an artists rendering of the characters from the recent movie “Hangover”, which is situated in Las Vegas.   The rendering includes the four main characters, and a baby in sunglasses.
 
Ouzas is looking forward to playing in the post-season and is prepared to do what ever it takes to get the win.  
 
“It was a hard fought season.   Now we have to prepare for the playoffs and get on the right track [mentally].   Keeping positive is important.”
 
In personally preparing for the upcoming playoffs, Ouzas said, “I can only control playing well and taking care of my game and do what I need to win.”
 
Judging by his passion and winning spirit, he has the right attitude. Perhaps he’ll some day get a chance to play for his childhood favorite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
 
 
Contact the writer Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com