LAS VEGAS, Nev. – As the start of the ECHL preseason creeps ever closer and closer by the day, the entire league and especially the ECHL are working hard to finalize their rosters for the upcoming campaign. GMs and head coaches are making the rosters as deep as the league rules and scouting reports will allow. The Las Vegas Wranglers have done a great job of solidifying their roster, adding a Wranglers veteran, a few more rookies and refurbishing their behind the bench staff. A great addition to the Wranglers for the upcoming season is forward Josh Lunden. Lunden, who started his career in the BCHL with Chilliwack, before a collegiate career with University of Alaska-Anchorage, spent part of the 2010-11 season as a Wrangler, appearing in eleven games while earning eight points and as many penalty minutes. Lunden has also spent quite a bit of time in the AHL, all as a member of the San Antonio Rampage. Hopefully Lunden is able to stay around for more of the ECHL season before making his inevitable journey back up to the AHL. Also joining the Wranglers for the upcoming season is forward Sean Wiles. Wiles, who will begin his professional career in Las Vegas, was a teammate at the University of Alaska-Anchorage of Lunden, Luka Vidmar, another off-season rookie acquisition by the Wranglers and also Trevor Hunt, who suited up for three games last season in Nevada. Wiles started his hockey career playing for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL for two full seasons before heading to the UA-A for four seasons, compiling a record of 48 points and 79 penalty minutes in 111 games. Wiles joins a very impressive list of players committing to the Wranglers for the beginning of their professional hockey careers. Yet another signing for the upcoming season featuring a player trying to make his full season pro hockey debut is natural left wing Scott Campbell. Campbell, who suited up for six games late last season on an Amateur Tryout for Houston of the AHL, comes off a collegiate career at U Mass- Lowell, where he suited up for 126 games, earning 85 points and 80 penalty minutes. Campbell started his hockey career with Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CJHL, where he earned the Most Goals and Most Points awards, earning 107 points in just 41 games. In news behind the bench, the Las Vegas Wranglers have announced the new equipment manager and athletic trainer for the upcoming season, with both men occupying the positions last year for other leagues. The newly announced athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach for the upcoming season is Quentin Higgins. Higgins, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in strength and conditioning from University of Findlay, and received his master’s degree in athletic training from Weber State University, makes a jump this season from the collegiate circuit. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Higgins was previously the strength and conditioning coach for the hockey programs at Colgate University and University of Iowa. Joining Higgins and Coach Ryan Mougenel behind the bench, is newly appointed equipment manager Jeff Lewis. Lewis, a graduate of Bowling Green State University, is no stranger to professional hockey. From 2007-2009, Lewis served as the equipment manager for the now defunct Phoenix Roadrunners of the ECHL, then jumping to the NHL where he was the assistant equipment manager for the Washington Capitals since 2009. Lewis also pads his hockey resume by serving in the same capacity for the US national hockey team from 2005-2007. Yet another signing that involves a player beginning his pro career is defenseman Michael Busto. Busto, who played last season for Bolzano Foxes HC of the Italian Seria A, started his hockey career in the WHL. Suiting up for Moose Jaw, Swift Current, and Kootenay of the WHL, Busto played 331 games in the league, earning 174 points and 413 penalty minutes over six seasons. After leaving the WHL, Busto then played for Charlotte and Elmira of the ECHL, playing for the former for two full seasons. A holder of both Canadian and Italian passports, Busto was involved in the trade that sent him from the New York Rangers to the Montreal Canadians, along with former Ace Scott Gomez. Going the other way in that trade was former Wrangler and current Tingsryd (Sweden) forward, Chris Higgins. During his time in Seria A, Busto also shared ice time with former Steelhead Matt Zaba and former Ace Nick Mazzolini. While the news coming from the Wranglers camp lately has been quick and informative, there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. With head coach Ryan Mougenel as the coach, assistant coach, GM, immigration officer, etc., his work is definitely cut out for him. If the already announced signings are any indication, the Wranglers squad for the upcoming season should be one of the best ever fielded by the organization. Let’s just hope that the rash of call-ups of the last couple of seasons tapers off early for this one. In less than positive transaction news, some former Wrangler players have decided to move on from last season. One such player making a move is Tim Kraus. Kraus, who played for Ontario and Victoria before coming to Las Vegas late last season, makes a move to Wichita Thunder of the CHL. Kraus played seven games for the Wranglers late last season, netting one point on an assist and only one minor penalty. Kraus joins a Wichita team that includes former Condor Erick Lizon, former Ontario defenseman Andrew Martens, former Ace and Thunder forward Colin Hemingway and former Falcon, Ace and Thunder forward Brett Hemingway. Also, former Wranglers enforcer and top-notch pugilist Tim Spencer has decided to join former Wrangler Blair Riley at the ECHL expansion Chicago Express. Spencer, who suited up last year for Elmira and Florida of the ECHL as well as Binghamton of the AHL, played for the Wranglers during the 2008-09 season. Spencer, in his only season as a Wrangler, suited up for 51 games while netting eight points and setting a Wranglers season high of 196 penalty minutes. Spencer, a renowned fighter in every league he has played in, joined such illustrious former Wranglers as Adam Huxley, Shawn Limpright and Ryan Donnally as the Wranglers all-time leader in fighting majors. In addition to those, former Wrangler Mike Hamilton has made the move to the Fife Flyers of the EIHL. Hamilton, who played as a Wrangler for the 2008-09 season, joins Fife from Vipiteno of the Italian 2nd division, where he played last season. In his only season as a Wrangler, Hamilton suited up for 38 games, netting 19 points and 70 penalty minutes. Hamilton joins former Salmon King Matt Siddall and former Thunder goaltender Garrett Zemlak in Scotland for his second season overseas. Also, former Wrangler Sean Flanagan has decided to play for the Quad City Mallards of the CHL. Flanagan, a center who suited up for four games late last season for Las Vegas, without a point or any penalty minutes in those games, did not receive a contract after his Amateur Tryout with the Wranglers ended. Flanagan had previously finished his collegiate career with St. Lawrence University, suiting up for 121 games, netting only twelve points and 53 penalty minutes. Sean Menton, a Wrangler last season for a short three games, has just signed with the 1000 Islands Privateers of the Federal Hockey League. Menton, who came to Vegas after a call-up from the Troy Bruins of the AAHL, had previously skated in various Canadian provincial leagues and attended Stockton Thunder training camp early last season. Menton returned to junior club Battle Creek Revolution of the AAHL to win a Davidson Cup, and is a native of Los Angeles, California and currently holds dual U.S. and Irish citizenship. Relatively longtime Wrangler, Justin Bernhardt has also had his playing rights traded from the Phoenix Coyotes to the Florida Panthers. Bernhardt, who suited up for the Wranglers from 2009 until last season, played 76 games at the Orleans Arena, netting 36 points and 79 penalty minutes. Bernhardt, a former WHL all-star for Prince Albert, is listed on the roster of San Antonio of the AHL. In San Antonio, Bernhardt would join former Wrangler Tyson Strachan and former Steelhead Greg Rallo. Contact the writer at Josh.Hoopaugh@prohockeynews.com
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