HOCKEY: First-year Wranglers excelling on ice, in attendance numbers

First-year Wranglers excelling on ice, in attendance numbers

Unbeaten in its first 13 home games, the expansion Las Vegas Wranglers professional ice hockey team has exceeded all expectations on the ice.

With close to 2,000 season ticket holders and an average crowd of around 4,600 fans per game, the Wranglers have also excelled in attendance at the sparkling new Orleans Arena.

"We're off to a great start, and everyone says hockey doesn't really take off until after the first of the year," Wranglers vice-president Billy Johnson said. "We had hoped to be at 2,200 season tickets to open the season, but we got off to a really late start in the summer, and we had hoped for 4,200 a game in nightly attendance, so it's nice to know we're over that already and bigger crowds should be coming.

"We have a good hockey product in a tremendous building and I think we have the groundwork in our management and marketing plans to really cater to our long-term viability."

Several season ticket holders on hand for a recent win over Long Beach seemed more than satisfied with their decision to purchase season tickets, which range from $480 in the Family Zone to $1,200 for Glass Seating.

They also praised the prices and easy access to the 7,773-seat Orleans Arena, which drew rave reviews, and were also pleased with the team's play and chances for long-term success in a town that seems to dispose of minor league sports franchises the way a slot machine eats up coins.

"This town loves a winner and as long as the team stays competitive, I don't think they'll have a problem making money or getting people to come out," said Mary Spence, a former Las Vegas Thunder season ticket holder who was at the game with her 12-year-old son, Aeron. "I've always been a huge hockey fan and I've been watching hockey in Vegas since I was a little kid, when the Gamblers were here. I miss hockey, because you don't get to see much of it out here.

"I think they've put together a real good team in an up-and-coming league and I like the venue. It's well centralized, it's easy to get to and it's not real expensive. I think it's great entertainment and it's good for the kids. My boy's becoming a big hockey fan."

Spence and others said the Orleans Arena features a more intimate atmosphere than the Thomas & Mack Center, where the Thunder used to play. The large venue was one reason why the Thunder folded, Johnson said.

"The expense base was way too high for the building and the league they were in," Johnson said. "And the building was just too big for the product. If you put 4,600 in here, it looks full."

The Wranglers -- whose games feature crowd participation contests and entertainment between periods, among other promotions like a recent midnight game -- attracted 7,208 fans to its season-opening win over Bakersfield, Calif., but crowds half that size still give the place a festive atmosphere.

"I didn't expect such a turnout. I went to a few (Anaheim Mighty) Ducks games, and Anaheim plays at The Pond, but this isn't much below it," said Al Smith, who was using season ticket holder Al Ciaglia's seats for a recent game.

Scott Holper, whose parents purchased season tickets, also enjoys the atmosphere at the Orleans Arena, along with his friend, Ivo.

"I work in promotions and value in Vegas is back," Ivo said. "Out of all the venues in town, the drinks are the best here, the food prices are the best, the access is great and they have one of the best ticket prices for a venue. I think this team is going to be here for a long time."

Holper, who said his mother and grandmother also enjoy going to the games, said his family is full of hockey fanatics.

"It's a prime-time family event here. It's fun for the whole family," he said. "There's something for everybody, and the drinks are awesome."

John Sand, who used to own season tickets to the Colorado Avalanche, works as an usher for some games and buys tickets when he's not working.

"You can't beat the price and I love the hockey. I think it's right up there with the NHL. I haven't seen a bad game," he said. "There isn't a bad seat in this place and I think this is what Las Vegas needed. There's gambling and overpriced shows, so we need some reasonably priced family entertainment."

Bob and Pat Dever, who used to own season tickets to the Detroit Red Wings, were one of the first in line to buy season tickets for the Wranglers and enjoyed a recent game with their daughter, Lindsay, and her grandmother.

"I think it's going to be big here. We'll have (season tickets) for every year. Everything's first class," said Bob Dever, who owns the Philly Pub on Charleston Boulevard and Rancho Drive. "We bring guests from the bar and everyone likes it. Everyone I've brought buys tickets and comes again to see a game.

"It's a better brand of hockey (than the Thunder) and they made (the arena) the perfect size. You could have 5,000 people at the Thomas & Mack and it looked like nobody was there."

Lindsay Dever, a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, advised all women to attend the games.

"Single ladies should come because the guys are really cute," she said. "I like the hockey, too, not just the guys. The hockey's exciting and it's a really nice arena. It's new, the seats are comfortable and the arena's small."

Lindsay said she and her sister Samantha, also a student at UNLV, compete for tickets so they can bring their friends.

"I always try to get my friends to go, but my sister gets the tickets," she said. "It's fun, even if you don't know much about hockey. You can get loud, and they do a lot of promos, like chuck a puck."

Joe Signore, a local restaurant owner, was very impressed with his first game.

"This is great. I've never been this close to the action," he said. "I'll definitely come back. I was never really a hockey fan, but I might become one now."

The Wranglers -- who play in the ECHL, a notch below the AHL, which is right below the NHL -- are scheduled to host the Peoria Rivermen at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Those interested in tickets, which start at $12, can call 471-7825 or visit lasvegas wranglers.com.


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