10 greatest Las Vegas Thunder, Wranglers players

This week, Las Vegas is assembling its first NHL roster. Through the expansion draft, the Vegas Golden Knights will acquire a group of players who will become the faces of the next chapter of professional hockey in the city.

Since 1993, there has been professional hockey in Las Vegas in some form for all but six years. Between the Thunder of the IHL and the Wranglers of the ECHL, there have been a number of players who impressed during their time in Sin City.

The Thunder operated from 1993 to 1999, twice winning the IHL’s regular-season title in 1993-94 and 1995-96. The Wranglers ran from 2003 until 2014, winning a regular-season title in 2006-07 and the conference championship in 2008 and 2012. There are a number of players who played key roles in these successful runs for Las Vegas hockey teams.

As we await the players who will look to contribute to the NHL chapter of Las Vegas hockey, here is a combined look back on the top 10 players in Las Vegas Thunder and Wranglers history.

10. Tyler Mosienko

Mosienko appeared in games during four seasons with the Wranglers, and was an impact player in each. He led the team in scoring with 48 points in 50 games during the 2008-09 season, and was at least in the top three for his team in each of his other seasons.

He was also a key contributor in the Wranglers’ run to the Kelly Cup Final in the 2008-09 season. He had 20 points in 21 playoff games before his team lost to the Cincinnati Cyclones in six games.

9. Joe Fallon

Fallon spent parts of three seasons in the Wranglers net, and his solid play during those seasons earned him numerous AHL call-ups. Overall, he played in 123 games, winning 73 of them.

His time with Las Vegas peaked during the 2011-12 season. In the playoffs, he carried the Wranglers to their second Kelly Cup Final, where they came up short again. During the regular season that year he led the ECHL in wins with 30 and was named to the All-ECHL second team.

8. Mike Madill 

Madill is the Wranglers’ all-time leader in games played, with 336 across five seasons. He was also a member of both Kelly Cup finalist squads, captaining the latter in 2012.

His 131 points as a Wrangler mark the most by a defenseman in team history. He retired as a player after 2012-13, and then was the head coach and general manager of the team in its final season.

7. Eldon “Pokey” Reddick

Reddick spent two seasons with the Thunder, playing in 87 regular season games and 25 playoff games. Both years he played a majority of his team’s playoff games en route to defeats in the conference finals.

In the 1995-96 season, he backstopped the team to both the division and league regular-season titles.  That year he won 27 games with a goals-against average of 2.94 and .901 save percentage. His 50 wins across two seasons is tied for the most in franchise history, along with another member of this list.

6. Mark Magliarditi

Magliarditi finished his hockey career in Las Vegas with the Wranglers. He played in 149 games across four seasons, the most among any goaltender in franchise history.

He won 83 games during that time. These were highlighted by 29- and 34-win seasons in 2003-04 and 2005-06, respectively.

5. Adam Miller

Miller is the leading scorer in Wranglers franchise history. He scored 222 points in 206 games across four seasons with the team. He was a member of both conference championship teams as he joined the team late in 2008 after completing his collegiate career at Ferris State.

He had two remarkable regular seasons with the Wranglers. In the 2009-10 season he had 86 points in 72 games. After a stint in Europe, he returned to Vegas in 2011-12 and scored 84 points in 71 games, which ranked second in the ECHL that year.

4. Jean-Marc Richard

Richard is the Thunder’s all-time leading scorer among defensemen with 157 points. His 222 games played also rank first among Thunder blueliners.

Richard’s best season came in 1994-95 when he scored 57 points in 81 games. These statistics earned him the honor of the IHL’s Ironman Award, which according to the Internet Hockey Database “was awarded to the player who has played in every one of his team’s games and displayed outstanding offensive and defensive skills.”

3. Ken Quinney

Quinney was the high-scoring counterpart of the top player on this list. He was a consistent producer, logging 413 points in 376 games during his five seasons with the Thunder. He ranks second in games played, assists and points in franchise history.

While the top member of this list was more of a playmaker, Quinney was able to demonstrate his goal-scoring ability much more often.His 189 goals ranks first in franchise history. He led the team in scoring during his first season (1993-94), scoring 55 goals and 53 assists for 108 points in 79 games. That year he was named to the IHL first all-star team.

2. Clint Malarchuk

Malarchuk ended his lengthy career in Las Vegas, appearing in games across four seasons with the Thunder, while being a consistent presence during the first two. He then went on to coach the team, first as an assistant and eventually the head coach in the homestretch of 1997-98. Malarchuk’s No. 30 jersey was retired by the Thunder in 1996.

He was most prominent in the team’s first season, during which he won 34 of 55 games, en route to both regular-season and division titles. His 34 wins led the IHL that year. Malarchuk holds the franchise record for games played by a goalie (97) and shares the record for wins (50).

1. Patrice Lefebvre

Lefebvre was a prolific point-scorer for the Thunder throughout the franchise’s lifespan. He led the team in scoring in four of its six seasons and aggregated 553 points in 429 games, which ranks first in franchise history.

Lefebvre was a consistent playmaker for the Thunder, earning nearly twice as many assists as goals in each season. His playmaking ability especially stood out during the 1997-98 season, when he had 27 goals and 89 assists. His 116 points led the IHL that season, and earned him league MVP honors.