• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
NHL Expansion

NHL Hits Jackpot With Vegas Expansion

By Thomas Conroy March 9th, 2017

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Las Vegas has been professional sports’ “dirty little secret” as most leagues love the area as a franchise destination because of the entertainment. But, they hate also hate being partnered with a city best known for its legalized gambling.

Vegas Golden Knights are the newest franchise to join the NHL.

This didn’t deter the NHL from setting up shop in town. The Vegas Golden Knights are set to debut in the 2017-18 season, and the League is ready to capitalize on an untapped sports market. The local fan base is eager to finally cheer for a major professional sports franchise that they can call their own. Suddenly, Las Vegas becomes the NHL’s favorite away date on next year’s calendar.

Hockey isn’t unknown in the desert, as the city has supported several successful minor league hockey franchises over the years. Here is an abbreviated history of how the sport became so popular in Las Vegas.

A Little Las Vegas History

Las Vegas Gamblers (1968-71)

In 1968, a group of displaced Northeasterners, Midwesterners and Canadians, who longed to get back on the ice and recapture their love of the sport, decided to form a team and play in an adult amateur hockey league. Thus, the Las Vegas Gamblers were born and became very instrumental in introducing the sport of hockey to the Southwest. Their sudden popularity encouraged the Gamblers to join a semi-pro league (Pacific Southwest Hockey League) in only their third year of existence. Unfortunately, team management couldn’t keep the business afloat and was forced to fold the franchise following the 1971 season.

Las Vegas Outlaws (1971-73)

In the fall of 1971, the Las Vegas Outlaws began play in an independent hockey league. A little-known fact about the Outlaws is they hold the best single season winning percentage of any Las Vegas professional hockey franchise with a 29-8-4 record. Their success was short-lived as the Outlaws were out of business following the 1973 season.

Las Vegas Thunder (1993-99)

The Former Home of the Las Vegas Thunder By Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0,

It would take twenty years before another professional hockey league would consider placing a franchise in Las Vegas. The International Hockey League (IHL) awarded a team to the city, thus the Las Vegas Thunder came on the scene. Team management quickly announced their home games would be played at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. Local interest grew as attendance averaged over 8,000 per night. These numbers caught the eye of NHL executives, who immediately put Las Vegas on the short list for a possible future franchise location site. Team success suddenly turned into chaos when UNLV school officials refused to negotiate a new lease with the Thunder prior to the 1999 season. With no other arenas available in town, team owners decided to fold the franchise.

Las Vegas Wranglers (2003-15)

In 2003, the ECHL took over the struggling WCHL and immediately awarded an expansion franchise to the city of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Wranglers became the city’s most successful professional sports franchise to date. They were the first team in ECHL history to record three-consecutive 100-point seasons. All of this success came under the tutelage of Glen Gulutzan, who is the current head coach of the Calgary Flames.

Once again, arena issues doomed another Vegas hockey franchise as the Orleans Arena informed the Wranglers that their lease wouldn’t be renewed after the 2014-15 season. Frantically, team officials tried to secure a new deal with several local hotels but those negotiations broke down. This forced the Wranglers owner to cease operations later that summer.

[irp]

The Blueprint for Success Already in Place

Jason Zucker Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild F Jason Zucker (Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

In comparison to other non-traditional hockey markets, Las Vegas is ahead of the curve on becoming a successful franchise because they have a solid fan base already in place. Ask any top executive on how to grow a sport and they will say it’s all about the kids.

The rise of youth hockey leagues in Las Vegas is quite astounding, as the number of travel squads has quadrupled over the past decade. It will take a rising star like Auston Matthews to emerge from a budding crop of young players that will help develop a wider interest in hockey. Yes, several local stars have gone on to play at the collegiate level and Minnesota Wild Jason Zucker (second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Draft) lived in the Las Vegas area until the age of 11. His family moved to California and Michigan to benefit from the quality of hockey played at the midget and high school level.

Las Vegas had been continually passed over by the four major sports leagues until the NHL made the commitment. Now, you can expect the other leagues to follow. The Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion annually hosts the NBA Summer League, and everyone expects a franchise in town by the end of the decade. The Oakland Raiders are trying to resuscitate a doomed stadium deal with Las Vegas government officials that would allow them to relocate by the 2019 season.

The NHL has a rare opportunity of becoming the marquee act in a major US city, instead of being the third or fourth sports option in town. The other sports leagues will watch intently and Las Vegas is ready to shine.

  • Tags
  • Auston Matthews
  • Glen Gulutzan
  • Jason Zucker
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Facebook Comments

Editor’s Picks
7 Biggest NHL Players in Today's Game

7 Biggest NHL Players in Today's Game

64550
10 Potential Names for a New Seattle NHL Franchise

10 Potential Names for a New Seattle NHL Franchise

84978
Recent Posts
Dec 13th 1:43 AM
Arizona Coyotes

Keller Scores Twice, First-Place Coyotes Beat Blackhawks 5-2

Dec 13th 1:33 AM
Calgary Flames

Gaudreau Scores Twice in Flames’ 4-2 Victory over Maple Leafs

Dec 13th 1:23 AM
Edmonton Oilers

Staal, Kunin Help Wild Recover to Beat Oilers 6-5

Dec 13th 1:13 AM
St Louis Blues

Sundqvist Has Goal, Assist as Blues Beat Golden Knights 4-2

Dec 13th 1:13 AM
New York Rangers

Rangers Spoil Boughner’s Debut with 6-3 Win over Sharks

Dec 13th 1:04 AM
Carolina Hurricanes

Pettersson, Markstrom Lead Canucks to 1-0 Victory over Hurricanes in Overtime

Dec 13th 1:03 AM
Boston Bruins

Stamkos Scores 2 to Lead Lightning past Slumping Bruins 3-2

Dec 13th 12:53 AM
Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Snap 12-Game Skid with 5-2 Win over Jets

Dec 13th 12:43 AM
Florida Panthers

Islanders Overpower Panthers to Sweep Season Series

Dec 13th 12:33 AM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Rust Scores OT Winner, Leads Penguins past Blue Jackets 1-0

Stay in Touch
Contact Us

Via our Newsletters
RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Our Partners
HFBoards

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

Join over 18 000 Subscribers of our free bi-weekly Newsletter.

© The Hockey Writers 2018. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • Atlantic Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St Louis Blues
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle NHL
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • Vancouver Canucks
  • Store
  • The THW Archives
  • Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • The Goalie Page
  • NHL Salary Cap Information
  • Join Our Team
  • Search THW