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Wranglers Claim Forward Michael Neal off Waivers

April 13, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas - With just one more game remaining in the 2013-14 regular season, the Las Vegas Wranglers have claimed former Bakersfield Condors' forward Michael Neal off waivers. Neal, who was selected by the Dallas Stars in 2007 NHL Entry Draft, has spent time with both the Idaho Steelheads and Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, and totaled 22 career games at the AHL level. The Whitby, Ontario native is in the midst of a career-year, setting a personal best in goals with 16 and tying a career mark in points with 32 through 56 games with the Condors this season. He is also the younger brother of James Neal, forward and 2011-12 NHL First Team All-Star for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"Michael is a big guy who plays physical, can handle the puck and make plays," said Wranglers Head Coach and General Manager Mike Madill. "He's been a thorn in our side for a few years now and we're lucky to get a player like him this late in the season."

Neal, 25, has totaled 268 ECHL games over his career, amassing 46 goals and 73 assists (119 points) to go along with 132 penalty minutes over that time. In 2007, he was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round (#149) of the NHL Entry Level Draft. After finishing his OHL career with the Belleville Bulls and Sarnia Sting in 2009, totaling 33 points (14g, 19a) in 164 career games, Neal made his way to the professional circuit within the Stars organization.

In 2009-10, his first full season at the professional level, Neal spent six games with the Texas Stars of the AHL where he posted two penalty minutes, as well as 57 games with the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads, totaling five goals and 10 assists. The following year he again spent more time with Texas, burying a trio of goals over 16 games, and adding 15 more points (6g, 9a) at the ECHL level in 46 games with the Steelheads.

In 2011-12 Neal spent the season exclusively with Idaho, grabbing 25 points (7g, 18a) to go along with 36 penalty minutes over 63 games. The 6-foot-2 forward also had his most productive postseason that year, grabbing eight points (3g, 5a) over nine playoff games, a run that was ended when the Steelheads fell to the Las Vegas Wranglers - captained that year by current Head Coach Mike Madill - in the second round of postseason play.

Neal then made his way over to the Orlando Solar Bears in 2012-13, where he posted his highest career professional point total, registering 12 goals and 20 assists (32 points) over 46 games. He then repeated that same point total with the Condors in 2013-14, this time over 56 ECHL games. The Condors released Neal on April 10, 2014, where he was picked up by Las Vegas shortly after.

Neal is expected to make his debut Friday night when the team opens their quest for the ECHL's Kelly Cup in in Alaska. The Wranglers will be facing off against the West's number one seed, the Alaska Aces, in a best-of-seven opening round series. After games one (4/18) and two (4/19) are concluded, the team will make their way back to Las Vegas for games three through five on Wednesday, April 23, Friday April 25 and if necessary, Saturday, April 26.

Las Vegas Wranglers 2013-14 playoff tickets are on sale now! With five different options for groups of 10 or more, a Wranglers playoff game is the perfect way to celebrate with friends, host a unique corporate outing, or fundraise for your organization! Individual adult tickets start at $21 while youths are just $8, with special options for discounts on "Strip Tickets" for the entire postseason schedule! Groups of 10-plus can also save 35 percent off game-day ticket prices, and luxury packages start at just $300 with food and drink options available. For more information, contact the Wranglers front office at (702) 471-7825 or visit wranglers.co . Don't forget to find the Wranglers on Facebook and follow @WranglersLV on Twitter for the latest updates!

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