NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Las Vegas Agrees To Terms With A Defender And A Center For 2008-09 Season

August 13, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL) - Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


LAS VEGAS, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers® announced today that defenseman Jason Dest and center Brandon Kaleniecki have agreed to terms for the 2008-09 season. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"I fully expect Jason Dest and Brandon Kaleniecki to play significant roles in our team's success this coming season," said General Manager Glen Gulutzan. "Dest is an exceptional skater who is a shutdown defender. We only expect him to be better in 08-09. Brandon Kaleniecki is a great character guy who can score 20 goals in a season. Brandon competes hard every night and is not afraid to get in the corners."

The 23-year-old Dest enters his second season of professional hockey after finishing third best on the team with +20 as a rookie in Las Vegas. In 50 regular season games, the Fraser, MI native handed out four assists and finished fifth best on the team with 82 penalty minutes. In January of 2008, Dest was selected to participate in the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game in Stockton, CA. Dest made nine appearances during the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs, scoring his first career goal in a second-round game at Alaska.

Dest played four seasons at the University of Michigan where he had 35 points (5g-30a) and 152 penalty minutes in 164 games from 2003-07. Dest ranks tied for sixth all-time on the University of Michigan's career games played list. During his senior season, Dest acted as the team's alternate captain while posting collegiate highs for points with 11.

Kaleniecki returns for his second season with Las Vegas and his third professional season overall. In his first full professional season, the 26-year old right wing played in 60 games with the Wranglers, tallying 30 points. His 16 goals finished fifth highest on the team. The centerman made five appearances in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, scoring twice and adding an assist for three points.

The third-year forward was originally acquired on July 17th in a trade with the Gwinnett Gladiators for financial considerations. Due to injuries as a rookie, Kaleniecki only played 19 games for the Gladiators in 2006-07. He posted five goals and six assists for 11 points with Gwinnett. The Livonia, MI native also played in four playoff games in 2007, posting a goal and an assist. Prior to joining Gwinnett, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound forward played four seasons at the University of Michigan. In 159 collegiate games, Kaleniecki scored 64 goals and added 36 assists for 100 points, and added 157 penalty minutes. As a freshman in 2003, Kaleniecki's Wolverines advanced to the NCAA's Frozen Four.

2008-09 season ticket packages are selling now at (702) 471-PUCK. The Wranglers play all 36 regular season home games at the Orleans Arena, located at the Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue. Opening night is scheduled for Thursday, October 23rd at the Orleans Arena

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from August 13, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Las Vegas Wranglers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central