McKenna Makes NHL Debut With Tampa Bay

February 4, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers announced today that former goalie Mike McKenna has been signed by the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning. McKenna made his NHL debut last night in New York against the Islanders.

Two-time ECHL All-Star and former Wranglers' goaltender Mike McKenna became the 392nd player to play in the National Hockey League after the ECHL when he made his debut with Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, stopping all 11 shots he faced after replacing Karri Ramo in the second period.

"I was a little jittery, but it didn't last very long," said McKenna. "After I faced the first shot, I was fine."

McKenna is the second former ECHL netminder in the past week to make his debut with Tampa Bay. Selected in the sixth round (#172 overall) by the Nashville Predators in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, the 25-year-old McKenna was 27-4-7 with five shutouts, a goals-against average of 2.21 and a save percentage of .927 in 38 games for Las Vegas in 2006-07. In addition to being named to his second consecutive ECHL All-Star Game, he was named Second Team All-ECHL and finished second in voting for Goaltender of the Year and Most Valuable Player.

McKenna was 19-2-1 with a shutout and a goals-against average of 2.13 while finishing fifth in the league with a save percentage of .923 in 25 regular season games for Las Vegas as a rookie in 2005-06. He played in four games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs going 1-1 with a goals-against average of 3.12 and a save percentage of .905. He was voted to the ECHL All-Star Game, but was unable to play in the game after being called up to Norfolk where he was 4-2-1 with a goals-against average of 3.86 and a save percentage of .883 in seven games. In all, McKenna was 46-6-8 in 63 appearances for the Wranglers, posting a 2.17 goals against average, a .925 save percentage and six shutouts.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, McKenna has played in 76 career AHL games with Milwaukee, Omaha, Portland and Norfolk, posting a 39-26-3 record with four shutouts. He has a 3.01 career goals-against average. McKenna has played in six career Calder Cup Playoff games. Last season, McKenna finished tenth in the AHL with 24 wins in Portland.

McKenna played college hockey at St. Lawrence University where he appeared in 95 games and posted a 32-44-8 record with a 2.85 goals-against average. He is the school's career record holder for games played and minutes (5,236).

McKenna becomes the fifth former Wrangler to play in the NHL, joining fellow goalies John Curry (Pittsburgh 08) and Dany Sabourin (Pittsburgh 05). Defensemen Tyler Sloan (Washington 08) and Adam Pardy (Calgary 08) both made their NHL debuts this season. Sloan, Pardy and McKenna each played on the Wranglers record setting team of 2005-06. Las Vegas set team records for most wins (53) and points (112) in 2005-06.

The Wranglers will be in Victoria for their next four games, starting Wednesday at 7:05 PM. Las Vegas will also play on Friday, Saturday and Monday in Victoria at 7:05 PM. The Wranglers return home on Tuesday, February 10th, to host Ontario at 7:30 PM.

2008-09 season seat packages are on sale 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. Individual game tickets are on sale now at (702) 284-7777.



ECHL Stories from February 4, 2009


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