Wranglers Make Flurry of Trades

Published on March 16, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


Las Vegas, NV- The Las Vegas Wranglers announced several trades today. Las Vegas traded center Kevin O'Flaherty to the Charlotte Checkers for the rights to defenseman Nic Bilotto. The Wranglers traded defenseman Kayle Short to the Peoria Rivermen for defenseman Craig Olynick. Las Vegas then packaged Olynick and forward Blaine Bablitz in a deal to the Toledo Storm for center Morten Ask.

"I felt I needed to solidify my center position," said Wranglers General Manager / Head Coach Glen Gulutzan. "I think by acquiring Ask, who is an ex-teammate of Eric Schneider, I have done that. After trading Short to get a centerman I needed another defenseman and I think I got one in Bilotto who is an elite defenseman at this level and should help us in the playoffs."

Bilotto has split time between the Springfield Falcons (AHL) and the Charlotte Checkers posting 42 points in 63 games overall. In 49 games with Charlotte Bilotto scored seven goals and set up 21 more for a total of 28 points. His +13 rating was the second highest on the team. In 14 games with the AHL's Falcons, the 26-year old defenseman posted three goals and seven assists for ten points. During his four-year career, Bilotto has played in 246 games posting 36 goals and 136 assists for 172 points. The Montreal native also has 505 penalty minutes during that span. Bilotto was drafted in the sixth round (#146 overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues. Bilotto was dealt for Kevin O'Flaherty who posted 15 points (4 G- 11A) in 32 games with the Wranglers. The Wranglers obtain Bilotto's ECHL rights, but he is currently loaned to Springfield of the AHL.

In a separate deal defenseman Kayle Short was traded to Peoria for defenseman Craig Olynick. Short played in 17 games for the Wranglers posting five assists and 18 penalty minutes.

Morten Ask joins the Wranglers after being acquired for defenseman Craig Olynick and forward Blaine Bablitz. Ask leaves as the Storm's leading scorer with 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 62 games played. The 23-year old center is in his second professional season after playing last year for the CHL's Laredo Bucks with current Wranglers forward Eric Schneider. The Oslo, Norway native represented Toledo at this year's ECHL 2004 Par-A-Dice All-Star game.

Las Vegas will continue their run for the Kelly Cup at home on Friday, March 19th and Saturday, March 20th against the Idaho Steelheads at 7:05 pm. Blue Man Group will perform during the First Intermission of Friday's game on March 19th and the Wranglers and KB Home will give away Tin Lunch Boxes to the first 1,500 children in attendance. Less than 2,000 seats remain for both games this weekend.

Now on sale, playoff seats for the 2004 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs starting April 6th. The playoff package includes all 13 possible home games dating up to May 23rd. Fans interested in purchasing Kelly Cup playoff seats may call (702)-471-7825 from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday. Seats range from $12.00-$30.00 plus tax.

Fans may also order regular season tickets by phone at (702) 284-7777 or on the web at www.orleansarena.com. Individual game tickets range from $12.00-$30.00 plus tax.

Birthday parties and group rates are available by calling (702) 471-7825. Seat packages to see the Wranglers play the remainder of the season at the Orleans Arena in 2004 are on sale. Call the Wranglers at (702) 471-PUCK (7825) or visit the website at www.lasvegaswranglers.com for more information.



ECHL Stories from March 16, 2004


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