Wranglers Re-Sign High Scoring Ferraro Twins

Published on October 9, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


LAS VEGAS, NV - The Las Vegas Wranglers announced today the team has agreed to terms with right wing Peter Ferraro and center Chris Ferraro.

"Peter and Chris were a big part of our success last season," said General Manager and Head Coach Glen Gulutzan. "They are veteran players who should help provide leadership in a young locker room. We expect them to play at the same high level they have for the last 14 years of their career."

The Ferraro twins made NHL history in 1995 when they became the first identical twins to play for the same team. In 1992 the New York Rangers selected the twins in the first (Peter) and fourth (Chris) rounds of the NHL Entry Draft. The twins made their NHL debuts with the Rangers in 1995. The Port Jefferson, NY natives won a NCAA Championship in 1993 playing alongside Paul Kariya at the University of Maine. In all, Chris and Peter combined for 168 games of NHL experience with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals. The Ferraro twins have been teammates with NHL greats Wayne Gretzky, Ray Bourque, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier and Brian Leetch. Together they have combined for over 1,650 career games, 560 goals, nearly 1,400 points and over 2,800 penalty minutes. During their 14-year careers, the twins have played on the same team in ten of those seasons. Chris and Peter set an ECHL record for most points combined by a set of brothers on December 15th, 2007 at Utah. The twins combined for nine points (2G-7A) in a 7-5 win at the E-Center over the Grizzlies.

In his first season with the team, Peter Ferraro broke the team record with 36 goals and led the team in scoring during the regular season with 73 points in 68 games played. The 35-year old also led the team with 11 power-play goals and finished second with a +25 rating. The right wing finished second on the team in playoff scoring with 21 points in 20 Kelly Cup Playoff games. Peter tied the team record for most points in a playoff game, burning the Alaska Aces in the second round for five points (2G-3A) in one night. The Wranglers team Captain tied the team record with four assists in one game on December 15th, 2007 at Utah. Peter also passed a few career milestones last season, including his 300th pro goal and his 700th career point.

Peter was drafted by the New York Rangers with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Peter has 92 games of NHL experience with the Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. Ferraro scored nine NHL goals and added 15 assists for 24 points. The right winger has played in 894 career games, with over 620 games of American Hockey League experience. For his career, Peter has 326 goals and 431 assists for 757 points. The veteran forward also has 1,500 career penalty minutes. Peter's best season came in 1995-96, as the New Yorker tallied 48 goals and dished out 53 assists for 101 points in 68 games to lead the AHL's Binghamton Rangers in scoring. He has two championships rings, one with University of Maine and the other with the 1998-99 Providence Bruins. He played with former Wranglers captain Jason McBain when the Bruins won the Calder Cup. Peter was awarded the playoff MVP Award (Jack A. Butterfield Trophy). Peter has nine 20-goal seasons under his belt.

Chris was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round (#85 overall) in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Chris has 76 games of NHL experience with the Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals. Ferraro scored seven goals and added nine assists for 16 career NHL points. For his career, Chris has played in 719 career games, with 507 games in the AHL. The center has 234 career goals and 394 assists for 628 career points, while racking up 1,383 penalty minutes. Chris' best season professionally came in 1995-96 in Binghamton. Chris finished second on the team in scoring with 32 goals and 67 assists for 99 points, backed up by 208 penalty minutes. Chris won the IHL's Turner Cup with the Chicago Wolves in 1999-2000, winning his first pro championship just one year after his brother won his. In 2003, Ferraro was awarded the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award for sportsmanship and perseverance. Chris has four 20-goal seasons, including a career-high 35 with the 1998-99 Hamilton Bulldogs. Ferraro played in 46 games with Las Vegas last season. Despite missing 26 games due to injury, the 35-year old dished out a team-leading 39 assists and finished fourth overall in team scoring with 51 points. Chris' +17 tied for fourth on the team, while his 95 penalty minutes tied for fourth on the squad. The feisty centerman suited up for Games 4, 5 and 6 of the Kelly Cup Finals recording one assist.

With the addition of Ferraro twins, the Wranglers have announced a total of 24 players in training camp for the 2008-09 Preseason. Defensemen Brandon Straub, Jim Jorgensen, Michael Beynon, Gerard Miller, Bret Tyler, Jason Dest, Mark Lutz and Mike Madill have all agreed to terms for 2008-09. Forwards Tim Spencer, Matt McKnight, Luke Hunter, Tyler Mosienko, Mike Hamilton, Jordan Hack, Adam Miller, Chris Ferraro, Peter Ferraro and Brandon Kaleniecki have also signed. Forwards Jimmy Kilpatrick and Chris Neiszner are signed to tryout agreements. Left wing Shawn Limpright continues to rehab from off-season surgery. Two-time Central Hockey League Goalie of the Year John DeCaro has also agreed to terms for the upcoming season. Defenseman Brandon Straub and forward Matt Beaudoin remain in the American Hockey League.

Las Vegas will play three preseason games starting at home with Bakersfield tonight at 7:30 pm at the Orleans Arena. The Wranglers will then travel to Bakersfield to play the Condors at Rabobank Arena on Saturday, October 11th at 7:00 pm. Las Vegas will conclude its preseason schedule with a game in Ontario against the expansion Reign. The Wranglers will meet the Reign at 5:00 pm at the Center Ice Arena in Ontario, CA on Sunday, October 12th.

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.

Opening night is scheduled for Thursday, October 23rd at the Orleans Arena. Individual game tickets are on sale now at (702) 284-7777.

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