Las Vegas Hockey History
As we get ready to see Las Vegas Golden Knights line up tonight against Washington Capitals, but the series could easily have been the Las Vegas Aces vs Washington Capitals.
My Personal Story and my part of Las Vegas Hockey History as owner (and player) of the Las Vegas Aces and Las Vegas Ice Dice.
https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/history-of-hockey-in-las-vegas/c-283751866
Through my years as an opportunistic investor and entrepreneur, I look back at one of my early ventures as owner and player for a Semi-Professional hockey team in Las Vegas known as the Las Vegas Aces from 1992 to 1994 (3 seasons) where we played in a league called the PSHL (Pacific Southwest Hockey League) with Fresno Falcons, Alaska Aces, Los Angeles Bandits (which I also owned), Bakersfield Condors (which I was co-founder), and Fairbanks. This league eventually morphed into the WCHL (West Cost Hockey League) and was merged with the ECHL a number of years back.
http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/las-vegas-aces-6518.html
In 1994, the Las Vegas Aces and I hosted the Maurice Rocket Richard World Face Off and I am proud to have spent the entire weekend with hosting The Rocket and Pocket Rocket in Las Vegas for a weekend of hockey between 4 minor professional teams including Las Vegas Aces, 2 teams from Canada and a team from Europe where the team from Montreal took the championship, but Las Vegas Hockey was the real winner as we sold out the small arena.
In 1995, after a splitting with the PSHL, I got ambitious and formed the North American Hockey league with minor pro franchises in in 3 countries; Canada, USA and Mexico. The team names were Vancouver Venom, Eugene Snowcats, Las Vegas Ice Dice (formerly Aces), Los Angeles Bandits and Mexico City Terreros. We attracted a full slate of players for each team including former NHL players such as Link Gaetz.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/150.html
The league played 4 games first two games in Eugene to a sold out crowd and the final two games in Mexico City where we sold out the arena. The problem was that after the game “the Cartel” escorted by the Federal Police came in and took 100% or the GATE Proceeds (enough said) and it was quickly decided to fold recall all players out of Mexico and soon after we folded the league. The NAL was no scam it was just a bit to early and there was a shortage ice rinks that could fit the crowds we were attracting; we tried, we failed, we learned.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/150.html
It was an interesting venture, I was young and hockey was booming and we gave it a good try. As far as I know I am the only person to actually host a professional hockey game in Mexico. This is hockey history, all these wiled events, the PSHL and the short lived NAL filling small arenas proved the demand for minor league hockey in the WEST, and now most of these cities host ECHL or AHL teams and now VEGAS is going for the Stanley Cup.
PRO BEACH ROLLER HOCKEY — In 1995, I was the founder and host of the first professional beach roller hockey event at Hermosa Beach and a few weeks later we hosted a tournament on a Baseball diamond in Las Vegas. Another crazy idea came to light on a napkin after drinking all day at a Pro-Beach Volleyball event was a smashing hit as we had a all female team lead by Manon Rhéaume — Wikipedia and Cammi Granato — Wikipedia and the the future 1998 Women’s Olympic Players and featured Marty McSorley — Wikipedia as co-host. The idea went on to become Pro Beach Hockey and ran on ESPN from 1998 to 2001.
http://inlinehockey.wikia.com/wiki/Pro_Beach_Hockey
So tonight as I look back 20 plus years and read through the history of Hockey in Las Vegas where they profile the Las Vegas Aces and Las Vegas Ice Dice as part of a historic journey to now hosting of the Stanley Cup finals it brings back some very fond memories.
https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/history-of-hockey-in-las-vegas/c-283751866
Today, it could have easily been the Las Vegas Aces hosting the Washington Capital as the team name was in the running before they eventually chose to go with the Golden Knights. Personally, I think the Aces is a better NHL name.
Good luck Las Vegas (Aces) I mean The Golden Knights
