LAS VEGAS — The history of hockey over the past 55 years is revealed in the interviews, analysis and pictorial portrayal of how hockey began in the desert. The book was written by Richard Gubbe and Bob Lawson, who took part in much of what happened.
This complete narrative of “VEGAS HOCKEY, VEGAS STRONG” is informative and emotive with stories never told, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the history of hockey in Las Vegas. The evolution of hockey led to the NHL granting Las Vegas its first Big Four sports franchise. The sport grew from a few avid players forming a team in the mob-built International Ice Palace, to the first time pro players suited up in Vegas at Caesars Palace, to the triumph of the World Champion Golden Knights. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Las Vegas Gamblers and the Las Vegas Outlaws were notable teams in the area. While their schedules may not have been as extensive as those of professional leagues, their presence and efforts showcased the growing interest and passion for hockey in Las Vegas at that time.
It is important to acknowledge that during this period, hockey was not the primary source of income for the players involved. Their participation in these teams was often driven by a genuine love for the sport rather than financial gain. The reward of receiving a buffet ticket and a beer highlights the amateur nature of these teams and the limited resources available to support them.
Nonetheless, the existence of these early organized teams and their dedication to the game provided a foundation for the growth of hockey in Las Vegas. They played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the sport’s development and building a community of hockey enthusiasts in the city.
These early teams – the Aces, Flash, Thunder and Wranglers – left their mark despite the challenges they faced. They contributed to the overall progression of hockey in Las Vegas and set the stage for future endeavors. Their passion and dedication to the game helped pave the way for the emergence of more structured and professional hockey organizations in the city in subsequent years.
The first foray into pro hockey came with the outdoor game at Caesars Palace. The idea of hosting a professional hockey game in the middle of the desert was indeed an unconventional concept. Unforeseen challenges arose, such as the ice melting the day of the event and a plague of grasshoppers affecting the competition. This landmark event in 1991 laid the groundwork for future endeavors. Humorous and never-told-before exploits of the Las Vegas Aces and Las Vegas Flash. The Aces got paid regularly and sold out the Santa Fe arena. The Flash exploits include the brawl and subsequent expulsion of four-time Stanley Cup champion and member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice gold Medal team, Ken Morrow, in a game with the Vancouver VooDoo. Then there was the contingent of Russian players arrested for shoplifting women’s underwear on the Strip and the team practicing outdoors in 100-plus degrees. The Wranglers had Prison Night in prison garb and Pajama Nights when games started at midnight. The Aces were a rag-tag team of thugs, and the team drew full houses for free beer nights. The Flash, Aces and Wranglers were full of laughs and mishaps. The public was never privy to the bungles by management, but these stories are now brought to light.
Also included is a description of all 30 failed sports franchises and photos of the times.
Much of what transpired in the growth of hockey came from the efforts of authors Bob Lawson and Richard Gubbe. Lawson had brought the Aces into existence and was the architect of the Flash, as well as the creation of youth hockey with his father. Gubbe was the lead coordinator of the game at Caesars and assisted with PR efforts for the Aces, Flash and youth hockey.
Together, the authors of this book were instrumental in forming the triumphant statement, “VEGAS HOCKEY, VEGAS STRONG.”
The book has been released in soft cover, e-book and later in hard cover and soon on audio book. The book has been posted on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s Books, Wal-mart , BookBaby Bookshop and more.
Courtesy of Richard Gubbe at rgubbe@yahoo.com.