Thunder geared for new season

To most teams, preseason records mean nothing. But to the Las Vegas Thunder, this year's prep period was significant.

The Thunder, coming off its worst campaign in franchise history, went undefeated through training camp with new coach Bob Bourne behind the bench.

The team hopes the victories translate into momentum as it opens its sixth season against the Houston Aeros Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"I think (the preseason is) an indication simply because we know we have to move up the ladder," Thunder general manager Bob Strumm said, referring to his team's 33-39-10 record last season.

"I think the people are going to see renewed excitement at the Thomas & Mack. We have a good skill level and we're much better on defense. We're going to light it up. We're not going to pull any punches.

"We've talked the talk long enough. This year we're going to walk the walk."

Strumm said this season will be different than 1997-98 when the Thunder suffered losses on the ice, behind the bench and in the commissioner's office.

"We've created new leadership on our team," he said. "We thought we did that last summer and we didn't. We learned, in a negative manner, we obviously didn't do enough research."

After dropping a team-record seven straight games and 12 of 15, head coach Chris McSorley was fired in favor of assistant Clint Malarchuk. But Malarchuk, who left after the season for a job with Idaho of the West Coast Hockey League, couldn't get the Thunder on top, either.

In need of a quick fix for the postseason, Strumm sought the services of NHL holdout Petr Nedved. But the league nixed any chance of Nedved playing for the Thunder in the postseason. The Ice Dogs scored a sweep in the first round.

Nedved, still haggling with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is cleared for this season. He will center a line -- at least until the Penguins sign or deal him -- with reigning league MVP and scoring leader Patrice Lefebvre at right wing.

The Thunder will continue to receive help from the Phoenix Coyotes, who have loaned forward Jean-Francois Jomphe, defenseman Bryan Helmer and goaltender Scott Langkow.

Strumm also is counting on leadership from the likes of center Kevin Kaminski -- "He'd run over his grandmother if she was between him and the net" -- as well as defensemen Brad Miller and Keith McCambridge.

"I want to win this season," Strumm said. "We want to be very successful early. We want to get to the lead of the pack and stay there."

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