This book is dedicated to all those original "Hockey Pucks" and risk takers who always believed the sport of hockey had a place in Las Vegas. The Gamblers were the pioneers. The outoor game at Caesars was the catalist. The Lowden family then built the ice hockey arena that housed the first Vegas professional hockey team, the Las Vegas Aces, as well as the first youth ice hockey program through USA Hockey. The teams that followed, the Flash, Thunder and Wranglers among them, left an indelible mark in rinks across Vegas. Authors Robert Lawson, and Richard Gubbe played significant lead roles in nearly every facet of the above mentioned. This book is told through their eyes, highlighting the achievements as well as the "behind the scenes" stories that have never heard before. We are grateful for the participation of those who contributed to the book, to those fans who supported their teams, and to each team right up and to and including the entire organization of the Vegas Golden Knights NHL Team.

"VEGAS HOCKEY, VEGAS STRONG" 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. 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 Flash 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. Much of what transpired in the growth of hockey came from the efforts of authors Robert (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."

Robert (Bob) Lawson III’s journey is a study in versatility and commitment. With a life that spans multiple sectors, including sports, finance, manufacturing and now author, his myriad accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary. 

Sports Achievements: Motorcycle Racing: Lawson Associates, founded in 1989, marked Bob’s entry into professional motorcycle racing. He showcased his managerial brilliance by handling top racers such as AMA Dirt Track Champion Jay Springsteen and World Superbike Champion Doug Polen. Bob’s vision also led to the establishment of AMA Superbike/Super-Sport Teams – namely, American Eagle Racing and CNC Jobs Racing. 

Ice Hockey in Las Vegas: Between 1993 and 1995, Bob redefined ice hockey in Las Vegas. As the General Manager, Marketing Director, and Director of Hockey Operations of Santa Fe Casino Ice Arena, Bob took the helm of the Las Vegas Aces Hockey Team. Under his leadership, the Aces were the first documented professional hockey team to play a full league schedule with exclusively paid players. 

Las Vegas Flash: Bob’s impact on the Roller Hockey International (RHI) scene was significant. As the General Manager of the Las Vegas Flash, Bob’s foresight brought “Miracle on Ice” Gold Medalist Ken Morrow onboard as the Head Coach. 

Flint Generals Hockey Club: The 1995-1996 season was a golden era for the Flint Generals Hockey Club, serving as the VP of Marketing, under GM and good friend Robbie Nichols, he was a core member of the management team, and the first-ever championship year in the ‘95-’96 season. Under Bob’s watch, the club set records in sellout games and league sponsorships. 

From the icy landscapes of Michigan to the high-stakes boardrooms, Bob Lawson’s indomitable spirit has left an indelible mark. His legacy, built on adaptability, vision and an unyielding drive, will continue to inspire generations. 

Richard Gubbe has had a multi-faceted career that has encompassed writing, public relations and event production. He’s held the positions of lead writer for Caesars Palace, editor-in-chief and lead writer for Las Vegas Magazine and features editor and magazine editor for the Las Vegas SUN. He’s won writing awards for the Rock River Times, as a contributing writer for Elevate Magazine and as Sports Editor for Tazewell Publishing’s stable of five newspapers in Illinois. His freelance credits include USA Today, The Sporting News, Singapore Women’s Weekly, Showbiz magazine, Nevadan magazine and Nevada Woman magazine. Whether it’s investigative reporting, feature writing, editorial writing or business writing, he has excelled on all platforms, and he’s interviewed some of the biggest names in show business and sports.  

   Gubbe has helped produce some of the largest events in Las Vegas sports, including the lead coordinator for the outdoor hockey game at Caesars, the first ever pro hockey event in Las Vegas. His ice hockey career included playing in leagues in Illinois and Las Vegas that included a tryout with the New York Rangers in 1983. Other special events he helped promote include the lead coordinator for the Robbie Knievel Jump Over the Fountains at Caesars, worldwide boxing and kickboxing at Caesars, the Miss Universe Pageant, as well as off-road racing and hydroplane races in Nevada and Hawaii. He holds the attendance record for many Vegas events, including the Kickboxing Extravaganza for Showtime at T&M. 

   Gubbe won Illinois Press Association awards for his 23-part, award-winning series on toxic waste dumping in Northern Illinois – for Investigative Reporting (First Place) and another for News Reporting (Second Place). He won two consecutive first-place awards for Explanatory Journalism from the Nevada Press Association and state writing and section awards for Tazewell Publishing. Gubbe also performed event production and PR for the Las Vegas Aces and Las Vegas Flash. He’s also had a 35-year career as a Reiki Master Teacher in Illinois and Nevada with more than 3,000 students in his classes.