Native Las Vegan thrilled to be home

Quinney, son of ex-Thunder star, impresses in camp with strong skating

Ken Quinney once was a hockey star in Las Vegas. Gage Quinney hopes to follow in his father’s skates one day.

After signing a two-year, entry-level contract recently with his hometown Golden Knights, Gage Quinney spent the past week at development camp getting familiar with his new organization.

”I’ve lived away my whole life, so just to be home is that much more special,” Gage Quinney said Saturday after the final scrimmage at City National Arena. “I got to meet the management and meet everybody and learn everything. I thought it was a good camp. It was fun. It was competitive. It’s everything you want.”

Gage was born in Las Vegas in 1995 when his father, who made 59 NHL appearances with the Quebec Nordiques, played for the Thunder of the International Hockey League.

Ken had a team-best 55 goals and 108 points during the 1993-94 season and helped the Thunder to the Pacific Division title. During his five seasons with the Thunder, Ken totaled 189 goals and 413 points in 376 games.

Gage briefly attended high school in the valley before he moved in with a billet family in Arizona at age 15.He played three full seasons in the Canadian major junior Western Hockey League, and the forward produced 119 points (53 goals, 66 assists) in 182 games with Prince

Albert, Kelowna and Kamloops.

Gage spent his first pro season with Wheeling in the ECHL and finished with 44 points in 45 games.

He moved up to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the American Hockey League last season and notched 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) in 57 games.

“I thought it was huge,” Gage, 22, said. “I’m really thankful I was in Wilkes-Barre at the time. I learned a lot and had great coaches, great teammates. It definitely helped me along the way.”

He signed with the Knights on June 1. It is a two-way contract, meaning his salary is dependent on whether he is on the NHL or AHL roster. Jason Zucker is the only player raised in Nevada to reach the NHL.

“What I’ve seen is a huge progress from junior to now in his skating,” said Bob Lowes, Knights assistant director of player personnel. “He’s in tremendous shape, and it’s really

helped his game because his skating has gone to a different level. He’s always had the hands and the hockey sense.”

He is expected to play with Chicago in the American Hockey League but will try to win a roster spot with the Knights in training camp in September.

“To sign with your hometown team is a dream come true, let alone to sign an NHL contract,” Gage Quinney said. “I’m excited for what comes next.”

Glass, Dugan star in scrimmage

Cody Glass and Jack Dugan, two members of the 2017 draft class, combined for eight points in Team White’s 11-6 scrimmage victory over Team Grey.

Glass, the No. 6 overall pick last summer, recorded a hat trick. Dugan, a fifth-round pick headed to Providence, finished with a goal and four assists.

Gage Quinney