After a historic season, the Skatin’ Rebels are ready to make a comeback for the 2024-2025 season. The Rebels made a run to the ACHA national championship game, falling to Adrian College 3-0. With that loss in mind, the Skatin’ Rebels are hungrier than ever to win.
The team was formed in 2005 and has rapidly improved since its formation. Head coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener laced his skates for the team in 2006 when the team was at the ACHA Division II level. After five seasons, Vignieri-Greener totaled 265 points in 114 games, with 96 goals and 169 assists. He helped the developing team reach the regional tournament in his last three seasons, playing a role in the two-season, 36-game undefeated streak at home.
Vignieri-Greener isn’t the only coach who returned to his roots. Associate head coach Nick Roboni played a pivotal role on the UNLV roller hockey team, racking up 225 points in 96 games, with 114 goals and 111 assists in five seasons. He and Vignieri-Greener played key roles in switching the team from ACHA Division II to Division I.
Assistant coach Colin Robin is continuing his legacy as a Skatin’ Rebel, just as a coach. He played for the team during their transition to Division I, playing 52 games, missing his senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After continuing his education for a master’s in kinesiology, Roboni and Vignieri-Greener reached out asking for assistance. He became a part of the historic coaching staff and team after the first road game of the 2021-22 season, where they lost to Central Oklahoma, and went on to have the best season in history to that point.
Since the coaching trio formed, UNLV went on to have a record-breaking era of play. They made their first appearance in the Final Four of the National Tournament in the 2021-22 season and continued to make the tournament in a top-five spot since.
Over the years, this coaching staff curated a roster hungry for a championship. The staff started recruiting after heading to the championship game and falling short. The staff and team are ready for the challenges as the season opener against NCAA Division I Lindenwood University looms.
“This is one of the best teams we’ve put together here during my time here,” said Vignieri-Greener. “The kids are eager and ready to compete, and that’s all I can ask for. They want to win right now. This isn’t a rebuild; it’s a reload for UNLV hockey. Now it’s my job to make sure the rest of the staff and I give the kids all the resources and tools to make another run.”
Rebel Hockey took in 14 recruits, eight first-year students and six transfers, some from the NCAA Division I, Division III and ACHA Division II levels. This recruiting class is the best in program history, going into the season with the mindset of “play hard, defend harder.”
The Rebels face three NCAA Division I opponents, opening with their series against Lindenwood University. Last season, Lindenwood went 6-18-4 with a 4-6-0 home record. This will be Lindenwood’s first exhibition game since joining the NCAA Division I level. The Lions will enter this season with a new head coach, Bill Muckalt. Muckalt was the associate head coach at the University of Michigan and was previously the head coach and general manager of the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League.
UNLV will face off against the University of Denver again, hoping to get vengeance. In 2022, the Rebels faced off against the Pioneers, losing 10-0. Despite winning 23-of-42 face-offs and putting up an offensive battle, the penalty box was their biggest weakness. UNLV spent 35 minutes in the box, giving Denver the man advantage allowing them to score five power-play goals.
“Playing Denver or any NCAA D1 team is a great opportunity for us,” said associate head coach Nick Robone, “We’re excited for the challenge. No doubt, we will have to adjust our systems a bit to combat their skill and speed, but our compete level will never change. We want to have grit and be hard to play against. Hopefully, the experience from years past and playing them in December will help us feel more comfortable in an environment like that.”
After Denver, the Rebels take on the Colorado College Tigers on Dec.29. Colorado College won two NCAA Division I championships, one in 1950 and the other in 1957. Last season, the Tigers had a winning record of 21-13-3, with a 12-8-2 home record. The Rebels are ready to give the Tigers a home loss this season.
“I think number one is having a great start to our season,” said senior forward Cole Wyatt. “We have an incredible opportunity to start our season by playing two Division I games against Lindenwood. I think our focus needs to start on day one of training camp. This includes guys buying into the process, playing for one another and doing whatever it takes on and off the ice to get back to a national championship.”
The Rebels take on Western Collegiate Hockey League rivals Arizona State, University of Arizona, University of Utah, Grand Canyon University, and other opponents, including the University of Jamestown, Missouri State, San Diego State, Colorado-Boulder and Oregon.
The two-time Chicago Classic champions will return to the Windy City Nov. 21-23 for the series, playing Delaware, Jamestown and Michigan-Dearborn.
With a new roster, theme nights and a dedicated team and staff, the Rebels are ready to put on a show for the fans at home and away.
“We have the best fans in the ACHA,” said Robone. “We have some great partnerships lined up this year as well as community events that will hopefully build on our incredible support. Not to mention, we have some fun theme nights laid out. Stay tuned.”
The Rebels will host their annual Scarlet and Gray scrimmage on Saturday, Sept. 14. The team will host a meet and greet at 4:30 p.m., puck drops at 6:30 p.m. and then they will host a “skate with the players” event after the game. This scrimmage will give the community a sneak peek at the team and the season ahead.
“The community is everything to our team,” said Wyatt. “The amount of support from our sponsors and fans is incredible. We would not travel to the places we do or have the accommodations we have without them. It makes us play harder for them on our home ice. The least we can do is go out on our home ice and dominate any team that enters our building for everyone who supports us.”
The Skatin’ Rebels will face the Oregon Ducks in their home-opening series on Oct. 11 and 12.
The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. at City National Arena, and students can get their tickets for free at the door.
