LAS VEGAS | To realize his “American dream”, a Quebec businessman left Montreal and its winters, in 1997, to come and ride his bump in the city that never sleeps, where he converted some of its inhabitants to roller-hockey and where he does in the event.
“I can’t explain what it’s like to live in Vegas. It’s special here, there isn’t another place like it in the world, ”says Daniel Corsatea, who owns the Las Vegas Roller Hockey Center.
The 56-year-old does not regret his choice to have moved to the middle of the desert. Exit the Strip, its casinos, and tourists. What attracts him is the “unique” lifestyle that the city gives him.
Arriving in Montreal at the age of seven after immigrating from Romania, he loved his time in the metropolis. Growing up in Pierrefonds, he quickly fell in love with the Habs.
“I had the very best years with all the Stanley Cups that we won one after the other. I have very good memories of it, ”he says.
In the business world, he started out in the photocopier industry, but Mr. Corsatea quickly realized that it was not for him; he was looking for something more exciting.
It was finally in 1997 that he decided to come and settle in Nevada. In 2004, he bought the place that was to be converted into a roller-hockey center.
“Before it was an ice rink, but the quality of the ice was much too bad … the heat”, he explains in still excellent French, even if he does not have the opportunity to practice it. often.
Differences from ice cream
Although very similar to ice hockey, the style of play on inline skates is quite different, explains Corsatea.
“In roller hockey, there is no dump and chase. It’s really the possession of the puck that makes you win. It takes passes, creativity, you have to think about two to three games in advance, ”he says.
Each week, more than fifty local teams play on the only surface of the establishment. Particularly, there are no games on Friday or Saturday. “Everyone works these days, these are the busiest and busiest days in Las Vegas,” he notes.
Photo Antoine Lacroix
Part of its facilities.
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In addition to hosting roller-hockey tournaments every year, which attracts around 70 teams from across the United States and internationally, the businessman doesn’t hesitate to use his surface for others. sports, such as lacrosse and field hockey, and even for jiu-jitsu or basketball competitions.
“It’s interesting for people to have a tournament with us, just because we’re in Vegas. Everyone is looking for a reason to come here, ”he says.
The show in Vegas
When it is not sport that occupies him, Daniel Corsatea also rents his premises to attract concerts of all kinds or private events, in his bar section.
But these days, the Quebecer takes the opportunity especially to follow with great interest the series between the Golden Knights and the Canadian, he who has remained a big supporter of the CH.
“I’m sorry to be able to live that here, it’s an incredible experience,” he argues, he who was able to attend the first two games.
The big difference between the partisans of the Desert Knights and those of Montreal?
“Here, the players don’t really have any pressure. People don’t care if they win or lose. So much the better that they are really good, but most of all the fans want a good show. And that’s what they have every time they go to the T-Mobile Arena, ”he concludes, hoping to see the Montrealers win.
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