Zee Khan has ice hockey in his blood.
“I grew up playing hockey in Los Angeles, moved away at age 16 to pursue hockey at higher levels, and eventually went to Arizona State University for college, getting a B.A. in political science,” the California native said. “I didn’t get involved in the business of hockey until after graduation. I was brought into UNLV hockey in February 2015 to revive the program, along with head coach Anthony Vignieri Greener, assistant coach Nick Robone and Director of Operations Arturo Castro.”
A Southern Nevada resident since 2012, Khan is responsible for oversight of the team and efforts to embed the program into the community. He is also tasked with raising money to support the fully self-funded program, through community outreach and partnership, including a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights to practice and play games at City National Arena.
He also led the team’s transition from Division 2 to Division 1 in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, with back-to-back national tournament appearances and a top-10 ranking to finish its first season in Division 1.
“Since myself and the current coaching staff began in 2015, we have seen the best four-year run in program history,” said Khan, who supports the KLUC Toy Drive and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. “We have established UNLV hockey as a program that will compete annually for the national title. Our immediate goal is to continue to build the program and lay the foundation for the future, because we want that national title.”