Jr. Sabres moving to Harborcenter in 2014

Press Release

The Buffalo Junior Sabres Youth Organization, which will call HARBORCENTER home, will also be undergoing changes as part of the announced hockey programming. The Junior “A” team, which currently plays in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, will practice and play at HARBORCENTER, have a dedicated locker facility and otherwise benefit from full access to the facility.

In addition, the Youth Organization will be expanding to include a total of seven teams across multiple age groups. In addition to the Junior A level team, the Junior Sabres umbrella will include two teams (minor/major) at the Pee Wee level, two teams (minor/major) at the Bantam level and teams at the 16U and 18U levels. The organization will be overseen by Playfair, president of the Buffalo Junior Sabres, and Peca, the general manager and head coach of the Junior A team.

“Expanding to seven teams under the Buffalo Junior Sabres moniker is a sign that youth hockey continues to prosper in Western New York,” Playfair said. “It speaks to the ever-growing crop of very talented young hockey players in this area and the commitment this region shows to the sport.”

Since 1975, the Buffalo Junior Sabres franchise has offered Western New York’s elite hockey players a setting to hone their skills while providing a pathway to further their hockey careers at the collegiate and professional levels. By educating and guiding young hockey players, the Buffalo Junior Sabres have launched the careers of several NHL players including Adams, Brian Gionta and Ryan Callahan. Proudly owned by the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association, the Buffalo Junior Sabres remain committed to its foundation of educating and developing young hockey talent in Western New York and Southern Ontario.

“The mission going forward is to make the Buffalo Junior Sabres the best developmental organization in the United States,” Peca said. “Our new home at HARBORCENTER will only accelerate this growth even more and hockey continues to have a bright future here."

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)