Forty of America's best young hockey talent will have the opportunity to display their skills on the ice in Buffalo early next fall.
First Niagara Center has been chosen as the venue for the first-ever All American Hockey Prospects Game on September 29. The announcement was made at the arena Monday afternoon by Dave Ogrean, Executive Director of Colorado-based USA Hockey.
"It is a real showcase of stars for the future, some of whom may very well end up wearing Sabre uniforms at some time," Ogrean said.
The U.S. prospects include anyone of draft eligible age who, in all likelihood, will be drafted by NHL clubs in June 2013. Players will be plucked from junior hockey and college hockey, as well as from high school and prep ranks.
"Anytime that we can showcase our game's best stars, it helps us grow our game even more, and it's another extension between what we do at the grassroots level and the highest level of our game," Ogrean continued.
Buffalo hosted the World Junior Hockey Championships in 2011. Player selections for the prospects game will be announced early this summer.