An Academy of Hockey is one of the programs that will be housed at the new HarborCenter in downtown Buffalo. HarborCenter managers say they will also expand the Buffalo Junior Sabres.HarborCenter, now under construction, will open next year at this time. It will house two ice rinks, eleven locker rooms, retail space, restaurant and parking ramp. A Marriott Hotel will open in Spring 2015.
Tuesday, HarborCenter officials unveiled how those ice rinks will be used. The Academy of Hockey will be run by former Sabres assistant coach and NHL player Kevyn Adams. HarborCenter President John Koelmel says the Academy will house a premier hockey training and development program.
“Hockey is obviously at the core of everything we’re doing at HarborCenter,” Koelmel said. “On its surface, HarborCenter will be a world-class hockey and entertainment destination with amenities that aren’t found in a hockey complex anywhere in the country. However, the lifeblood of the complex will be an environment built to attract, foster and showcase hockey talent at all levels. Our goal is to make HarborCenter an ideal venue for hockey at all levels to converge and allow for the game to grow in a way we haven’t seen before.”
The Buffalo Junior Sabres will also expand from just one to seven age levels and will continue to be overseen by formers Sabres players Larry Playfair and Michael Peca.