HARBORcenter will be the new home of Canisius College’s Division I men’s ice hockey program when the $172 million hockey and entertainment complex is completed in September 2014.
“We knew that HARBORcenter would quickly become a magnet for major hockey programs in this area,” HARBORcenter President John Koelmel said. “It is our intention to make HARBORcenter a hockey destination and an anchor of hockey development in this region. We are excited to partner with Canisius College and, with the resources HARBORcenter will make available, to further enable the development of their hockey program and to strengthen collegiate hockey in this region.”
As part of the multi-year agreement, Canisius will be the primary tenant of HARBORcenter and will play all of its home games on the complex’s feature rink that will hold a capacity crowd of 1,800 spectators. Additionally, the Golden Griffins will use HARBORcenter as their practice facility with a permanent locker room and they will also have access to the high-performance training area.
Canisius, which plays in the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA), will be moving from its current home of 14 years, the Buffalo State Sports Arena.
“This is an exciting day for Canisius College,” said Canisius College President John J. Hurley. “We make yet another big investment in the city we have called home since 1870 as we join with Terry and Kim Pegula and the Buffalo Sabres and take our championship-hockey program to a whole new level of excellence. It’s a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes, alumni and fans to be part of this world-class facility.”
HARBORcenter will feature two new, NHL-size ice rinks that will be open for community use in addition to a hockey-themed, upscale restaurant and bar, a full-service 205-room Marriott hotel, additional retail space and an 800-space parking structure.