USA Hockey Nationals come to Pepsi Center

An intense month of amateur sports competition comes to an end when the USA Hockey National Boys Pee Wee and Bantam Tournaments begin Wednesday, March 28 at the Amherst Pepsi Center, 1615 Amherst Manor Dr., Amherst.

The Pee Wee division is comprised of players 12 and under and the Bantam division is for players 14 and under.

Forty-eight teams from the four corners of the United States (from Alaska to Arizona to Miami to Massachusetts) will be competing to realize their dream of being crowned National Champion. Perennial powers Detroit Compuware, Detroit Little Caesars, Minnesota Shattuck Saint Mary's, Los Angles Hockey Club, Boston Valley Junior Warriors, and the Syracuse Stars are among the more familiar names that dot this year's tournament list.

"The Buffalo Sabres are proud to support USA Hockey's Tier I & II National Finals here in the Buffalo area at the Amherst Pepsi Center," said Larry Quinn, Managing Partner of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. "This is a great opportunity for players and their families from all across the United States to come to Buffalo and compete for national titles on the ice and at the same time, see all the great things Western New York has to offer away from the rink. This area has a long history of staging first class amateur tournaments and this event will only add to that impressive list."

Local entries at the Tier I level include the Amherst Knights (ages 12 and 14) and Rochester Monarchs (age 12). At the Tier II level, the area will be represented by the New York State Champion Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles (ages 12 and 14).

Preliminary round games begin the morning of March 28 and will run daily through the championship games which will be held Sunday, April 1.

The Knights' 12 and under team plays at 5:15 p.m., March 28 versus the Florida Golden Wolves, from Florida, at 9 a.m. March 29 against the Alaska All-Stars, and at 6:45 p.m. March 30 versus Compuware from Michigan.

The Knights' 14 and under team plays at 4:15 p.m. on March 28 versus the Florida Jr. Everblades in Florida, 12:15 p.m. on March 29 against Shattuck St. Mary's from Minnesota, and at 4 p.m. March 30 versus Little Caesars from Michigan. Semifinal games begin on Saturday, March 31.

Schedules and scores will be updated in real time at the USA Hockey Web site www.usahockey.com.

In addition to the tournament games, there will be an opening ceremony for the teams at the University at Buffalo's Alumni Arena on Wednesday March 28 at 8:30 p.m. Hall of Fame Coach Scotty Bowman will welcome all of the participants to Buffalo and serve as the main speaker. In addition, a special appearance of the Stanley Cup has been arranged for that night.

At 4:30 p.m. on March 29, the annual Easton Skills Competition will feature several players from each team competing against each other in shooting, skating, and stickhandling events.

Over 1,000 players and their family members will be visiting the Buffalo/Niagara region and local economic development officials have estimated that this event will have over a $3 million impact on the region.

Tickets, which entitle the holder to admission to all of the week's games and events, may be purchased at the Amherst Pepsi Center starting opening day.