NHL extends deal for Buffalo to host combine through 2019

Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. (Gary Wiepert/AP)

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The NHL’s pre-draft scouting combine is staying in Buffalo through 2019.

The league announced it awarded the Buffalo Sabres a two-year extension to continue hosting the combine at its downtown arena and neighbouring HarborCenter hotel/rink complex. The Sabres began hosting the annual late-spring event in 2015 after the combine had previously been held at a suburban-Toronto convention centre.

The construction of the $200-million, two-rink HarborCenter spurred the Sabres’ bid because of its training and meeting-room facilities, and proximity to hotels.

NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr refers to the complex as an "all-encompassing" venue for teams to test and interview the top 100-plus draft-eligible prospects invited to participate.

This year’s combine runs from May 29 through June 3.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.