"It's been a pleasure to host this event the last two years and we are honored to be chosen to continue hosting through 2019," said Sabres President Russ Brandon. "The combination of KeyBank Center and HarborCenter provides the perfect venue for the Combine, and we look forward to building on the success we've achieved during the last two events."
"The Buffalo Sabres, HarborCenter complex and the City of Buffalo have proven to be amazing hosts and the ideal location for our annual Scouting Combine," said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. "The NHL and its Member Clubs are pleased that this modern, all-encompassing venue will play host for the next three years."
The event, held annually in late May and early June, consists of player interviews, medical assessments and a series of physical fitness tests. All 31 NHL clubs have the opportunity to conduct individual interviews with players in preparation for the NHL Draft.
Since 2015, more than 225 draft-eligible players have come to Buffalo for the Scouting Combine, including the Sabres' Jack Eichel and former No. 1 overall picks Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) and Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs). This year, 106 participants are invited to the event, which will begin on May 29 and run through June 3.
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HarborCenter is a 650,000-square-foot complex connected to the Buffalo Sabres' KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo. The complex features two NHL-size rinks with feature rink capacity of 2,000, classroom and theater facilities, IMPACT Sports Performance training facility, a 205-room full service Marriott Hotel, (716) Food and Sport restaurant, a unique Tim Hortons Café & Bakeshop dedicated to the Sabres legend, The Healthy Scratch eatery, parking and boutique retail shops.
