Sharpen Up: September 12, 2022 | Prospects Challenge starts Thursday

Hockey in Western New York is back.
The Prospects Challenge kicks off this week at LECOM Harborcenter. The next generation of Buffalo Sabres will play three games starting on Thursday.
Training camp opens with the first on-ice practices of the year on September 22 and the regular season begins on October 13 when the Sabres host the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center.
Ticket packages are on sale now.
Here's what you need to know.

Prospects Challenge schedule

For the first time in the history of the Prospects Challenge, the Sabres will be joined by five other teams to compete in a round-robin challenge featuring prospects from each team. The participating teams this season are the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Tickets are on sale now and cost $10 per ticket.
All three Sabres games will be streamed live for fans within the local broadcast market on Sabres.com.
Here is the full game schedule for the 2022 Prospects Challenge:

Thursday, September 15
• Buffalo vs. Montreal, 7 p.m.
Friday, September 16
• Boston vs. Ottawa, 3:30 p.m.
• Montreal vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 17
• Pittsburgh vs. Boston, 3:30 p.m.
• Buffalo vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Sunday, September 18
• Ottawa vs. Montreal, 12 p.m.
Monday, September 19
• New Jersey vs. Boston, 10 a.m.
• Buffalo vs. Ottawa, 1:30 p.m.
Stay tuned to Sabres.com and the club's official social media channels for tournament rosters.

Fan Fest details

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 protocols, Fan Fest is returning to KeyBank Center and Alumni Plaza on September 17 and 18, 2022.
Over the course of the two days, fans will be able to take in unique experiences and interactions with current Buffalo Sabres players and alumni.
The event kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 17.
Throughout the day, fans will be able to play lawn games like cornhole, take part in hockey skills activations in an inflatable rink and watch players go head-to-head in trivia competitions and other games on the stage in Alumni Plaza.
A Kids Zone, food trucks, a beer garden, sponsorship activations, and autograph and photo opportunities will also be available for fans to enjoy.
Inside KeyBank Center, memorabilia throughout the team's history will be on display. The retired number banners - including Rick Jeanneret's - will be lowered in the arena bowl so fans can take pose for a photo opportunity with them.
On Sunday, September 18, fans can start their day with the Sabres 5K race at Alumni Plaza at 9 a.m. A Kids Fun Run will begin at 10:30 and select activations will be open to the public from 11 until 4.
Registration for the race is open now.
Sabres players and prospects will be there to cheer runners on.
Additional information and a full schedule of activities will be announced as it becomes available.

Miller elected to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Former Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller has been inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2022, the organization announced Thursday.
Miller's 391 career wins are the most in NHL history by an American-born goaltender. He twice represented the United States at the Olympics, including a dominant silver-medal run in 2010 when he posted a .946 save percentage to earn Tournament MVP honors.
The East Lansing, Michigan native also played for Team USA at three World Championships, won the Hobey Baker Trophy as the top collegiate player in the nation with Michigan State in 2000-01, and won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender in 2009-10.
Read more here.

Sabres to appear on TNT, ESPN+/Hulu 12 times in 2022-23

The Buffalo Sabres will appear on national broadcasts 12 times during the 2022-23 season.
The Walt Disney Company and Turner Sports announced their TV and streaming schedules Wednesday afternoon.
Eight Sabres games will air exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu (a subscription is required for either streaming service).
Four Sabres games will air on TNT.
Additionally, start times for the following games have changed:

Kick-Off Luncheon is October 10

The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team's 2022-23 Season Kick-Off Luncheon, presented by New Wave Energy, will take place on Monday, October 10. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.
The luncheon is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the Lexus Club on the 100 level of KeyBank Center. The luncheon will include a roundtable discussion featuring Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Don Granato.
Click here for more information.