The Sabres’ gold alternate sweater, which was "roundly criticized almost from the moment it was unveiled" in September '13, is "history after this season," according to Mike Harrington of the BUFFALO NEWS. Sabres President Ted Black said that the team will "not have an alternate jersey next season and may go without one for the foreseeable future." Black admitted that the team "did a poor job running the design past focus groups and it never really caught on." Harrington notes several national websites "have dubbed it one of the worst alternates in NHL history." Black said, "I think in this market...we didn't anticipate the amount of third-jersey fatigue." Black said that the Sabres "may shelve the concept of an alternate sweater entirely" until '20, when the franchise "will be celebrating its 50th anniversary" (BUFFALO NEWS, 3/13). Meanwhile, in Buffalo, Amy Moritz notes it has only been four months since the Sabres' HarborCenter opened, but thanks to the success of Canisius College, the Jr. Sabres and Erie Community College along with "glowing marks from USA Hockey," it has "already caught the attention of the national hockey community." HarborCenter VP & Dir of Hockey Nik Fattey said, "The profile has definitely increased. Part of that comes from the success of our partners. Canisius finished second in Atlantic Hockey. The Jr. Sabres had a tough playoff series. ECC won a national title. All of that helps raise the profile" (BUFFALO NEWS, 3/13).
