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Events and Attractions

Buffalo Gets High Marks As Host For NHL Draft; Scouting Combine Returning Next Year

Buffalo hosted this weekend's NHL Draft, and though there were questions about how the city "would handle having an event of this magnitude," a team source was "strong with his praise of the event while throwing jabs at previous hosts," according to Michael Straw of THE HOCKEY WRITERS. The source said, "From top to bottom, everything about this year has been top notch. Compared to Florida last year, the layout and ease of access has been night and day.” Straw noted from the "connected hotel that includes a 24-hour media room to the close proximity of all draft week events, it made doing what needed to be done as easy as it could’ve been expected." But that is "just a part of the atmosphere." The Sabres "hosted a fanfest across the street from the First Niagara Center that showcased the newly revamped waterfront of the city, something that couldn’t even be imagined just six to seven years ago." Fans and staff alike "crowded the local establishments throughout the week, giving a big city feel to the area surrounding the venue." It also "didn’t hurt that the weather during the week had been near perfect." Gone is the "thought of a destitute city" and in its place is a "feeling that Buffalo could, and should, host more major league events." Friday night’s opening round was "truly something to behold." From the "thunderous boos for both Commissioner Gary Bettman" and the Maple Leafs' fans in attendance to the "roaring ovation that former Sabres head coach, and current Dallas coach, Lindy Ruff received, the fans inside made it a night to remember" (THEHOCKEYWRITERS.com, 6/25).

BUFFALO WINGS: Bettman announced during his opening to the Draft that the league's scouting combine "will be returning" to Buffalo next year. In Buffalo, Jack Goods noted the extension "is not a surprise, since the event has gotten rave reviews from players and other teams' executives." Goods noted it also "was no surprise" that Bettman was booed by the fans, but he took the "treatment in stride." Sabres Owner Terry Pegula opened the festivities Friday night, noting if visiting fans had any problems, "just call my wife" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 6/25). Also in Buffalo, Donn Esmonde wrote the city had "never been as ready for prime time" as it was for the Draft. Buffalo had "always been a great place," but it "wasn't a great 'event' city." However, there has been a "transformation in recent years," aided by construction of the HarborCenter, and the city's "charms are now apparent, its attributes obvious and its amenities easy to find" (BUFFALO NEWS, 6/25). 

READY FOR ACTION? In Toronto, Bruce Arthur wrote under the header, "Drafting Auston Matthews Just One Step In Leafs' Long Journey Back To Respectability." Matthews, the No. 1 overall pick by the Leafs, is "expected to be a franchise centre, and those are rare beasts." When you have "great players to build around, you have a chance to build something great" (TORONTO STAR, 6/25).

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