Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined Sabres Owner Tom Golisano, National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, representatives from USA Hockey, Erie County Executive Chris Collins and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to announce that Western New York has been chosen to host the 2010-2011 USA Hockey World Junior Hockey Championships.

HSBC Arena and Niagara University will be the sites for the games featuring some of the world’s top junior hockey players.  The tournament will run from December 26, 2010 through January 6, 2011 and will bring amateur-level hockey teams from 10 countries.  Thirty one games will be played during the 12-day run with over 300,000 people expected to attend.   

The Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates over 3,200 hotel room nights will be booked as a result of the tournament.  The Congressman wrote a letter of support advocating for Buffalo to host the games.  The local economic impact of hosting the games is expected to reach up to $20 million. 

In his remarks Congressman Higgins noted this region’s proximity to Canada as a selling point for Buffalo to serve as host.  In addition, the Congressman touted the rising stars who have emerged from past USA Hockey World Junior Championships, including South Buffalo’s own Patrick Kane, who competed in the World Juniors in 2007, was a first round draft pick to the Chicago Blackhawk’s and was named Rookie of the Year for the NHL.

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