The Buffalo Sabres recently announced that the 12th annual Scotty Bowman Showcase will take place on Sunday, April 10 at First Niagara Center in downtown Buffalo. The 2016 Scotty Bowman Showcase consists of three all-star hockey games between players from Buffalo and their rivals from Rochester. Each game will consist of two 22-minute halves, and admission for the games is $5.
The first game will begin at 11 a.m. with high school juniors from the two cities facing off against one another for the Tim Horton Memorial Cup.
The next game will take place at 1 p.m. between high school seniors from each city. The winner of the second game will be awarded the Scotty Bowman Cup. This award and the event are named after the legendary Scotty Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history. Bowman will be in attendance to present the Bowman Cup to the victorious senior team.
The third game will feature players from Buffalo and Rochester who play prep school or junior hockey, either locally or elsewhere. The players will be split up into even teams and will face off for the Rick Martin Memorial Cup at 3 p.m.
Several players have furthered their careers following their participation in the Scotty Bowman Showcase, with the most high profile player being Phil Lane of Rochester. Lane was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft after competing in both the 2008 and 2009 events. Two former participants were taken in the 2015 NHL Draft as well. Dennis Gilbert, a 2014 participant, was selected in the third round by the Chicago Blackhawks and Joe Cecconi, a 2015 participant, was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round.
The final selection of each team will be completed by the Buffalo Sabres based on the ratings of the nominating committee. Participants for each game will be announced at a later date.
For more information or to nominate a player for consideration, please contact Sabres Youth Hockey Manager Ed Grudzinski by phone at 855-4174 or via email at ed***********@sa****.com.
