Some are branding it as "hockey heaven," and HarborCenter's landing of its first world championship is expected to help promote this brand. Starting Monday, some of the globe's most talented young female hockey players will compete in the International Ice Hockey Federation's Under-18 Women's World Championship.
Players from the U.S., Canada and six other top-competing nations will compete for the gold medal in the new arena on downtown's waterfront. The event, which will continue through Jan. 12, is expected to pump about $3 million into the region's economy. HarborCenter President John Koelmel said the tournament is an opportunity for the city to showcase its ongoing revitalization.
"We've always talked about destination development and impact in terms of what HarborCenter is going to bring," Koelmel told reporters at a news conference. "This [tournament] captures and epitomizes all of that."
The captain of the U.S. team said she has been impressed since her arrival in Buffalo. Gincy Dunne, a 17-year-old athlete from St. Louis, said her first days in Western New York have been "awesome."
"Oh my gosh, it's beautiful here," she said of HarborCenter. "Everyone has been so welcoming to us. The rink's amazing. The ice is great."
Dunne said she expects to face fierce competition.
"You're really going to see us give it our all," she told WBFO.
HarborCenter will host its second world championship in late April when the International Paralympic Committee Ice Sledge Hockey tournament comes to town.