Buffalo Sabres have new name for home, “First Niagara Centre” –NHL News Update
Buffalo Sabres got a new name for their home on Thursday, August 26, to top off an incredible offseason, which is easily bound to be one of the, if not the best in their history as a National Hockey League (NHL) franchise.
The former HSBC centre was renamed the “First Niagara Centre” due to the acquirement of HSBC Bank from the 1st of August, which also included buying out the title rights of the arena.
It was John Koelme, who is president and CEO of First Niagara Bank, that came to the agreement and conclusion about whether the decision should be made or not. He made the announcement.
"August has been a good month for us", Koelmel said. "The first of the month we proudly announced our transaction with HSBC, and I'm thrilled that we're relatively able to close the month with the second piece of the puzzle. It's a wonderful opportunity
to partner with an organization that has been at the heart and soul of this community for the last 40-plus years".
Buffalo Sabres president, Ted Black, was also optimistic at the opportunity and chance along with announcing that he hopes that it will be good for mutually growing businesses.
"We're very happy and excited to be partnering with First Niagara on the most significant sports sponsorship agreement in Western New York history", Sabres president Ted Black said.
Buffalo Sabres have been playing in the now former HSBC arena since 1996. When the facility had first opened up for business and commercial sports, it was primarily named the, Marine Midland Arena, which was later on named the HSBC Arena in 1999.
Along with having a new owner, a number of new players, Buffalo Sabres have now also received a new name for their arena and are hoping to rewrite history next season as leagues from all around the NHL are eyeing what change the team really has made.
As may be thought by many, Buffalo will not be opening the new 2011-2012 season at the First Niagara Centre, but will be playing its first two games in Helsinki and Berlin in accordance with the 2011 Compuware NHL Premiere.
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