Star-studded Sabres Fan Appreciation Night

BUFFALO, N.Y. (RELEASE) - A special gathering of Sabres Alumni and the “Jersey Off My Back” promotion are just two of the highlights of Fan Appreciation Night, a series of events surrounding the team’s final regular season home game on Friday, April 8 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Game time is 7:30 p.m. All fans attending the game will receive a commemorative 40th anniversary rally towel.

The Sabres have invited every member of the team’s Alumni to join them in Buffalo for this game. Every former player that attends will be part of a pre-game Party in the Plaza red carpet event outside HSBC Arena from 5-7 p.m. Alumni will be dropped off at the red carpet in a car from their era, and will be available for autographs and pictures as they walk into the arena. The evening will also include live music from Strictly Hip, and food and drink will be available outside for purchase.

“Not only is this our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the fans, but it’s a chance for the fans to say ‘thank you’ to all the wonderful former players that have worn the Buffalo Sabres uniform over the past 40 years,” said Sabres owner Terry Pegula. “I think this will be a very special night for everyone involved.”

All attending alumni will also be honored in a pre-game on-ice ceremony that will also include presentation of the 2010-11 Sabres MVP, Rookie of the Year and Hardest Working Player awards. In addition, an online vote will provide Sabres fans with the opportunity to make their choice for “The 7th Man” – the team’s Fan of the Year Award. Details of the online voting process will be announced shortly.

“Ever since we opened up the Sabres Suggestion Box, the fans kept telling us to bring back Fan Appreciation Night,” explains Sabres President Ted Black. “We have the greatest fans in the NHL, and they deserve to be treated that way. It’s not just about the game, we want to recognize our fans as well.”

Throughout the game, season ticket holders will be selected though random drawings to win a jersey off the back of a Sabres player. The winning fans will then be brought down to the ice post-game, and will receive their game-worn jersey directly from their selected player.

The festivities will actually begin earlier in the day when new Sabres owner Terry Pegula will be joined by the alumni at the third and final Power Play Lunch of the season in the 100 Level Harbour Club. Guests will have the opportunity to directly interact with the Alumni as they will be seated at each table. Tickets for the luncheon are available for purchase at www.sabres.com . Ticket options include individual tickets priced at $35 and a $300 group option that includes a table for up to 10 people. For questions, contact the HSBC Arena Account Services Office at (716) 855-4444. Attendees will be asked to adhere to a business casual dress code. Free parking will be available in the ramp adjacent to HSBC Arena.