What To Do: Hockey TowneUSA Fan Fest

For visitors looking for something fun to do for the whole family, Hockey TowneUSA Fan Fest at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center is the perfect place to go.




Today fans had the chance to meet René Robert, Gilbert Perreault, and Rick Martin who were members of the French Connection, one of the most famous and talented scoring lines in the NHL.


The French Connection

Michael Blabac and Adam Page of the 2010 USA Paralympic sled hockey team were also signing autographs for fans. Blabac and Page won the gold medal in the Paralympics held in Vancouver last March and are both from the area.


Adam Page and Michael Blabac.

In addition to autograph signings, fans in attendance were able to participate in the popular bubble hockey tournament were fans had the chance to play against members of the French Connection, enjoy live music, enter a contest to win an ice rink for their backyard, and eat popular Buffalo dishes like chicken wings and beef on weck.


Bubble hockey competition


Young fans playing an interactive shooting game.


La Nova wings stand

For only $5 admission (children 12 and under entering with an adult are free), it makes for a fun day out for the entire family. The event goes until December 29th and is just minutes away from the HSBC Arena.

What To Do

With people from all over the world gathering in Buffalo for the tournament, some people are looking for things to do in the area between games or whenever they have some down time. I'm heading over to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center to check out the Hockey TowneUSA event where today the French Connection will be signing autographs.

In the meantime, another great place to visit is the Forty: The Sabres in the NHL exhibit at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.



The exhibit commemorates the team's 40 years in the National Hockey League with hundreds of photographs taken from 1970 to 2010. There are also video reels that highlights certain aspects of the game such as fights, goaltending, and the fans.










One of the coolest parts of the exhibit is the "NHL in 360" feature which gives viewers the perspective of playing in an NHL game. Cameras were strapped on the helmets of skaters, goalies, and fans up against the glass to give viewers every perspective and angle of the live action of a hockey game.

The exhibit is a must-see for any hockey fan, and from January 2nd-5th the Stanley Cup (the Cup is only on display on the 2nd and 3rd) and other Hall of Fame trophies will be on display to coincide with the exhibit and the World Juniors.

Be sure to check back later where I'll have a recap of my time spent at the Hockey TowneUSA convention as well as some updates of the festivities going on at the arena when Germany takes on Slovakia at 7 p.m.!