By Tim Schmitt
As a North Tonawanda resident and publisher of Western New York Hockey Magazine, Steve Manson has been waiting patiently for the Sabres to bring the Stanley Cup to Buffalo.
Since they’ve yet to do it, he and his work compadres decided to do it for them.
For this weekend’s first-ever Western New York Hockey Expo, Manson originally targeted the ballroom of a Niagara Falls hotel. But as exhibitors kept climbing on board and, eventually, added a cameo appearance by the Cup to the weekend’s growing list of attractions, Manson realized the event needed room to breathe.
That’s when the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center came calling and the event moved up river.
“It just kept growing and growing,” Manson said of the expo, which will house nearly 70 booths. “Eight months ago, when I thought about this, I thought there’d be maybe 30. Maybe. So it more than doubled my original expectations.”
As for the Cup, it has an engagement in Toronto on Sunday afternoon, so Manson isn’t sure whether it’ll remain for an early-morning appearance or not. It will, however, be on display all day today, and those interested can bring their own cameras and snap photos with the Cup, or get a professionally taken portrait for $5.
Parking for the event is free at all City of Buffalo-owned ramps — the city waived the fee for both days, but other lot owners will still charge — and Manson said the cost is just $5 for anyone wearing any type of hockey hat, jersey, shorts or other gear.
“The whole idea is, we want kids to come down here wearing their jerseys,” he said.
As for the idea to house the expo, Manson said he got it from other cities where hockey is also deeply rooted.
“They have things like this in other places, and when you look at Minnesota, Michigan and New England, they’re ahead in pure numbers of hockey players, but their numbers have been static for quite some time,” he said. “In Western New York and New York State, they continue to grow. We decided it was time we have an event like this.”
Among the festivities will be a number of seminars, including one today hosted by Canisius College coach Dave Smith that helps high school players understand what it takes to get into a college hockey program and what scholarship offers are available.
Also, Larry Playfair, Rob Ray and a number of other former pro hockey players will shuffle in and out.
And Manson said this is just the beginning.
“We’ll just grow it from here,” he said. “I fully expect it will happen. We’re expecting to tie this in with the World Juniors next year.
“It’s a celebration of hockey.”
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
IF YOU GO
WNY Hockey Expo
• WHEN: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
• WHERE: Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
• TICKETS: Cost $7, or $5 if buyer is wearing any type of hockey paraphernalia
