Buffalo Sabres to host 2016 NHL Coaches Association clinic June 23

Academy of Hockey to assist in operating event as part of 2016 NHL Draft festivities

The Buffalo Sabres, in collaboration with the NHL Coaches Association and the Academy of Hockey, will host the official 2016 NHL Coaches Association Coaches' Clinic on Thursday, June 23, at the Adams Mark Hotel (120 Church St., downtown Buffalo). The clinic kicks off the 2016 NHL Draft festivities, with round one of the draft scheduled for Friday, June 24, followed by rounds 2-7 on Saturday, June 25, at First Niagara Center.

"Hosting an event like the NHLCA Coaches' Clinic in Buffalo provides a great opportunity for our local hockey community to learn from the best," Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma said. "Coaches at all levels of the game will be exposed to what works at the professional level and get ideas on how to apply this knowledge to make them more effective leaders behind the bench."

The NHL Coaches Association Coaches' Clinic is held annually at the NHL Draft. The event provides education to more than 400 youth, amateur, junior, college and professional coaches through a variety of presentations and small-group sessions conducted by NHL coaches. The clinic aims to educate coaches on the strategies and techniques used at the highest level of hockey, and provide specific information for every age group and level of play, ensuring every attending coach receives instruction that is beneficial to his or her players' development. Attending coaches will also have an opportunity to earn a USA Hockey level II, III or IV certification.

To register for the clinic, visit www.Sabres.com/nhlca. Registration for youth/amateur coaches is $150, and $200 for professional coaches. Costs are reduced thanks to sponsorship by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Each registrant will receive two complimentary tickets to the 2016 NHL Draft.

Youth coaches wishing to receive USA Hockey certification (level II or III) will have the opportunity to do so by paying an additional $40 and filling out the appropriate paperwork on-site on the day of the clinic. Coaches can receive level IV certification by attending the NHLCA clinic on Thursday and a second day of presentations to be held at Canisius College on Friday. Current level III coaches wishing to receive their level IV will need to sign up for both the NHLCA clinic and the USA Hockey level IV on USA Hockey website, which will be posted to the USA Hockey website clinic registration page in late April. The level IV clinic will cost $140 (in addition to the $150 cost of the NHLCA clinic).

The Adams Mark Hotel has limited rooms reserved and available at a special "NHLCA room rate" of $129. Visit the hotel's website, www.adamsmark.com, or call 716-845-5100.

The NHLCA, flexxCOACH, HARBORCENTER and the Academy of Hockey will present an additional free clinic from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at HARBORCENTER. The on-ice clinic will be led by Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, and will focus on practice organization, station-based training and small area games. Registration is free and open to all youth hockey coaches in Western New York, along with any coaches who register for Thursday's NHLCA Coaches' Clinic.

The NHLCA was established to promote the game of hockey, earn respect for coaches and coaching, improve the performance of its member coaches, and work with the NHL on issues of common concern for the game and member coaches, as well as engage in charitable endeavors.

The Academy of Hockey is dedicated to being the premier development destination for hockey players and coaches by providing the dedicated hockey player with a structured and specific program that encourages and motivates the individual to reach his or her highest playing potential.

Located at state-of-the-art HARBORCENTER, connected to First Niagara Center, the academy uses education as the basis of each of its programs, with dedicated structure that challenges players of all age and skill levels to accelerate their development and achieve measurable success.