Adam Mair agrees to join HARBORCENTER Academy of Hockey

HARBORCENTER VP and Director of the Academy of Hockey Kevyn Adams announced today that Adam Mair has agreed to join the HARBORCENTER Academy of Hockey staff as a coach.

"Adam Mair embodies everything we're looking for at the Academy," Adams said. "He's an excellent teacher, with a great résumé and a tremendous work ethic. He will approach this new part of his career the same way he approached his playing days: with dedication and passion."

Mair made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and went on to play parts of 12 seasons in the league. From 2002-10, he was a hard hitting forward for the Sabres, and played a significant role in the team's run to the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. Mair finished his NHL career in 2011, after 615 games and 114 points. In his seven seasons with the Sabres, Mair played 498 games, scored 105 points, and totaled 701 penalty minutes. He began his transition to coaching with Canisius College, and has spent the past two seasons as Canisius' director of player development. The program won its first Atlantic Hockey Tournament last season, and very nearly upset top seed Quinnipiac in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

"I am excited to be a part of an academy that will be best-in-class," Mair said. "I am ready to draw upon my experience, and help make HARBORCENTER the premier hockey development destination. As a native of Hamilton, I am thrilled to be spending this next phase of my career serving Western New York and Southern Ontario."

"The caliber of coaches at our Academy of Hockey will help make HARBORCENTER a development destination for players from Western New York, Southern Ontario and around the world," added HARBORCENTER President John R. Koelmel. "Adam's years in the NHL have given him a one-of-a-kind knowledge. We are excited for him to share his knowledge and recent coaching experience with the next generation of hockey players and coaches."

As a full-time HARBORCENTER Academy of Hockey coach, Mair will be responsible for educating players and coaches both on and off the ice. He will lead clinics, provide specific on-ice instruction, and compliment it with classroom teaching. Mair will be a big part of HARBORCENTER's coaching outreach, which will provide resources to youth hockey programs across Western New York for the betterment of hockey in the region. Mair brings the benefit of having played for five Jack Adams Award (NHL coach of the year) winners: Lindy Ruff, Jacques Lemaire, Bruce Boudreau, Pat Quinn and Dave Tippett.

The HARBORCENTER Academy of Hockey is dedicated to being the premier development destination for hockey players and coaches. It will provide development programs, premier training both on and off the ice, plus skill-specific lectures and private classes to make for a unique and differentiating experience for hockey players and coaches.