Fattey to oversee hockey operations at HARBORcenter

HARBORcenter President John Koelmel announced today that Nik Fattey was named vice president/director of hockey for HARBORcenter.

"Nik will lead our team in developing HARBORcenter into a destination where hockey will thrive at all levels," Koelmel said. "He has an extensive hockey background at the highest levels of the sport - both nationally with amateur hockey in the U.S. and also on the international stage - and will leverage that experience and expertise to elevate HARBORcenter's presence in the hockey world."

In his role, Fattey will work to create a world-class destination for hockey players, coaches, scouts, fans and families, and to ensure HARBORcenter is an internationally recognized, elite hockey development center. His responsibilities will include developing high-performance programming for coaches and players, creating programming focused on bringing even more amateur hockey teams to Buffalo, and adding to the player development, opportunity and hockey education that is already strong in the community.

Prior to his position with HARBORcenter, Fattey served as a scout in the Buffalo Sabres' hockey department for eight seasons under General Manager Darcy Regier. He first joined the Sabres as an amateur scout in the 2005-06 season before moving to the post of pro scout before the 2011-12 season. As a scout, Fattey was part of numerous scouting endeavors, including the NHL Combine and NHL Entry Draft, Traverse City Prospects Tournament and the IIHF World Championships.

"His connection to this area's hockey community will be another asset for our HARBORcenter team," Koelmel said. "With his finger on the pulse of hockey in Western New York, and the resources that we will have available at HARBORcenter, we are eager to see Nik bring hockey in this city to a new and exciting level."

Fattey, a Buffalo native, played NCAA Division III hockey and graduated from Fredonia State in 2002. He also attended St. Francis High School and was inducted into the school's sports hall of fame in 2008.

An active member of the Western New York hockey community, Fattey has played and coached for some of the region's most visible hockey programs, including Niagara Scenics (Jr. Sabres), Buffalo Regals, Hamburg Hawks, West Seneca Wings, and the Buffalo Saints. He also founded the FHL and the Red Raider Youth Hockey program and has coached numerous hockey camps and clinics for players of all ages and abilities.