Team USA welcomed to HARBORCENTER for Buffalo 2015

“The best part about our team and what makes us so strong is that as soon as we enter the locker room or get on the ice, we are here for one reason and that is to get the gold medal.”

Team USA has converged on HARBORCENTER in Buffalo, New York, USA, on Tuesday (21 April) for the 2015 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships and kicked off their first day on site with a press conference prior to their first practice.

“On behalf of HARBORCENTER and the Buffalo Sabres, I want to welcome Team USA and all the participating nations to Buffalo for this wonderful Sled Hockey World Championships,” said Cliff Benson, Buffalo Sabres Chief Development Officer. “When we built this building, we made it a very important aspect to make sure these rinks were going to be available for sled hockey and to see everyone here today and all these teams from all over the world is really kind of a fulfillment of that dream.”

“I think our guys are ready to go,” said Jeff Sauer, head coach of the US National Sled Hockey Team. “We’ve had a good season, we’re healthy, and I’m just as anxious to see how the facility reacts and how the people of Buffalo react to the tournament. I think for the people who have not seen this sport live, you will be very impressed with these athletes and what they can do.”

Also in attendance were three members of the US National Sled Hockey Team, including captain Josh Sweeney, goaltender Steve Cash, and Buffalo native Adam Page.

Sweeney said: “We have been preparing for this event since Sochi ended. As soon as we found out that we were going to be at home for the World Championships we didn’t want to disappoint our home base.

“The best part about our team and what makes us so strong is that as soon as we enter the locker room or get on the ice, we are here for one reason and that is to get the gold medal.”

The full press conference can be viewed at the Buffalo Sabres channel.

The US begins play on Sunday (April 26) at 8 pm ET vs. Russia.

Tickets for Buffalo 2015 are still available at Buffalo2015.com where live coverage of the event will also be shown, with restrictions in some territories.

NBC Sports Group will show all 20 games live at NBC Sports Live Extra and some games on the NBC Sports Network.