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Everyone involved with the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game enjoyed their stay in Buffalo. The inaugural event was a huge success for players, coaches and fans alike. become a hockey destination for all ages of players," said Sabres owner Terry Pegula, who was on hand for the festivities. "This is another piece of the puzzle that fits into our plan of making Buffalo a destination. Even kids younger than these guys will come here and remember their visit and say 'I enjoyed myself.' " Pegula's words were echoed by Phil Housley, who launched his 21-year NHL career in Buffalo and returned to coach against McClanahan. "IT'S EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO PUT [38] OF THE TOP PROSPECTS ONTO THE ICE GOING INTO THEIR EXCITING NHL DRAFT YEAR. — JIM JOHANNSON Along with getting a chance to showcase their talents, the players were able to tour the Sabres' state-of-the-art facilities and learn about the latest equipment from CCM, the title sponsor of the event. "Obviously it was pretty cool," said Waterloo Blackhawks goaltender Cal Petersen. "It just goes along with how great an event this is and to play well is something I will remember for a very long time." Mike Downing (Dubuque Fighting Saints/USHL) also recognized the game had an even greater impact for hockey fans due to the NHL lockout. "It was just a great experience all around," Downing said. "All of the fans went to see the game because of the lockout, and I think that is what made it so special." Hudson Fasching will go down in his- tory as the first to score a goal in the inaugural event when he slipped a shot past Eamon McAdam at 15:54 of the first period on a great pass from Ryan Fitzgerald during a 3-on-1. "It's just a great honor to be able to do that," said the forward on the U.S. National Development Under-18 Team. "Its just awesome that I can be the guy to start it all off." Fitzgerald went on to record two more assists to earn the first ever Most Valuable Player award. "People haven't seen me play against these type of kids, and I just wanted to show I can hang with the big boys out here and play with the best," said the Valley Jr. Warrior of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. With players from the USHL, NAHL, CHL, EJHL and the NCAA playing in the game, it was an opportunity for everyone out there to prove himself on the ice. "It's a place to be seen, and it's an oppor- tunity for scouts to see you," said U.S. National Team Development Under-18 forward J.T. Compher. "You're not going to skate around and not go hard." Compher was thrilled to be in on the ground floor of an event that future gen- erations of American hockey players will certainly strive to be a part of. "This is going to be something a lot of kids will want to play in because of the scout- ing and how much fun it's been so far." N USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM NOVEMBER.2012 15