Zach Benson will get a chance to test his pitching wares next weekend at Sahlen Field.
No, the Buffalo Sabres left wing isn’t taking on a second sport or using an unorthodox tack to prepare for hockey season. Benson will take the mound for the Sabres on Sept. 6 when the Buffalo Bisons host their annual Hockey Day. Benson will throw the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Bisons’ game at 1:05 p.m. against the Syracuse Mets.
Sahlen Field will open its gates at 11:30 a.m. and will host several of the Sabres’ prospects, including Konsta Helenius, Anton Wahlberg, Matteo Costantini and Radim Mrtka, the Sabres’ first-round pick in the NHL draft in June.
Buffalo Sabres left winger Zach Benson (9) awaits a faceoff against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at the KeyBank Center on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News)
Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
A caveat: Players at the autograph tables are subject to change and fans are limited to one signed item per player with no photos.
Benson will do his best Tim Wakefield or Bartolo Colon impression − two notable Bisons pitchers − when he throws the ceremonial first pitch, and the Bisons will sport their best goat-head gear when they wear their black and red Hockey Day jerseys for the game.
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Also in the house will be Sabretooth, the Sabres’ striped mascot. No word if the cat will take part in the Bisons’ Wing, Cheese and Carrot race.
The Bisons’ Hockey Day kicks off a month that includes the Sabres’ prospects challenge and training camp.
Sabres prospects report to camp Sept. 8 and play their first game in the Prospects Challenge against New Jersey at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at LECOM Harborcenter. The Sabres’ main training camp opens the following week, and the Sabres play their first preseason game at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at Columbus.
The Sabres open the season at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center.
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