HTN: Andreychuk Pitches Hamburg Rink Expansion

Ex-Sabre Dave Andreychuk retired in 2006, but is looking to get back out on the ice. The 600-goal-scorer pitched a plan for a new ice rink in Hamburg at a public information meeting. The house would provide a place for the town's growing hockey programs. Hamburg resident Jeff Walker and Andreychuk run the Leaping Sports Facility Management LLC company, which has been the sole bidder in responding to a proposal request by the town. Andreychuk and Walker want to lease the town's municipal ice rink and spend between eight and nine-million dollars to build a second rink, indoor soccer field, new locker rooms, a restaurant, and parking and other property and facility upgrades. Recreation Department officials say leasing the building would mostly eliminate the operating costs the facility loses for low attendance numbers on weekdays. There are currently 940 players in the Hamburg Hawks youth hockey league, but that number continues to grow.