Patrick Kane is bringing the Stanley Cup to Buffalo this week. The Sabres, meanwhile, have announced their 40th chance to do the same will begin Sept. 18.

The most recognizable trophy in sports will return to Western New York on Friday as Kane, the South Buffalo native and Chicago Blackhawks forward, gets his alone time with the Cup. Each member of the NHL championship team gets to spend a day with the Cup, and Chicago earned its title when Kane scored the winning goal in overtime in June to beat Philadelphia.

Early rumors of the 21-year-old escorting the gleaming chalice to Niagara Falls turned out to be true, as he and the Cup will be at the Cave of the Winds in Niagara Falls State Park on the Hurricane Deck at 8:30 a.m.

At 11 a.m., Kane will meet pediatric and adult cancer patients at Roswell Park. At 12:30 p.m., he will thank local steelworkers for their painted tribute "(Buzz) Pat Kane Wins Stanley Cup" on the sixth-floor steel beam at the Global Vascular Institute, under construction behind Buffalo General Hospital.

Then from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Buffalo Police and Fire Department members and their families are invited to see the Cup on the grounds of The New Era Cap Company Headquarters on Delaware Avenue.

The Cup has had a busy week already. Chicago goaltender Cristobal Huet, a Frenchman, took the trophy to the top of the Eiffel Tower on Monday. After the Cup's handlers haggled with Air France -- which, according to NHL.com, was going to deny access to the trophy because of the airline's weight restrictions -- Lord Stanley's chalice made its way to Sweden.

Upon arriving there, Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson on Tuesday took the Cup to a childrens' hospital, a playground barbecue and a parade.

The Sabres announced a party of their own Wednesday. They will open their 40th anniversary season Sept. 18 with "Puck Drop 2010," a daylong event at HSBC Arena that will feature the first day of training camp, the unveiling of the team's commemorative third jersey and the opening day of individual ticket sales for the season's final 31 home games.

The Sabres will introduce the team's new 40th anniversary jersey during a morning practice that is free and open to the public. The organization touts that the "classically designed uniform is a tribute to not only the history of Buffalo hockey, but early NHL jersey designs." It will serve as the alternate jersey for the Sabres, who are returning full time to their vintage logo with the charging buffalo between two crossed sabres.

Fans will be able to purchase the anniversary jersey in the Sabres Store beginning that day, and the team is scheduled to take part in a scrimmage following the jersey unveiling.

Individual ticket sales will begin at 9 a.m. during Puck Drop 2010, and they will be available at the arena box office, Tickets.com and its outlets inside Tops Friendly Markets, and by calling (888) Go Sabres. Tickets for the opening 10 home games of the season go on sale at 9 a.m. Aug. 21.

Ticket prices to the two home preseason games -- Sept. 25 against Toronto and Oct. 3 against Philadelphia -- have been set at $20 for the 100 and 200 levels and $15 for the 300 Level. They also go on sale Aug. 21.

The daylong festivities of "Puck Drop 2010" will also include an adult street-hockey tournament, group autograph sessions, a Sabres Kid Zone and live music in the plaza. The street-hockey tournament is open to men and women 18-and-older, with a $150 fee for each five-person team. Applications are available only at Sabres.com. For more information, call 855-4144.

The Sabres also announced Wednesday that Mark Mancari is back, agreeing to a one-year contract with the club. The restricted free agent signed a two-way contract, according to CapGeek.com, and will earn $575,000 while in Buffalo and $105,000 if he returns to Portland of the American Hockey League.

The 6-foot-4 right winger has led the Sabres' minor-league affiliate in scoring the past three seasons, including 28 goals and 74 points in 74 games last year. The 25-year-old has two goals and three assists in 16 NHL games, including a goal and an assist in six appearances with the Sabres last season.

jvogl@buffnews.comnull