President of Bridgeport Sound Tigers Howard Saffan at Westport Sunrise Rotary Feb. 1

January 30, 2013

Howard Saffan, president the Bridgeport Sound Tigers hockey team, will speak at the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club breakfast meeting on Friday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 a.m. at Bobby Q’s Restaurant (42 Main St. in Westport). Guests are welcomed. There is a $12 fee for the meeting, which includes a breakfast buffet.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers is the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. Its main (and instate) rival is the Connecticut Whale, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers which itself is the main rival of the Sound Tigers’ parent club, the New York Islanders.

Saffan joined the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as its President in 2011. He oversees all aspects of the operation of the team with a focus on community involvement and creating a more family-friendly environment. "Sound Tigers hockey will be more of a fun, interactive and exciting product that can be shared by everyone in the region," says Saffan. "From families and individuals to community groups and businesses, we will reach out to everyone and invite them to be part of our team."

Since 1999, Saffan has owned and operated the SportsCenter of Connecticut in Shelton, a recreational venue that features mini-golf and a driving range, fitness and rehabilitation facilities, laser tag, and the world's only double-decker skating rinks. The Rinks at Shelton offers year-round skating and is the official practice facility of the Sound Tigers. The SportsCenter overlooks the Housatonic River, which links Fairfield and New Haven Counties and the Naugatuck Valley.

Since 1997, Saffan has also served as president of Bishop Design and Development, a Weston-based real estate development company. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1981 and Brooklyn Law School in 1984.

Saffan was born in The Bronx, raised on Long Island and currently lives in Weston with his wife Judy and their three sons, Noah, Ethan and Justin, and daughter, Gabrielle.

For information about Westport Sunrise Rotary, visit its website at westportsunriserotary.com; contact Steve Cowherd, membership, at (203) 209-3568 or by email at herd59@gmail.com; or attend a meeting any Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Bobby Q’s Restaurant, located at 42 Main St. in Westport.