According to sources close to the situation, Buffalo Sabres vice president of hockey-related business Joe Battista is leaving his position with the team to spend more time with his family in Pennsylvania.

The Sabres have not confirmed Battista’s decision to step down, but sources say the decision was being mulled by Battista for quite some time, and was in the works for several months. The move was unrelated to Sabres President Ted Black’s decision to part ways with the franchise, which occurred last week.

Battista is seen as the architect of Penn State hockey, and played a major role in numerous moves within the program, including the construction of Pegula Ice Arena, along with the team’s elevation into Division I competition. Long before Terry Pegula made his donation, Battista served as Penn State club hockey’s head coach and was Executive Director of the Nittany Lion Club. Battista spent a total of 26 years with Penn State, and its rumored that he could potentially return to the program, although nothing has been confirmed.

Battista joined the Sabres in 2013 and helped oversee the team’s reconstruction, which culminated in the team’s selection of franchise center Jack Eichel from Boston University this Summer.

Battista’s return to Happy Valley would be warmly welcomed by the entire community, as Battista’s legend still stands strong in the hockey-crazed community.

Stay tuned for further updates as we receive them.