Dozens of Players to Receive Tuition Support Through the Black Bear Youth Hockey Foundation
Bethesda, MD, December 2, 2025 — Black Bear Sports Group, the premier owner and operator of ice arenas and hockey leagues across the U.S., announced the selection of dozens of recipients for the annual Black Bear Youth Hockey Foundation scholarship program. The initiative provides tuition support to families across Black Bear’s national network and helps ensure that young athletes can continue participating in a sport that has become increasingly expensive for many communities. This year’s awards bring the Foundation’s cumulative scholarship contributions to more than $250,000 since its launch.
This year’s recipients represent a wide range of youth hockey associations, development programs, and competitive teams that train and compete at Black Bear facilities across the country. The Foundation has expanded each season as part of Black Bear’s work to strengthen
youth hockey’s future and create pathways for players at every level.
“Families invest significant time and energy into youth hockey, and our goal is to support that commitment by reducing some of the financial strain that many experience,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help young players stay on the ice and continue developing within the communities we are
proud to serve.”
Through its national network of ice arenas, leagues, tournaments, and training programs, Black Bear Sports Group invests in the infrastructure that keeps hockey sustainable and accessible for families. This year’s Youth Hockey Foundation scholarship awards support that work by helping players stay active in their home programs and supporting communities across multiple states.
“The Foundation was created because we believe that access and affordability remain essential to the long-term health of the sport,” added Gunty.
Black Bear Youth Hockey Foundation 2025 Scholarship Recipients
- Michael Belanger, Carlsbad United, Oceanside, CA
- Oliver Bench, Birdville Hockey Club, Fort Worth, TX
- Karter Brightbill, Palmyra Black Knights, Annville, PA
- Kooper Brightbill, Palmyra Black Knights, Annville, PA
- Kolby Brightbill, Palmyra Black Knights, Annville, PA
- Abigail Burokas, Lovell Academy U14, Schaumburg, IL
- Matthew Cramer, Junior Phantoms U12, New Middleton, OH
- Michael Edelstein, Senators 14U McDavid, Croydon, PA
- Jan Eschler, Plano West Hockey Club, Dallas, TX
- Joel Escobar, Junior Black Bears, Mount Airy, MD
- Devon Goosen, Palm Beach Typhoons, Plantation, FL
- Drew Groft, Palmyra Black Knights 15U, Columbia, PA
- Jordan Hamborsky, Mon Valley Thunder 14U/Connellsville Falcons, Uniontown, PA
- Rhiannon Husted, LTS Snider, Philadelphia, PA
- Ara Iandskroner, Pee Wee, Madison, WI
- Nathaniel Masty, Mount Clemens Metro Jr Jets, Midget/JV Prep, Ira, MI
- Theodore Masty, Mount Clemens Metro Jr Jets, 14U Bantam House, Ira, MI
- Joshua Masty, Mount Clemens Metro Jr Jets 12U PeeWee House, Ira, MI
- Emily McDonnell, 14A York Devils, York, PA
- Everett Miller, Youngstown Phantoms 12u, Youngstown, OH
- Cayden Miller, Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth, South Abington, PA
- Eitan Mishiyev, Mercer Chiefs U16A Black, Manalapan Twp., NJ
- Charleigh Montana, Jaguars 12U Lemieux & Monarchs 12U, West Deptford, NJ
- Sam O’Hearn, Grand Traverse Hockey Association, Bantam AA, Traverse City, MI
- Ethan Peavy, Don Mills Flyers AAA, Burbank, CA
- Yahor Putau, Flyers Elite AAA, Bensalem, PA
- Bennett Redding, Fresno Jr Monsters 8u Travel, Hanford, CA
- Ares Renner, Mites Dev, Longmeadow, MA
- Annelise Satake, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Girls 12U Gold and Morgantown (WV) Blades 12U Coed and Middle School Scholastic Team 13U Coed, Morgantown, WV
- Finnley Satake, Morgantown Blades 10UAA Coed (WV) and Johnstown Redwings 10U AAA Coed (PA), Morgantown, WV
- Veronica Scansaroli, Princeton Tiger Lillies AA, Bridgewater, NJ
- Finn Swadley, Lansing Hockey Club – Bantam AA 14U, DeWitt, MI
- Chyna Taylor, GirlsTier 1 16U, Louisville, KY
- Charlee Tschida, Boulder hockey club lady rough riders 12 AA, Westminster, CO
- Richard Volgraf Jr., Royal AA, Newtown, PA
- Haydn Warfel, Huskies Hockey Club – Peewee Major, Plainfield, IL
- Bennett Wilson, 12U AA, Lutz, FL
- Brayden Wilson, 10U A, Lutz, FL
About Black Bear Sports Group
Founded in 2015 by lifelong hockey enthusiasts, Black Bear Sports Group is a premier owner and operator of ice arenas and youth hockey leagues across the United States. Dedicated to strengthening hockey communities and expanding access to the sport, Black Bear manages
dozens of rinks, teams, and leagues, including the Atlantic Hockey Federation, the Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, and the Tier 1 Hockey Federation. Black Bear also offers elite training programs, tournaments, and Black Bear TV, a dedicated streaming platform that increases
visibility for athletes. By preserving community rinks and creating development opportunities, Black Bear ensures that hockey and other ice sports remain accessible, competitive, and positioned for long-term success.
For more information, visit https://www.blackbearsportsgroup.com/.