MSU’s ACHA Division 1 women’s program — featuring nine players developed in Black Bear’s BIGGBY® COFFEE AAA Girls program —taught free Take a Shot at Hockey classes for young players
EAST LANSING, MI — Players from the Michigan State University Women’s ACHA Division 1 Hockey Team are serving as on-ice instructors for Take a Shot at Hockey (TASH) class at BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube – East Lansing, introducing 60 girls ages 4-9 to the game at no cost. The classes are part of a new partnership between Black Bear Sports Group (BBSG) and the MSU program to grow girls hockey in East Lansing.
The partnership builds on a development pipeline already connecting the two programs: nine current MSU players spent time on BIGGBY® COFFEE Girls rosters, and MSU Head Coach Deb Bolino serves as BIGGBY® AAA Girl’s Hockey Director.
“Nine of the players on our roster developed in the BIGGBY® COFFEE AAA Girls program, and they know firsthand what it means to have a place to start in this game,” said Bolino. “Now they get to be that start for the next group of girls in East Lansing. Our players loved being on the ice to teach TASH classes when they aren’t playing in their own games and give back to the local community that supports us.”
Take a Shot at Hockey, Black Bear’s free introductory program, introduces kids ages 4-9 to the game of hockey at no cost, and pairs with Learn to Play, which has provided 5,600 kids with free equipment as they learn the game.
“When young girls step on the ice and their instructors are college hockey players who started exactly where they are, that’s how a game grows,” added Scott Branovan, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for Black Bear Sports Group. “This partnership is what our girls hockey pipeline is all about — players developing in our programs and then turning around to grow the game for the next generation.”
The partnership reflects Black Bear Sports Group’s ongoing commitment to growing girls hockey across Michigan and keeping the game accessible and affordable for families.
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Founded in 2015 by lifelong hockey supporters, 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, the company 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 www.blackbearsportsgroup.com.