New Project Play report finds youth hockey participation declined 16.7% for children ages 6-12, 15.4% among teens, nationally since 2019
At same time, BBSG participation continues to grow, in large part due to availability of free and low-cost entry programs for kids
BETHESDA, MD — New data from the Aspen Institute’s Project Play demonstrates the importance of Black Bear Sports Group’s (BBSG’s) work to bring more children into the game of hockey even as overall youth hockey participation continues to decline. BBSG, a national owner and operator of ice arenas and youth hockey leagues, grew total player participation 9% from the 2024-25 season to the 2025-26 season. Yet, a new Aspen Institute Report demonstrates that core participation in ice hockey among children fell 16.7% in children ages 6-12 and 15.4% among teenagers ages 13-17 nationally between 2019 and 2025.
“At a time when youth hockey participation is trending in the wrong direction, we’re seeing the opposite,” said Andrew Goldman, Co-President of Hockey at Black Bear Sports Group. “That isn’t a coincidence. It comes from making the game more affordable and more accessible, whether that’s through Take a Shot at Hockey, Learn to Play, or scholarship support through our Foundation. We want every kid who wants to play this game to have a real path to do it, and that commitment extends directly to girls hockey, where we’ve kept growing our programming right alongside national momentum.”
In the markets where it operates, participation at Black Bear Sports Group rinks increased from 5,515 to 6,008 players last season. BBSG’s mission is to make hockey more accessible for the next generation of hockey players and create new and improved pathways for hockey players to achieve their goals at the junior, collegiate and professional levels of the sport. The organization points to its free and low-cost entry programs as key drivers of its growth.
In 2025, BBSG launched Take a Shot at Hockey (TASH), which helps first time players ages 4-9 learn the game at zero cost. In its inaugural season (2025-2026), TASH had over 3,700 kids complete its program. Once a player graduates from TASH, they can enroll in BBSG’s Learn to Play Hockey (LTPH) program, which provides free head-to-toe hockey equipment for players to keep as they learn the game. More than 7,800 kids were helped by BBSG’s Learn to Play program and the NHL/NHLPA’s Learn to Play programming that is hosted and supported at BBSG arenas. BBSG has also pioneered similar products for adults, allowing them to try hockey for the
first time at little to no cost.
Girls’ core participation rose from 33% in 2019 to 38% in 2025, the highest level since at least 2012 and the fourth consecutive year of growth, narrowing the gender gap with boys to within five percentage points for the first time. BBSG considers growing girls hockey a cornerstone of its mission, currently hosting 11 girls’ clubs.
About Black Bear Sports Group
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.