2020 - Black Bear Sports Group

Princeton Tiger Lilies and Black Bear Sports Group Team Up to Expand Girls Hockey

admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 16:05:59 +0000

Tim Chase to oversee girls growth in the region

The Princeton Tiger Lilies have partnered with Black Bear Sports Group to expand access to girls hockey in New Jersey. The Tiger Lilies currently use Ice Land Skating Center in Hamilton, NJ and Pro Skate in South Brunswick, NJ as home ice, both Black Bear facilities, and will continue to skate out of the two rinks next season.

Partnership discussions began when Black Bear acquired Pro Skate in August 2020 and ended the summer shut down implemented by prior ownership. Rink personnel at Pro Skate manage all operations for the New Jersey Stars, a tier-II youth club. Black Bear rink personnel at Ice Land manage all operations for the Mercer Chiefs, a tier-one boys club. With existing infrastructure and supporting personnel in place, the new partnership ensures the long-term viability of the Tiger Lilies club as girls hockey continues to grow in the area.

Black Bear will seek a Hockey Director to oversee in the Tiger Lilies and begin planning for next season. Effective immediately, Tim Chase has been named Director of Girls Hockey – Northeast Region for Black Bear Sports Group and will assume the role of Interim Hockey Director for the Tiger Lilies to facilitate the management transition. Black Bear expects to expand learn to play initiatives to grow the game and offer more girls off-season programming. Coach Chase currently serves as the Hockey Director of Pro Skate and General Manager of the New Jersey Stars Youth Hockey Club. He also serves as a Scout for Black Bear’s junior hockey clubs, the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) and Maryland Black Bears (NAHL).

Contact Information
Tim Chase
Timchasenjstars@gmail.com

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Black Bear Sports Group Partners with Ice Arena Owners to Form the Atlantic Hockey Federation

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 16:06:30 +0000

BETHESDA, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Black Bear Sports Group, Inc., (“Black Bear”), Keith Primeau, the Montgomery Blue Devils, New Jersey Bandits, New Jersey Rockets, Hollydell Hurricanes and Team Philadelphia (the “Founders”) are proud to announce the official launch of the Atlantic Hockey Federation (“AHF”), a USA Hockey Sanctioned, Tier-II Youth Hockey League that will facilitate games and showcases for its members throughout the Mid-Atlantic. The AHF initially has over 225 teams in the league providing high quality competition at every age group and level. AHF’s goal is to act as a supplemental Tier II league to rink owners who operate clubs in the Delaware Valley Hockey League, New Jersey Youth Hockey league and Chesapeake Bay Hockey League. The AHF provides high-quality, non-league games and showcases in the Mid-Atlantic uniquely catering to its member owned clubs. The AHF will commence with four divisions of play at the AA, A1, A2 and B levels and will field youth hockey programs at the 10U, 12U, 14U, 15U/16U and 18U age levels. The AHF is truly a unique opportunity as each of the Founders and Member clubs operate at all levels of the youth and junior hockey spectrum from Mite thru to Midget at the youth level and from Tier II juniors all the way up to Tier I juniors in the USHL. The league is “run by rink owners, creating the best possible environment for our players and families,” and is run by full-time, paid professional managers and hockey executives. Keith Primeau, former Captain of the Philadelphia Flyers and Head of Operations of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms will serve as Chairman of the League and Tim Fingerhut, Varsity Head Coach at St. Augustine Prep and Hockey Director of the Igloo Jaguars, a Tier-II youth program, will be the full-time Commissioner and day-to-day head of the AHF.

The goal of the AHF is to provide high quality games while reducing the cost of hockey for our clubs and our families including for example, no “stay-to-play” hotel mandates. All showcases will be held in the Mid-Atlantic in Founder rinks with the remainder scheduled as home and away games for the individual teams and clubs. League fees will be finalized by January 1st, 2021 and the final schedule will be released in June/July for the inaugural season. The Founders received positive feedback from youth clubs during AHF’s developmental stage, and as a result anticipates fielding highly competitive youth club teams at every level for the 2021-2022 season.

Below is the expected timeline for the launch of AHF’s inaugural season:

January 1st: Applications for new teams are live and fee structure released
May 1st: Showcase weekends are assigned
June 10th: Non-Showcase opponents distributed to League Members
July 1st: Non-Showcase schedule feedback by League Members is Announced
July 20th: Schedule is Finalized
August 10th: Roster information input by League Members

AHF looks forward to offering high-quality and highly competitive supplemental play to the youth clubs in the Mid-Atlantic and are excited to launch AHF’s inaugural season.

For any questions specifically related to the league please reach out to the league Commissioner at tim@atlantichockeyfederation.com

About Black Bear Sports Group, Inc.
Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. is a privately held company formed by Murry Gunty and Blackstreet Capital Holdings, LLC in 2015 that seeks investments in sports and entertainment facilities, teams and youth sports events. Black Bear arenas are clean and professionally managed and offer world-class recreational programs. Black Bear focuses on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, markets with a National Hockey League club presence and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. Black Bear has the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas, but also to turn around under-managed or under-performing facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 22 facilities across the United States with 40 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, 13 youth hockey clubs and four Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.

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Comcast Spectacor Reaches Agreement of Sale With Black Bear Sports Group for Three Skate Zone Properties

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 16:05:24 +0000

PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Comcast Spectacor has reached an agreement with Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. for the sale of three of its Skate Zone ice rink locations in Northeast, Phila., Pennsauken, NJ, and Atlantic City, NJ. Full transfer of ownership and operation is planned to go into effect within 30 days pending receipt of the necessary approvals and completion of the sale.

“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of rinks with the addition of these three Skate Zone locations,” said Murry Gunty, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. “We look forward to applying our expertise to help elevate these facilities and to make an impact in the communities they serve.”

Former Philadelphia Flyers captain Keith Primeau, who initiated the talks with Comcast Spectacor, will be a minority owner in the acquisition and will spearhead the strategic vision of the three facilities. The two-time NHL All Star transitioned to the business side of the sport after his playing career and is also currently President of Hockey Operations for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. Primeau, a long-time South Jersey resident, has had decades of first-hand experience with the youth hockey market in the region and raised four children in the area including three sons who competed at every level and in these rinks.

“I have seen up close the rich tradition of youth hockey in this region and have experienced it from every angle including coaching, parenting and operations,” said Primeau. “Our goal is to foster local talent and provide them the facilities and programming to pursue their hockey dreams, whatever that level may be. My passion right now is improving the accessibility to the sport of hockey for young players and their families.”

At the conclusion of this deal, Black Bear Sports Group, a national community ice rink operator, will own and manage 22 rinks nationally including 15 in the Tri-State area. The organization also owns a number of junior and youth hockey clubs and will acquire all hockey programming at the three Skate Zone locations.

At the junior level, Black Bear currently co-owns and manages the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, and owns the Maryland Black Bears of the NAHL and Team Maryland of the EHL. Last year 28 players from the Phantoms received Division I scholarships while two were drafted in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The Maryland Black Bears sent 15 players to college hockey and seven Team Maryland players earned college commitments.

Comcast Spectacor will continue to own and operate Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone at Voorhees and will continue to focus on managing this location as the world-class training facility for the Philadelphia Flyers. A new multi-year marketing arrangement will allow Comcast Spectacor to continue to identify with these rinks and allow both the Flyers and Black Bear to promote their goods and services to each other’s respective fans and customers.

“Black Bear Sports is a proven force in elevating community ice rinks and youth hockey programming,” said Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations, Philadelphia Flyers & Wells Fargo Center. “We look forward to working with Black Bear to inspire and shape the next generation of hockey players and fans in the region.”

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Black Bear Sports Group Acquires 19th Ice Arena

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 16:03:26 +0000

South Brunswick, NJ — An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired Pro Skate Ice Arena in South Brunswick Township, NJ (the “Arena”). The Arena features two ice sheets, eight full size team locker rooms, a snack bar, pro shop and rink-operated gym. The Arena is home to many figure skaters and youth hockey players in the area and, like many of Black Bear’s arenas, hosts youth hockey tournaments throughout the year. Black Bear was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.

Pro Skate fits perfectly with our other Central and North Jersey arenas. The Arena will complement our six other neighboring rinks as a hockey tournament hub as well as bring the Stars access to all of our hockey resources. We also hope to expand on the figure skating, learn-to-skate and learn-to-play hockey programming to grow skating and hockey in the area.

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Black Bear Sports Group Acquires 18th Ice Arena

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 16:03:53 +0000

BRISTOL, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired the Grundy Ice Arena in Bristol Borough, PA (the “Arena”). The Arena features two ice sheets, an athletic training gym, café, and pro shop. The Arena is home to many figure skaters and youth hockey players in the area and, like many of Black Bear’s arenas, frequently hosts youth hockey tournaments throughout the year. Black Bear was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.

“I want to thank Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe and Borough Manager, Jim Dillon for their leadership in this transaction,” said Murry Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “While they drove a hard bargain, they were incredible to work with and the transaction would not have happened without their heavy involvement in the day-to-day negotiations and transaction execution.”

“I want to thank the Rink Authority who managed the rink for the last several years as well as our Solicitor, William Salerno, who was instrumental in completing this transaction,” said Ralph DiGuiseppe, Bristol Borough Council President. “I am happy that we were able to pay off our debt entirely with this deal, remove our operating losses, improve our tax base and still have money left over for other local projects. I am confident that Black Bear will continue to provide world class programs at our rink and that our residents will still have access to all of the ice skating activities that they have had in the past.”

“I believe that our citizens and rink employees will be in very good hands with Black Bear,” said James Dillon, Bristol Borough Manager. “The rink was for sale for an extended period, and we are confident that we achieved both the highest possible price for our Borough as well as the right long-term home for the Arena.”

“Grundy fits perfectly with our other Philadelphia area and Central Jersey arenas,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. “We expect to use Grundy and our four other neighboring rinks as a hockey tournament hub as well as bring to the Senators and Grizzlies access to all of our hockey resources. We also hope to expand on the figure skating, learn-to-skate and learn-to-play hockey programming to grow skating and hockey in the Borough.”

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Black Bear Sports Group Awarded Management Contract at York Ice Arena

admin — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 16:02:54 +0000

YORK, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug 10, 2020–
An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has entered into a management agreement to operate the York City Ice Arena in York, PA (the “Arena”). The Arena features two ice sheets, an athletic training gym, café, pro shop and a community room. The Arena is home to many figure skaters and youth hockey players in the area and, like many of Black Bear’s arenas, frequently hosts youth hockey tournaments throughout the year. Black Bear was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.

“Particularly during this very difficult time for everyone due to the COVID pandemic, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring all of our resources to the City of York and its residents, and hopefully fulfill the hopes and dreams of future NHLers and Olympians,” said Murry Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “York fits perfectly with our other Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland ice rinks and we look forward to fostering strong ties between all of our youth and junior teams, as well as our figure skating community.”

The York Ice Arena is Black Bear’s first management contract with a municipality, an expanding growth area due to the financial challenges that many municipal rinks are facing in the U.S.

“We are excited to expand into partnerships with municipal owned ice rinks,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. “We expect that this will be the first of many transactions with municipalities over the next few years.”

About Black Bear Sports Group, Inc.
Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. is a privately held company formed by Murry Gunty and Blackstreet Capital Holdings, LLC in 2015 that seeks investments in sports and entertainment facilities, teams and youth sports events. Black Bear arenas are clean and professionally managed and offer world-class recreational programs. Black Bear focuses on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, markets with a National Hockey League club presence and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. Black Bear has the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas, but also to turn around under-managed or under-performing facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 17 facilities across the United States with 31 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, seven youth hockey clubs and four Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.

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Black Bear Sports Group Acquires 16th Ice Arena – Adds First Facility in Delaware

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:02:09 +0000

NEWARK, Del.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired the Patriot Ice Center in Newark, DE (the “Arena”). The Arena features one NHL-size ice rink and one Olympic-size ice rink, an athletic training gym, café, pro shop and a martial arts studio. The Arena is home to many young skaters and players in the area and, like many of Black Bear’s arenas, frequently hosts youth and adult hockey tournaments throughout the year. Black Bear was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.

“The Mid-Atlantic region is producing more and more talented skaters and youth players. Delaware is known for quality figure skating but many young players are passionate about hockey here as well,” said Murry Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “We are excited to add Patriot to our growing portfolio of east coast ice rinks.”

The Patriot Ice Center is the first acquisition for Black Bear in Delaware and 12th investment on the East Coast. Patriot complements Black Bear’s adjacent rinks including Ice World in Northeastern Maryland and three facilities in the nearby suburban Philadelphia area: Revolution Ice Gardens, Bucks County Ice Sports Center and The Igloo at Mt. Laurel.

“We are excited to improve the facility and strengthen the skating and hockey programming at Patriot,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. “Our immediate priority is to structurally improve the ice surfaces to ensure the community has quality ice for the upcoming season and to renovate the building to enhance the customer experience going forward.”

About Black Bear Sports Group, Inc.
Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. is a privately held company formed by Murry Gunty in 2015 that seeks investments in sports and entertainment facilities, teams and youth sports events. Black Bear arenas are clean and professionally managed and offer world-class recreational programs. Black Bear focuses on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, markets with a National Hockey League club presence and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. Black Bear has the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas, but also to turn around under-managed or under-performing facilities. Black Bear currently owns and operates 16 arenas across the United States with a total of 29 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, seven youth hockey clubs and four Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.

Contacts
Black Bear Sports Group, Inc.
Ryan Scott, 240-223-1338
rscott@blackbearsportsgroup.com

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Black Bear Sports Group Acquires 14th Ice Arena – adding its fifth facility in New Jersey

admin — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 16:01:32 +0000

MT. LAUREL TOWNSHIP, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired the Igloo at Mt. Laurel in Mt. Laurel Township, NJ (the “Arena”). The Arena houses two NHL-size ice sheets, an athletic training gym, and is home to the Igloo Jaguars Youth Hockey Club and various local high school, college and recreational hockey programs. Black Bear was founded by Murry Gunty in 2015.

“The Igloo is a centrally-located hub for ice skating and hockey in southern New Jersey. With Revolution Ice Gardens to the west in Bucks County, PA, and Ice Land Skating Center to the north in Hamilton, NJ, we’re excited to add Igloo to our portfolio of ice rinks in the area,” said Murry Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “The Jaguars are a very strong Tier-2 youth program and we look forward to finally providing Jaguars players the necessary pipeline to advance to their desired levels through our AAA Mercer Chiefs and Revolution Elite AAA youth programs along with our Junior Hockey teams in the Eastern Hockey League, North American Hockey League and USHL.”

The Igloo at Mt. Laurel is the fifth acquisition for Black Bear in New Jersey. Black Bear also owns and operates Ice Land Skating Center in Hamilton, NJ, home of the Mercer Chiefs, Jersey Shore Ice Arena in Wall, NJ, home of the Jersey Shore Wildcats, Aspen Ice in Randolph, NJ, home of the New Jersey Freeze and Skylands Ice World, home of the Skylands Kings.

“We are excited to welcome the Igloo and all its skaters to the Black Bear family,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. “We expect to invest in the rink for the long term and to continue the strong tradition of Jaguars hockey and figure skating in the Arena by adding more tournaments, showcases and competitions for our players and figure skaters.”

About Black Bear Sports Group, Inc.
Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. is a privately held company formed by Murry Gunty in 2015 that seeks investments in sports and entertainment facilities, teams and youth sports events. Black Bear arenas are clean and professionally managed and offer world-class recreational offerings. Black Bear focuses on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, markets with a National Hockey League club presence and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. Black Bear has the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas, but also to turn around under-managed or under-performing facilities. Black Bear currently owns and operates fourteen arenas across the United States with a total of 26 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, four youth hockey clubs and Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.

Contact
Black Bear Sports Group, Inc.
Ryan Scott, 240-223-1338
rscott@blackbearsportsgroup.com

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