Black Bear Sports Group recently started the Hockey Power Rankings (“HPR”) as an alternative to MyHockeyRankings (“MHR”). MyHockeyRankings has been the only ranking source in youth hockey for many years and originally was used to help families schedule competitive games. Unfortunately, as its power grew, people and organizations have weaponized the use of MHR. Many teams refuse to play scheduled games for fear it will decrease their ranking. Many teams won’t pull a goalie in a close game for fear of giving up an empty net goal which will harm their rankings. many organizations have figured out that playing a small bubble of teams/games protects their strength of schedule which, given that losses do not matter in MHR, artificially increases their ranking. Ultimately this is particularly important for national bound teams as USA Hockey and their affiliates are now using MHR for qualification for district and national at-large selections.

The primary problem with MHR is that its system creates a “rating” for teams that sadly are not based on wins. The higher the rating, the higher the ranking. To simplify things, the rating is based on strength of schedule and goal differentials. The rating difference between teams represents the projected score differential (the “spread”) between teams when they play. If you beat that spread, regardless of winning or losing, your ranking rises. If you do not beat the spread, your rating falls – hence the problem with pulling the goalie and giving up an empty net goal – it could damage your spread if the spread is one goal. Moreover, MHR will not share how the rating is calculated in any fashion, leaving people to wonder if teams start the season equally or if there is a carryover from the previous season. The lack of transparency from MHR makes their rating/rankings even more powerful and dangerous.

The Hockey Power Rankings is based on KRACH – the same formula used by College Hockey Power Rankings systems, one of the rankings used by NCAA Division 1 College Hockey. HPR uses wins and strength of schedule – goal differential is not relevant. We are not trying to displace MHR; instead, we are trying to give alternatives for USA Hockey, coaches and families to make decisions. We believe that teams should not be forced to turn down games due to fear of the “spread.” We hope the HPR allows teams to play more local games, limit travel, and reduce the overall costs of playing the game.

Finally, Black Bear is the largest customer of GameSheet, the electronic scoring system that, as a result of Black Bear adopting it two years ago, has now become the national standard. Black Bear asked GameSheet to provide HPR electronic access to the games that GameSheet produces, similar to the access that MHR has to ensure accuracy of posted scores. GameSheet has some form of agreement with MHR that precludes anyone else from accessing this data. Black Bear asked that MHR allow HPR access to the GameSheet data and MHR refused. Black Bear responded that if MHR will not give access to its data, then MHR could not have access to Black Bear’s data. It is a shame that MHR is acting this way – everyone is suffering because of their decisions. Black Bear stands willing to share access to its data if MHR changes their mind.

In the meantime, we have always believed that choices are better. If people do not like the HPR, they will not come to the site. If they do, we believe youth hockey will be better off.

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The move will facilitate the Mercer Chiefs organization to share resources with its affiliates for skills, scouting, coaching, billeting and other hockey operations functions. The team will continue playing in the Eastern Hockey League South Division, but will be located geographically in the center of the Division and will significantly reduce travel for the club and league partners and vastly improve the experience for our players.

“We are excited to join the decorated Mercer Chiefs program,” said Mercer EHL Head Coach, Eric Progen. “We believe this is a necessary and logical step for both our franchise and the league. The ability to collaborate with our affiliated teams under Black Bear Sports Group on such a close basis will allow for excellent player and staff development. We are excited to move into the center of the South Division to ease the travel burden on our own organization and the rest of the league.”

The Mercer EHL franchise is one of 7 junior Hockey Franchises including the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, the Maryland Black Bears of the North American Hockey League, the Mercer Chiefs and P.A.L Jr. Islanders of the USPHL NCDC and the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders Premier and Elite USPHL.

About Black Bear Sports Group: 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, 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 not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or underperforming facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 36 facilities across the United States with 68 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 34 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League), a tournament business (Defender Hockey Tournaments), seven Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and the Eastern Hockey League, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA.

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• Full Time Youth Hockey Director; Robbie Hare
• Full Time Tier 1 Hockey Director; Mark Cole
• Professional Experienced Coaches
• Competitive Schedules
• Competitive Teams at Tier I and Tier II, and secondary levels

This merger will give players a clear pathway through youth hockey at various levels of play from the Learn to Play Programs to the Tier I P.A.L. Jr Islander program.  P.A.L. and Whalers will now be able to offer multiple levels and options for players of all skill levels with movement opportunities as they grow and develop as hockey players. P.A.L.’s staff will work hard to identify players and make recommendations to Black Bear Sports Group’s affiliated Junior hockey teams (pre-college), P.A.L. Jr Islanders (NCDC), Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) and Youngstown Phantoms (USHL).

The goal of the new model will be developing homegrown players out of Long Island and advance players from Mites to the many Junior programs under P.A.L. and our affiliates, all the while maintaining its history, integrity, values, and dedicated hard work from both organizations. This consolidation will not displace any families from either organization, but it will provide more opportunity, development, greater support and expand the pathway for all our families. The relationship between both organizations has always been strong, and we are all looking forward to building on that platform and strengthening hockey on Long Island.

“I’m thrilled to combine forces with the Long Island Whalers,” expressed Mark Cole, the newly appointed Tier 1 hockey director. “Our shared passion for the sport and dedication to nurturing talent will allow us to revive and propel the Tier 1 program to prominence once again.”

“This alliance signifies a promising future for hockey on the island. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with all the resources that are available through both Black Bear and P.A.L.” stated Rob Hare, the appointed Youth Hockey director. “Our collective goal is to not only elevate the program’s quality but also expand access for aspiring young athletes passionate about hockey.”

FAQ:

1. Are any current teams being displaced? That is a good question to ask, and the answer is no. There will be a place for every current family in both organizations and in fact we will be growing the number of teams in all age groups allowing for more local players to participate.
2. Which rink will teams play out of? All team will be playing out of Northwell Health Ice Center,

The Rinx, The Hub or Iceworks. Geographical locations of players will be kept in mind while

making the practice schedule, and game ice will be available at all locations.

Questions?

While we understand there will be many questions you may have, we will be setting up meetings with each team during practices from both organizations over the course of the next month. We look forward to seeing you there!

In the meantime, please feel free to email Ron Kinnear, ronkinn@icloud.com; Mark Cole, colezy44@yahoo.com; Rob Hare, rhare@lisportshub.com

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Boca Raton, FL; September 21, 2023 – Bond Sports, the leading facility management software for the recreational sports and fitness industry, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Black Bear Sports Group, the largest owner and operator of ice rinks in the United States. As part of this five-year partnership, Bond Sports software will power Blackbear’s 36 facilities, 34 youth hockey clubs and 4 hockey leagues. 

“We are so fortunate to have found Bond Sports. including Marc, Matt and their team,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group. “The youth hockey industry is marred with old technology, none of which can handle enterprise reporting which is so vital for us to bring best in class products and services to our customers. Bond, with its customer-first mindset, has helped us to revolutionize and simplify our front-end rink-level registration and P.O.S. system, as well as our back-end scheduling and reporting systems so we can focus on what matters – our skaters in our rinks. I believe that Bond will be such a game-changer in our business that they will be the only software used in ice rinks (and possibly all youth sports venues) in a matter of a few short years.” 

The partnership makes Bond Sports the end-to-end management platform for all of Black Bears’ business lines, including programming and club registration, facility rentals, and membership management. Bond Sports will also build Black Bear’s websites and power its facility calendars and online payments. “Black Bear is the largest owner and operator of ice rinks in the United States, and it continues to invest in creating better consumer experiences,” said Marc Rothschild, Co-Founder and President of Bond Sports. “Murry and his extended team have been fantastic partners, and we look forward to helping fuel Black Bear’s incredible growth.” 

Bond Sports aims to drive greater profitability for its recreational sports and fitness facility customers by 1) improving online registration experiences for consumers, 2) delivering a more intuitive administrative interface that staff can easily learn and use; and 3) offering enterprise-level financial reporting and analytics. 

“While the recreational sports and fitness industries continue to grow rapidly, they have not had the software to easily manage and understand the key drivers of their business,” said Matt Minoff, Co-founder and CEO of Bond Sports. “Bond Sports is the first software platform that helps owners and operators unify their business on one holistic platform across all of their locations and business lines.”

About Bond Sports
Bond Sports is the leading software solution serving the recreational sports and fitness market. We help anyone that owns or operates a place to play sports better manage their courts, fields, ice, pools, gyms, or other spaces. This includes the tools to manage their calendar, rentals/events, program management and registrations, memberships, point of sale systems and their financial reporting and analytics. Our name is derived from our belief that sports can create lifelong bonds between people and communities. By providing facilities with a comprehensive facility management platform, Bond Sports helps to grow our facility partner’s business and increase access for participants. 

About Black Bear Sports Group: 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, 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 not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or underperforming facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 36 facilities across the United States with 68 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 34 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League), a tournament business (Defender Hockey Tournaments), seven Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and the Eastern Hockey League, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA.

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Canonsburg, PA – Printscape Arena at Southpointe unveiled two new additions for the 2023-2024 season at a ribbon-cutting ceremony today including a new state-of-the-art center for Sports Performance Training by UPMC Sports Medicine and the addition of a second ice sheet.

“UPMC Sports Medicine is excited to work with the many athletes and families who call Printscape Arena at Southpointe home,” said Brian Hagen, Vice President of Operations for UPMC Sports Medicine and UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. “We’re confident that our sports performance services will make a significant impact on athletes’ training, helping them avoid injuries while focusing on achieving optimal performance in their sport.”

“We are thrilled to be able to extend our unwavering commitment to growing participation in ice hockey and figure skating with the expansion of the second ice rink at Printscape Arena,” said Black Bear Sports Group Founder and CEO, Murry N. Gunty. “The addition of Sports Performance Training by UPMC Sports Medicine is certain to take the total athlete development experience to a new level.”

About UPMC: UPMC is a world-renowned, nonprofit health care provider and insurer committed to delivering exceptional, people-centered care and community services. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC is shaping the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research, and education. Dedicated to advancing the well-being of our diverse communities, we provide more than $1 billion every year in community benefits, more than any other health system in

Pennsylvania. Our 95,000 employees — including more than 5,000 physicians — care for patients across 40 hospitals and 800 doctors’ offices and outpatient sites in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland, as well as overseas. UPMC Insurance Services covers 4.5 million members with a focus on providing the highest-quality care at the most affordable price. To learn more, visit UPMC.com.

About Sports Performance at UPMC Sports Medicine: Sports Performance at UPMC Sports Medicine has the expertise to provide individuals with the tools and techniques to achieve peak performance in sports and in all of life’s physical activities. Our team looks at the entire person to help you achieve overall wellness. Our philosophy is that everyone is an athlete. We strive for efficiency of human movement through the enhancement of functional movement, practice of integrated movement training, and correction of imbalances in sports – and in life.

About Printscape Arena at Southpointe: Printscape Arena is owned by Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. is a multi-purpose sports arena located in Canonsburg, PA. Opened in 1995, the 125,000 square-foot arena is one of the South Hills most heavily visited venues with over one million in foot traffic annually. The arena includes two NHL-sized ice rinks that also provide for dry floor programming such as sporting events, expos, trade shows, shows and concerts in April through July as well as many on site businesses including Printscape Imaging and Graphics, Bubba’s Gourmet Burghers and Beer,  Rinkside Café, Shane Clifford Goalie School, Whitehall Health Centre and Laser Spa, House O’ Hockey Retail Store, and Sports Performance Training by UPMC Sports Medicine. Printscape Arena at Southpointe provides for a variety of corporate and community functions, groups, field trips, programs, drop in programs as well as leagues and is the home ice for South Pittsburgh Rebellion Hockey Club, Canon McMillian Hockey, Peters Twp Hockey, and Trinity Hockey.

About Black Bear Sports Group: 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, 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 not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or underperforming facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 36 facilities across the United States with 68 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 34 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League), a tournament business (Defender Hockey Tournaments), seven Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and the Eastern Hockey League, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA.

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2023 USHL Clark Cup Champion Youngstown Phantoms affiliated academy to field teams at U18, U16 and U15

Bethesda, MD – Black Bear Sports Group, Co-owner of the 2023 USHL Clark Cup Champion Youngstown Phantoms, has announced the formation of the Black Bear National Academy. The program will begin play in the 2024/25 season and will call Black Bear’s Philadelphia area ice arenas home, fielding elite, nationally ranked Tier 1 AAA teams at the U18, U16, and U15 levels. The Black Bear National Academy will be led by General Manager, Chris Kanaly, as well as Director of National Scouting, Dennis Scuderi, and will partner with its national-bound Tier 1 AAA affiliates in the region – the Mercer Chiefs, Flyers Elite, Philadelphia Revolution, and Palmyra Black Knights – to compete for a national championship.

“The Black Bear National Academy will be centered on academic and athletic excellence,” General Manager Chris Kanaly declared. “Our players will be provided with best-in-class coaching, athletic development and cognitive hockey training.”

“We will compete with the best at the Midget Tier 1 AAA level in our inaugural season,” said Director of National Scouting, Dennis Scuderi. “We are excited to add to the advancement opportunities that will support players around the world as well as the expansive Black Bear Sports Group network of Tier 1 AAA teams that amasses over 2,000 players.”

“This is a natural extension of our pyramid of development as we look to feed our USHL, NAHL, USPHL, and EHL junior teams with the best U18/U16/U15 hockey players in the country,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group. “Chris Kanaly and Dennis Scuderi are extraordinary leaders who have a proven history of developing players and advancing them to the next level of their hockey journey and we are fortunate to have them leading this effort.”

Player applications are open today. For more information and to inquire, go to www.blackbearnationalacademy.com

About Chris Kanaly, General Manager
Chris Kanaly is the outspoken and fierce leader of the Black Bear National Academy program. He has a passion for the game and for the organization that is second to none. He has served for 15 years as the General Manager of the Philadelphia Revolution and is entering his 3rd season as Director of Hockey Operations with the Flyers Elite Tier 1 AAA program. Kanaly has over 25 years of coaching and management experience from the youngest levels of youth hockey up through and including the professional level. During his illustrious tenure with these programs, he has sent over 200 student-athletes to the NCAA level. He now continues to mentor and coach multiple players who continue their careers in the NHL. His reach goes well beyond the Philadelphia and New Jersey markets. Chris also serves on the staff of the 2023 Clark Cup Champion, Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, and serves as a regional scout for the NAHL Maryland Black Bears. During his 15-year tenure of managing hockey teams, he has changed the culture of those programs to one that focuses on player procurement, development, and advancement.
Email: ckanaly@blackbearsportsgroup.com

About Dennis Scuderi, Director of National Scouting
Dennis grew up in an active sports family and played football at all levels, including Division 1 at Monmouth University. After graduating with an exercise science degree, Dennis continued his passion for sports through coaching and recruiting.  Dennis spent over 25 years as a high-level coach/recruiting coordinator at every level, including 12 years as a head high school coach, and stops at D1 and D3 football programs. At these programs, Dennis held multiple roles including player development, director of recruiting operations, managing coordinating units, and coach. While in these positions, Dennis held responsibilities that included all aspects of recruiting operations, such as budget planning/tracking, player evaluation, player selections, and other day-to-day operations of recruiting. According to multiple recruiting services, he was part of two recruiting classes that finished as high as second in the Big East. During his tenure as a head coach, Dennis was not only responsible for getting his players ready for game day, but also for staff management, practice organization helping hockey players reach their true potential at the highest level possible by advising them and their families on the opportunities available in and implementation, management of personnel, and budget for all related activities. Over the past 5 years, Dennis has continued his passion for sports by helping hockey players reach their true potential at the highest level possible by advising them and their families on the opportunities available in the sport of ice hockey. Dennis currently lives in Medford, NJ, and is a very active participant in the hockey community across the United States and Canada.
Email: dscuderi@blackbearsportsgroup.com

About Black Bear National Academy‍
The Black Bear National Academy is the midget hockey academy affiliate of the 2023 Clark Cup USHL Champion Youngstown Phantoms. The program, based out of Black Bear’s Philadelphia area ice arenas, will support teams at the U18, U16, and U15 Tier 1 AAA level in partnership with Black Bear’s National Bound AAA affiliates: the Flyers Elite, Mercer Chiefs, Philadelphia Revolution and Palmyra Black Knights, bringing together the best of those organizations with elite national players.  The program will target the development of NCAA Division I caliber athletes led by General Manager, Chris Kanaly, as well as National Scouting Director, Dennis Scuderi. The program will embrace many innovative initiatives like the “Black Bear Top 50”, with core values centered on cognitive game analysis and advanced training. The Black Bear National Academy’s affiliated teams will play an elite schedule, compete at top Tier 1 AAA events, in partnership with Black Bear AAA teams, vie for Nationals and offer visibility to leading junior hockey, Division I and NHL coaches and scouts for all its players.

 About Youngstown Phantoms
The 2023 Clark Cup Champion Youngstown Phantoms are members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), recognized as the top Tier I junior hockey league in the country. The Phantoms have had over 200 players commit to NCAA Division I schools, with 29 of them being drafted into the NHL. The organization is co-owned by Bruce Zoldan, CEO of Phantom Fireworks, and Murry Gunty, founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. In addition to their on-ice contributions, Phantoms’ players actively engage with the Mahoning Valley community, participating in school readings and teaching sessions for young hockey enthusiasts.

About Black Bear Sports Group
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, 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 not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or underperforming facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 36 facilities across the United States with 68 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 34 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League), a tournament business (Defender Hockey Tournaments), seven Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and the Eastern Hockey League, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA.

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Keynote speakers for the event were Kevin Acklin, President of Business Operations, Pittsburgh Penguins; Jamison Roth, General Manager, PennWest California Hockey Club; Jared Hill, President, Elizabeth Forward High School Hockey; Peter Adamo, Regional President for the Southwestern Region, Penn Highlands Healthcare; Scott Branovan, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing/Regional

Business Manager for Western PA, Black Bear Sports Group; Bubba Show – Bubba and Melanie, Star 100.7; Ryan Patrick, Director of Adult Hockey, Foundry Adult Hockey and John Gill, Chief Executive Officer, cfsbank. The ribbon cutting was led by Leanna Spada, Executive Director, Mon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“We are proud to be part of the cfsbank Event Center,” stated cfsbank President and Chief Executive Officer, John Gill. “This venue provides so many opportunities to enhance the quality of life for the Mon Valley and our sponsorship of it, as well as our involvement in the first ever free community day on August 19^th, represents our continued commitment to this community.

“We are thrilled to carry forward the longstanding tradition of great ice sports and entertainment this venue has brought to the Mon    Valley by Jim Murphy and his team for many years,” said Black Bear Sports Group Founder and CEO Murry N. Gunty. “We appreciate John Gill and cfsbank, they are a fantastic community partner.”

About cfsbank Event Center – cfsbank Event Center, owned by Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. is a multi-purpose venue located in Belle Vernon, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania also known as the Mon Valley. The venue measures 65,000 square feet and includes a 2,500-seat arena, a banquet center, meeting rooms, party rooms and a 7-acre outdoor area that is host to many concerts, shows, sporting events, trade shows, expos and corporate or community events that are supported by a fully equipped restaurant, sports pub, concessions, and catering kitchen. The cfsbank Event Center offers a full array for programs, drop-in programs, leagues, themed skating events, public skating, birthdays parties and is the home of The Mon Valley Youth Hockey Association, Penn West-California University Hockey, Ringgold High School Hockey, Elizabeth Forward High School Hockey, Thomas Jefferson High School Hockey and Foundry Adult Hockey. For more information, go to www.cfsbankeventcenter.com.

About cfsbank – cfsbank is a full-service community bank headquartered in Charleroi, PA. It has been an independent and locally managed mutual savings bank since 1935. cfsbank operates 10 offices, spanning four counties including Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties. With a team of 80+ people, cfsbank is committed to exceeding the expectations of our customers and the growth and development of the markets they serve. For more information, go to www.cfsbank.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, 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 not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or underperforming facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 36 facilities across the United States with 68 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 34 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League), a tournament business (Defender Hockey Tournaments), seven Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and the Eastern Hockey League, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA.

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NJOI, a leader in Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine for over four decades, brings a wealth of expertise and a comprehensive suite of services to support athletes of all levels at these facilities. Their strength lies in their medical prowess, team-centric approach, and steadfast commitment to improving patient outcomes.

“We are excited to announce that the New Jersey Orthopaedic Institute (NJOI) will be the official orthopedic provider of SportsCare Arena, Skylands Ice World as well as the NJ Jets and North Jersey Skylands Kings Youth Hockey Clubs,” said Scott Branovan, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for Black Bear Sports Group. “This partnership continues to support our mission and culture of effectively reaching into the community and promoting physical activity, safety, and healthy lifestyles for our athletes and families both inside and outside of our ice arenas.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Black Bear Sports Group to provide the highest level of musculoskeletal treatment, concussion diagnosis, and management as well as providing guidance on hockey-specific injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and nutrition,” said Vincent McInerney, MD, Founder and President of NJOI.

About New Jersey Orthopaedic Institute

NJOI was founded in 1982 by President Vincent McInerney who has experience as a team physician for the Boston Bruins and he is the only orthopaedic surgeon in NJ to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). Dr. Michael Shindle MD has been a recent addition to NJOI and has experience as a Team Physician for the NJ Devils and USA Hockey, Player Safety Coordinator for the Atlantic District of USA Hockey, and a member of the Black Bear Sports Group Medical Advisory Board. NJOI has convenient locations in Morristown, Wayne, West Milford, Butler, and Clifton and will be expanding into West Orange. Same-day appointments are available to expedite treatment for all musculoskeletal injuries as well as for concussion management and clearance. To learn more, visit www.njortho.org

About SportsCare Arena & Skylands Ice World

SportsCare Arena and Skylands Ice World are Black Bear Sports Group-owned facilities designed to cater to the needs of all ice-related activities and events in Northern New Jersey. SportsCare Arena is a modern sports complex, equipped with top-notch facilities, supporting a range of parties and events. SportsCare Arena is home to many local high schools and prep schools as well as the North Jersey Kings (Tier II), NJ Jets (Tier I), and the NJ Renegades (Eastern Hockey League). Its design facilitates smooth operation of tournaments and games, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the sporting events held. Nearby, Skylands Ice World offers a year-round ice-skating venue for various activities including figure skating, ice hockey, and casual skating. Its well-maintained facilities ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for users of all skill levels. Skylands hosts many teams including the North Jersey Skylands Kings (Tier II) and the Skylands Skating Academy. Both facilities house SportsCare Physical Therapy clinics, offering quality care and individual attention for patients from all walks of life. Together, SportsCare Arena and Skylands Ice World form a comprehensive sports and leisure infrastructure, meeting a diverse array of community needs.

About NJ Jets and North Jersey Skylands Kings Youth Hockey Clubs

The Skylands Kings are a USA Hockey Tier II Organization. The Kings are proud members of the Atlantic District and the New Jersey Youth Hockey League (NJYHL). The Kings have found success at the team level with many championships in their 8-year tenure including a berth in USA Hockey National Championship, Atlantic District Banners, Bell Capital Cup Banner, Silver Stick Banners, NJYHL Banners, and State Titles.

Founded in 2020, the Jets Elite are based out of SportsCare Arena and provide a solution for players and families alike looking for a quality program at a reasonable price. Too many programs are overcharging players in New Jersey and not delivering a quality product. As a result, Black Bear Sports Group founded the Jets Elite after acquiring SportsCare in 2019.

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, 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 not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or underperforming facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 36 facilities across the United States with 68 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 34 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League), a tournament business (Defender Hockey Tournaments), seven Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and the Eastern Hockey League, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA.​

The post Black Bear Sports Group Partners with World-Class Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Specialist, New Jersey Orthopaedic Institute first appeared on Black Bear Sports Group.

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“Growing girls’ hockey is one of our biggest initiatives,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group. “Shelly’s illustrious career as a player and a coach makes her a perfect fit to lead our girls’ hockey initiatives into the future. We are thrilled that she chose to join the Black Bear Sports Group team.”

“I am impressed with Black Bear Sports Group’s commitment to growing girls’ hockey, and advancing players,” said Shelley Looney. “With the addition of Tier 1 this season at the Princeton Tiger Lilies, we have a great platform to attract players, develop them at every level, and support their advancement; truly an exciting time and a great opportunity to make a positive impact on girls’ hockey.”

About Shelley Looney
Shelley Looney grew up in Brownstown, MI, and during her time at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, from 1991-94, she left an indelible mark on collegiate hockey, securing multiple awards such as ECAC All-Star, 1993 ECAC Tournament MVP, and ECAC Player of the Year (1993-94). In recognition of her achievements, Northeastern University inducted her into its prestigious Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999. During her 13-year tenure with USA Hockey, Shelley experienced tremendous success as a Women’s National Team player, participating in 8 World Championships and 2 Olympics. In 1998, her game-winning goal led the United States to Olympic gold in Nagano, Japan, and she also won a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. From 2006-2012, she served as the girls’ coaching director for the New Jersey Colonials.

Subsequently, in 2014, Shelley assumed the co-head coach position for the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League while simultaneously taking on the role of hockey director for both the girls’ and boys’ programs at the Buffalo Bison Hockey Association (2014-2019). Her expertise led to her appointment as the head coach of Lindenwood University’s Division I program in July 2019, where she spent the last 4 years nurturing the program’s growth. Most recently, Shelley served as an assistant coach with the USA Hockey Women’s National Team, achieving a silver medal in the IIHF 2022 World Championships.

About Princeton Tiger Lilies
The program is led by General Manager Shelly Looney who works alongside with Rebecca Morse, Director of Hockey. Former General Manager Tim Chase is continuing his involvement an advisor for the club in addition to his new role as Northeast Regional Director- Black Bear Sports Group, Director of Hockey at ProSkate and General Manager of Mercer Chiefs Tier 2.

Since its inception in 1992, Princeton Tiger Lilies has continually fielded competitive Tier II and now Tier I teams at various age levels. The driving force behind the club lies in its unwavering commitment to providing elite hockey training, education, mentorship, and resources to its players. Tailoring its programs to cater specifically to its athletes, PTL invests in player development at all levels, empowering them to reach their goals.

An integral part of this player-centric approach is the presence of accomplished coaches, many of whom are women with illustrious careers at the highest echelons of the sport, including NCAA Division I, professional, and national teams. These passionate mentors are dedicated to growing the game and imparting their vast knowledge and experiences to shape players into strong, confident leaders.

About Black Bear Sports Group
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, 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 not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or underperforming facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 36 facilities across the United States with 68 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 34 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, and National Girls Hockey League), a tournament business (Defender Hockey Tournaments), and seven Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and the Eastern Hockey League, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA.

The post Former Olympian Shelley Looney to Lead Princeton Tiger Lilies Tier 1 Girls Hockey Club first appeared on Black Bear Sports Group.

The post Former Olympian Shelley Looney to Lead Princeton Tiger Lilies Tier 1 Girls Hockey Club appeared first on Black Bear Sports Group.

The post The National Girls Hockey League Celebrates 5 Years first appeared on Black Bear Sports Group.

The post The National Girls Hockey League Celebrates 5 Years appeared first on Black Bear Sports Group.