December 20, 2024 (Woonsocket, R.I.) – The Jr. Mounties Youth Hockey Program and Adelard Arena announced today the appointment of Matthew Fawcett as the Director of Youth Hockey. Fawcett will help grow the program into the top youth development program in Rhode Island. 

Under Fawcett’s leadership, the Jr. Mounties will offer youth teams at all levels to build on its existing structure. He will serve as head coach of the 13U Jr. Mounties team for the 2025-26 season and as a scout for the Maryland Black Bears of the North American Hockey League and the USHL Youngstown Phantoms.

Fawcett’s playing career began locally with the Providence Capitals before playing prep hockey at The Winchendon School. He spent time in the British Columbia Hockey League and the United States Hockey League before playing NCAA Division I hockey at Quinnipiac University and the University of Maine. Fawcett earned an MBA from Salve Regina University, combining his hockey expertise with strategic leadership. Most recently, he coached junior hockey in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) and ran skills camps with the Providence Capitals. Fawcett is co-founder of 401 Hockey Development, a comprehensive hockey development program catering to players of all ages and skill levels. 

“It’s an honor to contribute to the growth and elevation of this program while being part of Mount’s historic legacy,” Fawcett said. “With a focus on developing players on and off the ice, I’m excited to work with the rest of the program to shape its future and build the framework for continued success. I look forward to helping our players reach their full potential.”

“Matthew Fawcett is a great addition to our existing team at Mount Saint Charles and Adelard Arena,” said Black Bear Sports Group Director of Youth Hockey Patrick Choules. “His dedication to development will provide local players with tremendous opportunities to grow within our network. Matthew’s involvement in Black Bear Sports Group junior-affiliated clubs will present an unmatched path from youth to junior hockey in a program with an impressive history.”

Black Bear Sports Group entered an agreement with MSC in October to manage the historic Adelard Arena. Bruce Berard was named President of the Jr. Mounties as part of the transaction. Jr. Mounties program information will be available in the new year. 

About the Jr. Mounties Youth Hockey Program

Based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, at Adelard Arena, the Jr. Mounties are the affiliate program of the storied high school hockey program at Mount Saint Charles Academy. They are an elite program that plays in the E9/BHL hockey league and fields multiple teams, intending to develop some of the best hockey players in the region.

About Adelard Arena

Opened in 1963, Adelard Arena is a historic facility in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on Mount Saint Charles Academy’s campus. The arena is home to the 46-time State Champion high school hockey team at Mount Saint Charles and the National Powerhouse Academy teams, including the Jr. Mounties.

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 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. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 40 facilities across the United States with 76 sheets of indoor ice, 40 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, and National Girls Hockey League), two tournament businesses (Defender Hockey Tournaments and The Show Tournaments), eight Junior “A” hockey teams with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA. Black Bear TV, the broadcasting arm of Black Bear, now reaches nearly 100 sheets of ice and has quickly established itself as one of the largest hockey broadcasters in the U.S.

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Youngstown Phantoms defenseman Cal Huston will always be the first.

Huston’s debut on Covelli Centre ice earlier this month marked the first time a Youngstown native suited up in a Phantoms’ uniform on home ice. His one appearance last season during a road trip was the blueliner’s debut with his hometown team.

So far through the 2024-25 campaign, Huston has been a mainstay for the Phantoms, playing quality minutes throughout the team’s 10 games thus far.

“Cal’s worked really hard to get to where he’s gotten to, and it’s always special for a hometown kid to play in front of his friends and family,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “Credit to him. He’s done a great job.”

As a hometown kid who found his love of the sport in the same seats Phantom fans sit in today, the full-circle moment has been a special feeling.

“A lot of people asked me how it was, and it was truly unreal,” Huston said. “It was weird. I really had a lot of butterflies and my stomach was nervous for the game, because the biggest thing to me was just take it all in. You only really get that chance once. I wanted to enjoy every moment of it. I’m just super grateful for that opportunity, and especially starting that night to hear the crowd kind of roar for me, that was truly amazing.”

Huston was born in 2005, around the same time the Youngstown SteelHounds were preparing to drop the puck on their first season of play.

The SteelHounds ceased operations in 2008, and the Phantoms joined the USHL and moved to the Covelli Centre a year later. By then, Huston was hooked.

“I don’t really remember a ton from the games themselves, but I do remember sitting in section 217, at the very top — that’s actually where I used to watch the Phantoms games as well,” Huston said. “I think the thing that really drew me to it was just a fast pace. Honestly, I liked everything about that, and I liked how things were constantly moving. Different parts were meshing that created more and more. Ultimately, hockey I thought was just really cool.”

As the years went on, Huston found himself not only a growing fan of the sport, following the Pittsburgh Penguins, but also playing the sport. That included a stint with the Phantoms Youth Hockey Association.

Coming through the Phantoms youth program, Huston interacted with several players and coaches with the USHL program. Guys like Sam Anas, Kyle Connor, Ryan Lomberg, and then-coach Anthony Noreen.

Noreen is now the head coach of Miami University of Ohio’s hockey program, where Huston committed to attend. Just before his debut in Youngstown, Huston posted the news on social media.

“Coach (Ward) texted me pretty much as soon as I got on campus to Miami, and I told him ‘I’m not 100% sure yet, but this just feels right,’” Huston said. “I hadn’t met the entire coaching staff yet, or any guys or anything like that. I was still at the hotel there at Miami, waiting for the game later that night, and I told him that things just felt right. What he told me, and it was a super simple piece of advice, ‘Just trust your gut.’

“I had a good couple days there. Fell in love with the campus itself. Fell in love with the message that the coaches had, just the culture they have there and big plans and good things turn around. I think that was really what did it for me, and that’s something I want to be a part of.”

It’s a full-circle moment for both Huston and Noreen.

“We’ve joked about that for a while, texting back and forth,” Huston said. “Things have finally come full circle, and obviously, that’s super cool. I’m super excited to play for (Noreen).”

When he was younger, longtime Penguins defenseman Kris Letang served as Huston’s inspiration. As he’s grown, the Phantoms blueliner has taken bits from another defenseman and worked them into his game.

“When I was younger, I always modeled myself after Kris Letang,” Huston said. “He’s a great leader, on and off the ice. Obviously, a lot of young kids model their game after him. But now I think I’ve grasped understanding of the game and know the player I am. I think today I want to model my game more like (Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman) Jake McCabe. More of a 200-foot player playing both sides of the puck. Really sort of like a Swiss army knife, can play in all situations, can be trusted in all situations.”

Huston and the Phantoms sit 5-5-0-0 through the first 10 games. After a shaky start, which is expected with a young group, the team is turning a corner and has started gelling. Last weekend’s sweep of Sioux City has been a big source of optimism in the locker room.

“Obviously, we’re still a fairly young team, but I think this past weekend really showed our grit and determination,” Huston said. “We played a top team in the West this past weekend, and getting the sweep was huge. I think we have really good depth, and I think that’s what will take us very far.”

The Phantoms have a two-game road set against Madison this weekend. They’ll return home the following weekend to take on Chicago.

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We’re still months away from the 2025 NHL Draft, but that should not hinder excitement surrounding the draft-eligible talent playing in the USHL.

Added, the recent release of the Central Scouting Preliminary List gave us a baseline for where these players are ranked at the start of the season.

As the season progresses, these rankings certainly will evolve when the Mid-Term Rankings are published in January and the final rankings just before the draft.

With that, let’s look at how the draft-eligible players are performing in the USHL through the first two months of the season:

William Moore, C, NTDP U18 Team

Moore was one of two current NTDP skaters who checked in as an “A” rating in the initial installment of the list.

The 17-year-old’s combination of size and speed pairs well with a strong game down the middle.

Moore already has four goals and six assists, making his 10 points the most on the NTDP U18s roster through the first 14 games of the season.

While his three-game point streak ended last Saturday, Moore has been a consistent producer as the U18s work their way through the NCAA portion of their schedule.

Charlie Trethewey, D, NTDP U18 Team

Trethewey just might have the hardest shot among all defensemen in this draft class.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound blueliner has four points on two goals and two assists in 14 games so far.

Trethewey has demonstrated his ability as a two-way defenseman.

He has strong offensive instincts and plays a physical brand of defense in his own zone.

Carter Amico, D, NTDP U18 Team

While Amico checked in as a “B” rating in the preliminary rankings, he is a player who certainly could work his way into first-round conversation.

At 6-foot-5 and 217 pounds, Amico skates very well for someone his size.

Amico primarily has played a defensive role for the NTDP and can quickly shut down plays by imposing punishing hits.

Still, his mobility suggests he can provide some offense from the blueline as he continues to develop.

Adam Benak, F, Youngstown Phantoms

Benak has made the transition to the USHL look seamless.

The 17-year-old already has two goals and six assists, making his eight points the second-most on Youngstown’s roster.

Listed at just 5-foot-7, Benak rightfully was listed as a “B” rating in the initial rankings.

However, he is a player who can elevate his draft stock as he continues to produce against bigger competition.

An offensive speedster, Benak certainly has the tools to make it happen.

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The Maryland Black Bears defeated the Elmira Aviators 6-2 on Saturday, November 01, 2024.

The visiting Black Bears opened strong, at the beginning of the game with Tanner Duncan scoring within the first minute, goal assisted by Victor Mannebratt and Kareem El Bashir .

The Aviators tied the score 1-1 in the first period when Curtiss Sturgeon scored, assisted by Andrew Piccirillo .

The Black Bears took the lead in the first period when Dylan Gordon scored, assisted by Liam Doherty and Markas Samenas .

The second period ended with a 4-1 lead for the Black Bears.

Isac Nielsen made it 5-1 with a goal early in the third period, assisted by Harrison Smith and Mason Stenger.

Curtiss Sturgeon narrowed the gap to 5-2 with a goal eight minutes later, assisted by Bryce Terry and Cooper Eberhardt .

Tyler Stern also increased the lead to 6-2 with a goal two minutes later, assisted by Markas Samenas and Tanner Duncan.

Next games:
On Friday, November 08, 2024, the Aviators will host Maine at 6:30 p.m. CST at The Colisee and the Black Bears will host Rochester at 6:30 p.m. CST at Piney Orchard Ice Arena.

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In a collaboration that celebrates community spirit and the love for hockey, today, MSU Health Care Sports Medicine and Biggby Coffee announced the newly renamed Biggby Coffee Ice Cube | East Lansing.

The event highlighted the partnership between MSU Health Care Sports Medicine which sponsors the rinks, Biggby Coffee, Biggby Coffee Hockey Club, and Black Bear Sports Group. The event celebrated the ongoing efforts of MSU Health Care to support the health of Lansing-area youth participating in hockey by providing state-of-the-art facilities and partnerships that enhance the sport’s accessibility and growth.

“MSU Health Care shares many of the same values that sports like hockey instill—teamwork, resilience, and community. Like Biggby Coffee, we believe in the power of partnerships and the positive impact they have on people’s lives,” said Seth Ciabotti, CEO for MSU Health Care.

“MSU Health Care’s role in this partnership goes beyond sponsoring a name on the rink. We provide support through health education and premier sports medicine services for the athletes who call Biggby Coffee Ice Cube home for a weekend or a season. Sports like hockey teach our youth so many critical life lessons, and MSU Health Care is thrilled to be part of their journey—both on and off the ice. Our team at MSU Health Care Sports Medicine is here to ensure their health and performance are prioritized.”

During the event, attendees heard about the inception and future of the Biggby Coffee Hockey Club, the partnership with Black Bear Sports Group, and details about the new rink naming rights.

The event featured a lineup of speakers, including former MSU Hockey and Detroit Red Wings players Jason Woolley and Kip Miller.

This partnership underscores the power of community collaboration, bringing together local businesses and organizations to support youth sports and foster a spirit of teamwork and wellness.

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EAST LANSING, MI — BIGGBY® COFFEE, the high-energy coffee franchise beloved across the nation, is excited to host a celebration of hockey and the partnerships between BIGGBY® COFFEE, BIGGBY® COFFEE Hockey Club, and Black Bear Sports Group at the BIGGBY® COFFEE Ice Cube | East Lansing on Wednesday, October 16th from 9am-1pm at 2810 Hannah Blvd, East Lansing, MI 48823.

Guests in attendance will hear more about the origination and future of the BIGGBY® COFFEE Hockey Club, the Blackbear partnership, details about the new naming rights of 3 rinks in East Lansing, Ann Arbor and Brighton, Michigan as well as hear from members of MSU Health Care Sports Medicine, Lansing Sports Commission and a few alumni hockey members who will also be in attendance.

Speakers will include:
● Mike McFall, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of BIGGBY® COFFEE
● Kip Miller, BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchisee and BIGGBY® Hockey Club Coach
● Drew Miller, Former Red Wing/MSU Hockey Player
● Jason Woolley, Former Red Wing/MSU Hockey Player
● Peggy Costello and Mike Hamilton, BIGGBY® COFFEE Hockey Club
● Seth Ciabotti, CEO, MSU Health Care Sports Medicine
● Meghan Ziehmer, Executive Director, Lansing Sports Commission

Local media and community are welcome to attend this presentation. Media interviews post presentations will be available, followed by a complimentary lunch.

About The BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchise
BIGGBY® COFFEE, based in East Lansing, Mich., was started with a single store on March 15, 1995. One year later, and on the cusp of opening a second location, Bob Fish and Michael McFall, on a handshake and $4,000, decided to franchise the concept. The brand’s cultural values of Make Friends, Have Fun, B Yourself and Share Great Coffee help coffee lovers and the coffee-curious alike benefit from a less pretentious and fun approach to the standard gourmet cafe paradigm. Besides connoisseur-worthy drinks with names like Teddy Bear® and Caramel Marvel®, BIGGBY® COFFEE baristas provide a unique experience focused on brightening their customers’ day and supporting them in building a life they love. The “Big ‘B’” on the orange background caught on, and today BIGGBY® COFFEE has 400+ cafes across many states, including Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida. To learn more about franchising with BIGGBY® COFFEE, visit https://www.biggbyfranchising.com/.

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October 8, 2024 (WOONSOCKET) – Mount Saint Charles Academy (MSC) has entered into a long-term agreement for Black Bear Sports Group to manage the historic Adelard Arena. As part of that agreement, Black Bear Sports will assume all facility operations functions. In addition, Black Bear Sports will also assume management of the National Powerhouse Academy hockey teams including the Junior Mounties USA Hockey teams, formerly known as the Rhode Island Saint M’s. Mount Saint Charles will retain ownership of the storied arena.

As part of the transaction, Bruce Berard will be named President of the Junior Mounties. Bruce and his family are legends in the New England hockey community and his involvement in this transaction will also be instrumental to our hockey teams’ success.

“This is a great evolution of our hockey academy and Adelard Arena – by entering into a multi-faceted partnership with a group like Black Bear that has the expertise in elite sports management to accelerate the growth of all of our programs,” said Mount President Alan Tenreiro. “By having Black Bear take over managing those programs and that arena, it frees up school resources so we can do what we do best: cultivating a school community that educates the whole student.”

The nationally recognized hockey academy, home of the U14 USA Hockey National Champions, will continue to offer the same experience for student-athletes who are members of the academy teams under the direction of Devin Rask. Students who are part of the academy will continue to benefit from Mount Saint Charles’ top tier academic and extracurricular programs, and they will continue to be members of the re-christened Junior Mounties at the U14, U15, U16, and U18 levels. Black Bear Sports Group will maintain and upgrade the arena, manage scheduling and marketing of the building’s facilities, and manage the Junior Mountie coaching staff, schedules, and teams. Black Bear Sports will also investigate the installation of an additional sheet of ice adjacent to Adelard Arena.

The facility’s upkeep and improvements also benefit Mount Saint Charles Academy’s NEPSAC-affiliated prep school varsity, junior varsity, and middle school teams. In addition, Mount’s champion-producing Sur la Glace figure skating program will also continue to call Adelard Arena home.

Tenreiro continued: “Continuous improvement of all of our facilities, whether through partnerships like this one or direct investments like our new athletic fields, benefits all of our students. NEPSAC competitive athletes and gym classes are obvious benefactors, of course, but the school events will bring students together in these improved spaces.”

“What Mount Saint Charles has created is unparalleled in New England – a true school based academy with elite, Nationally ranked hockey teams,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group. “We thank them for the opportunity to build on their prior success and believe that involving this rink and their teams in our family of rinks, leagues and tournaments will elevate both of us to even greater success.”

“We’re excited about all of our hockey teams – the Junior Mounties and our NEPSAC prep school teams – playing on the Adelard ice this season,” continued Tenreiro. “This opens doors for extending the academy concept to girls’ teams in the future, and continuing to provide top quality facilities for all of our athletes.” 

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 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. The largest owner/operator of ice arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 40 facilities across the United States with 76 sheets of indoor ice, 40 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, and National Girls Hockey League), two tournament businesses (Defender Hockey Tournaments and The Show Tournaments), eight Junior “A” hockey teams with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC, USPHL Premier and Elite, and Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest adult hockey organization in the USA. Black Bear TV, the broadcasting arm of Black Bear, now reaches nearly 100 sheets of ice and has quickly established itself as one of the largest hockey broadcasters in the U.S.

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PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Team USA’s Under-18 Team and  the Youngstown Phantoms are set to play in the 7th annual “Play With Purpose” charity hockey game on Saturday, September 14 at USA Hockey Arena. Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. while doors will open at 5:00 p.m. Limited tickets are available now!

Longtime rivals on the ice, the two teams will now team up to play in a charity game with a greater cause in mind – to help raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. The contest will be played on the Mitchel Kiefer Memorial Rink, to remember and honor the seventh anniversary of Kiefer’s passing due to a distracted driver.

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