STOCKHOLM, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired Skylands Ice World in Stockholm, NJ (the “Arena”). The Arena houses two NHL-size ice sheets, an athletic training gym, a dance studio and is home to the Skylands Kings Youth Hockey Club and various local high school and recreational hockey programs. Black Bear was founded by Murry Gunty in 2015.
“Skylands is a fantastic complement to our east-coast, and in particular our Mid-Atlantic, rinks,” said Murry Gunty, CEO and Founder of Black Bear. “The Arena has been a staple in its community as a safe and fun gathering place for local children and families. We plan to invest in the rink and continue to grow hockey and ice sports participation in the area. Skylands is truly a community rink and we are thrilled to become the steward for this important local asset.”
Skylands Ice World is the fourth 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 and Aspen Ice in Randolph, NJ, home of the New Jersey Freeze.
“The Skylands Kings are a strong youth hockey club focused on player development,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. “Through our network of coaches and junior hockey teams within the Black Bear portfolio, we offer players in our ice rinks unique opportunities to advance from youth hockey to junior hockey and to college and beyond.”
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 thirteen arenas across the United States with a total of 24 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