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

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

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.
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“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

RANDOLPH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear” or the “Company”) has acquired Aspen Ice Arena in Randolph, NJ (the “Arena”). The Arena houses two NHL-size ice sheets, an exercise studio and is home to the New Jersey Freeze Youth Hockey Club, Delbarton School Green Wave, Randolph Rams High School and various other local high school and recreational hockey programs. Black Bear was founded by Murry Gunty in 2015.

“We are excited to bring our industry knowledge and hockey network to northern New Jersey. Youth hockey continues to expand in the area and the Arena is a proud partner of the New Jersey Devils’ Learn to Play program.”
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“Aspen Ice is a first-class facility and will be one of the premier rinks in our portfolio,” said Murry Gunty, CEO of Black Bear. “Many talented hockey players and skaters call the Arena their home ice and we are excited for continued expansion in New Jersey—one of the top hockey states in the country. Through our network of coaches and junior hockey teams, we offer players in our ice rinks a unique opportunity to advance from youth hockey to junior hockey and into college and beyond.”

Aspen Ice is the third 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, and Jersey Shore Ice Arena in Wall, NJ, home of the Jersey Shore Wildcats.
“New Jersey is a hockey state,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. “We are excited to bring our industry knowledge and hockey network to northern New Jersey. Youth hockey continues to expand in the area and the Arena is a proud partner of the New Jersey Devils’ Learn to Play program.”


​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 twelve arenas across the United States with a total of 22 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, two youth hockey clubs and junior 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

WARMINSTER, Pa. --Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“BBSG” or the “Company”) has acquired the Revolution Ice Gardens in Warminster, PA (the “Arena”). The Arena houses two NHL-size ice sheets and is home to the Philadelphia Revolution Hockey Club, the Lady Patriots Hockey Club and various local high schools. BBSG was founded by Murry Gunty in 2015.
 
“The Revolution Ice Gardens is the hockey hub of North Philadelphia and Bucks County,” said Murry Gunty, CEO of BBSG. “Under the direction of Chris Kanaly, this rink has produced world-class hockey players like NHL draft pick Cayden Primeau. We are excited to help Chris grow the programs and in particular, to now be able to offer local youth players at the Revolution Ice Gardens a path to college hockey through our network of USHL, NAHL and EHL junior hockey teams.”

“The Arena is the 11th ice rink (20 sheets of ice) purchased by BBSG along with its three junior hockey teams,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of BBSG. “Revolution is a great complement to our existing rinks in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and we look forward to expanding our operations into Eastern PA.”

​“Black Bear Sports Group owns junior hockey teams in the nation’s top leagues scouted by the NCAA and NHL,” said Chris Kanaly, General Manager of the Revolution Elite Youth Hockey Club. “The new affiliation between Revolution Youth Elite Hockey and Black Bear Sports Group creates a unique opportunity for our players to climb the ladder of development through junior hockey into college and pro that no other club in the city can offer.”
We wish BBSG great success in continuing the growth of ice sports in Bucks County,” said Phil and Devra Pulley, previous owners of the Arena and founders of the Revolution Hockey Club.

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. Our arenas are clean and professionally managed and offer world-class recreational offerings. We focus on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, markets with a National Hockey League club presence and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. We have 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 eleven arenas across the United States with a total of 20 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, two youth hockey clubs and junior hockey franchises in the USHL, NAHL and EHL.

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

MILFORD, Conn - Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“BBSG” or the “Company”) has acquired the Milford Ice Pavilion in Milford, CT (the “Arena”). The Arena houses one NHL-size ice sheet and is home to the Southern Connecticut Stars Youth Hockey Association and various local high schools. BBSG was founded by Murry Gunty in 2015.

​“We’re thrilled to expand our operations into the strong hockey and skating communities of southern Connecticut,” said Murry Gunty, CEO of BBSG. “We look forward to continuing the strong partnerships in place with the local users in Milford.”

The Arena is the tenth ice rink purchased by BBSG along with its three Junior Hockey teams. Other ice rink holdings include Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, IL; American Heartland Ice Arena in Lincolnwood, IL; Center Ice of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL; Southwest Ice Arena in Crestwood, IL; Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, MD; Ice World in Abingdon, MD; Ice Land Skating Center in Hamilton Township, NJ; Jersey Shore Ice Arena in Wall Township, NJ; and Printscape Arena at Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA.

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. Our arenas are clean and professionally managed, and offer world-class recreational offerings. We focus on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, markets with a National Hockey League club presence and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. We have 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 ten arenas across the United States with a total of 18 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, two youth hockey clubs and three junior hockey franchises in the USHL, NAHL and EHL.

​Contacts
Black Bear Sports Group, Inc.
Murry Gunty, 240-223-1333
mgunty@blackbearsportsgroup.com

The USHL had its strongest-ever showing at the NHL Draft, as 57 players with USHL ties were selected at the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas, TX. The 57 players chosen set a new USHL record, shattering the previous mark of 51 set at the 2014 NHL Draft. 45 of those 57 players skated in the USHL during the 2017-18 season, also setting a league record, breaking the previous mark of 40 set last year at the 2017 NHL Draft. The USHL also led all junior leagues in the world with the 45 players who played in the league last season, at least 10 more than any other league in the world.
The 2018 NHL Draft marks the seventh consecutive year that 40 or more players that played in the USHL have been selected at the NHL Draft. In addition, 14 of the 17 USHL member clubs had at least one player selected who played in the nation's only Tier 1 junior hockey league, with 12 teams having multiple players chosen.Seven players with USHL ties were selected in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft on Friday, including Brady Tkachuk (Team USA), who was taken fourth overall by the Ottawa Senators. Other first round selections included Andrei Svechnikov (Muskegon Lumberjacks), Quinn Hughes (Team USA), Oliver Wahlstrom (Team USA), Joel Farabee (Team USA), Jay O'Brien (Youngstown Phantoms) and K'Andre Miller (Team USA).
 The USHL had at least four players selected in every round of the 2018 NHL Draft, including 16 of the 31 picks in the fourth round and 37 total draftees through the first four rounds. 51 of the 57 USHL players chosen who were chosen are either committed to Division 1 college hockey or have already begun their college hockey careers.

The Youngstown Phantoms, co-owned by Black Bear Sports Group, had 5 players drafted, 3 of which played a full season last year and 2 that played partial.

​In addition, 9 NAHL players were drafted over the weekend at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft including Washington Capitals 4th round selection, Mitchell Gibson. Gibson, a 6’1″ goalie from Phoenixville, PA, played for the Lone Star Brahmas during the 2017-18 season in the NAHL’s Southern Division and earned a commitment from Harvard University.
The NAHL offers elite junior hockey players (ages 17-20) the opportunity to develop, learn, train, grow and succeed, while playing for free. The North American Hockey League is unique in the fact that a vast majority of players begin their careers without an NCAA scholarship, but earn one through the course of their development in the league along with exposure to professional scouts.
During the 2016-17 season, the NAHL set a new single-season record with 305 NCAA commitments, with 70% of those being NCAA Division I commitments. In addition, 2 NAHL players that played in the league this past season were selected in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Over the course of the last five seasons, 1,200 NAHL players have made NCAA commitments and 17 have been drafted into the NHL.

The Maryland Black Bears will undergo their first season in the NAHL this September at Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, MD. The Black Bears will host their main camp July 26-29 at Rockville Ice Arena. The tryout will be open to the public.

Maryland-based sports and entertainment group reach terms with Troy and Aafke Loney
Chevy Chase, MD – Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired the co-ownership position in the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League owned by Troy and Aafke Loney. The Zoldan family retained their existing co-ownership of the team and the Phantoms will remain in Youngstown.  Black Bear, led by CEO and Founder Murry Gunty, is a Maryland-based sports and entertainment company that owns and operates ice arenas, junior hockey franchises in the NAHL and EHL, and youth sports events. Mr. Gunty is also the majority owner of SuperSeries AAA, a leading organizer of AAA youth hockey tournaments and tournament travel teams in North America.
​Black Bear worked closely with Phantoms Fireworks owner, Bruce Zoldan to complete the transaction. Mr. Gunty will serve as Chairman of the Phantoms and has named his SuperSeries partner, NHL veteran and longtime Philadelphia Flyers captain, Keith Primeau, as Vice Chairman. “We are thrilled to be part of the USHL family and to partner with Bruce Zoldan, his family, Bill Weimer and the rest of the Phantoms family” said Mr. Gunty. “The USHL is recognized across the globe as one of the world’s top junior hockey leagues. No league sends more players to college hockey than the USHL and that will continue to be our top priority in Youngstown.”
Co-owner Bruce Zoldan is excited for the newest chapter of the Phantoms. “We look forward to the new partnership with Murry, Keith and the Black Bear team,” said Mr. Zoldan. “Our new partners bring experience and expertise to this organization that we expect will have a positive impact on the team and the community. We have a wonderful partnership with Mayor Brown, City Council, Eric Ryan and the Covelli Center staff in place that we can continue to build upon. On behalf of this entire organization I’d like to thank Troy and Aafke for their leadership and friendship.”
Keith Primeau will oversee all hockey operations as Vice Chairman of the team. “I am excited to join the Phantoms and look forward to building on the team’s successes from last season,” said Mr. Primeau. “Having had two of my boys play in the USHL, I have a strong appreciation for just how competitive the league is and how it prepares players for NCAA and pro hockey. I know how passionate Murry is about the game of hockey and I am excited to be working with the Zoldans and the Phantoms team to improve upon their great season this past year.”
Black Bear Sports Group will work closely with the Zoldans to assume business and hockey operations, and fill key leadership and sales positions previously held by the Loneys. In addition to the Phantoms, Black Bear owns and operates two other junior hockey franchises: the Maryland Black Bears of the North American Hockey League and Team Maryland of the Eastern Hockey League—both based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The Youngstown acquisition brings new leadership to the Phantoms’ organization as well as a pipeline of players from Black Bear’s NAHL and EHL junior teams and its ‘AAA’ youth programs at its network of ice rinks such as the Mercer Chiefs and Team Maryland AAA. Black Bear will prioritize advancing its youth and Tier-II/III junior players up to the USHL.
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.  Our arenas are clean and professionally managed, and offer world-class recreational offerings. We focus on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, markets with a National Hockey League club presence and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. ​We have 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 nine arenas across the United States with a total of 17 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, two youth hockey clubs and three junior hockey franchises in the USHL, NAHL and EHL.
About the United States Hockey League
The USHL is the pinnacle of American junior hockey with 17 member teams. Thirty or more players from the USHL have been selected in each of the past five consecutive NHL Drafts, and more than 400 players on team rosters last season committed to NCAA Division I schools. The USHL is one of the world’s top producers of junior hockey talent.
Contact Info
Black Bear Sports Group, Inc.
Murry Gunty, 240-223-1333
mgunty@blackbearsportsgroup.com
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Written by Drew Hansen and published by the Washington Business Journal
To read: click here

To read this article, visit NAHL.com by clicking here or visit JuniorHockey.com by clicking here.