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.”

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.
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​“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.”

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