Top East Coast AAA Youth Hockey Clubs Partner with SuperSeries for New Showcase Series

Bethesda, MD (March 15, 2021) – SuperSeries AAA (“SuperSeries”) is pleased to announce the formation of the Eastern Exposure Series (“EES”) to start play in the upcoming 2021-2022 season. The EES is a collection of premier Tier I/AAA youth hockey organizations that share a vision for player-focused development. The regional showcase series will bring some of the Northeast’s highest rated players and organizations together beginning this fall. The EES will be built around the following founder organizations at the 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U levels: Boston Hockey Academy, Cape Cod Whalers, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, Esmark Stars, Flyers Elite, Mercer Chiefs, New Jersey 87’s Elite, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, Philadelphia Revolution, Rochester Jr. Americans, Rockets Hockey Club, Team Maryland, and Westchester Express.

The EES will be accepting applications from guest teams who would like to attend our events.  

EES events will be focused on exposure and development, all the while maintaining competitive games at each level. All games will be streamed live with broadcasters providing maximum collegiate, junior hockey and prep school exposure. Line charts will be published for every game and data analytics software packages will be made available for purchase for all players. Each showcase will feature four games at every level with schedules geared to minimize school absences as well as a calendar that will accommodate league schedules by avoiding large league weekends as much as possible.

“We are thrilled to follow-up our highly successful Midwest Exposure Series with the EES,” said Steve Dubinsky, former NHL player and Co-Founder of SuperSeries. “We believe that we have the right partners on the East Coast and that we will provide competitive games with great exposure for players looking to move on to Juniors and Collegiate play.” 

“SuperSeries has a reputation for providing highly competitive games at all levels of play,” said Jeremy Dallow, Co-Founder and Commissioner. “We expect to continue this philosophy while providing unmatched exposure to our EES founders thru the use of the best technology, broadcasting, and analytics in the industry.” 

About the Eastern Exposure Series
The Eastern Exposure Series is a USA Hockey Sanctioned, Tier I youth hockey showcase series that provides elite AAA games throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, while trying to provide maximum collegiate and junior hockey exposure for its club members and families. The EES is managed by SuperSeries AAA on behalf of its 12 founder clubs and will initially have over 120 AAA teams during its inaugural 2021-22 season. 

About SuperSeries AAA
SuperSeries AAA is the leading AAA/Tier I tournament and showcase company in North America. SuperSeries hosts 50 events annually throughout the USA and Canada, including the signature events Boston Breakout, Top Tie, the Triple Crown and The Clash. SuperSeries also sponsors the Exposure Series including both the Midwest and Eastern Series, monthly showcase events designed to promote our customers’ players to play in college. SuperSeries AAA is led by Jeremy Dallow and ex-NHLers Steve Dubinsky and Wayne Primeau.  

Contact Info
SuperSeries AAA
Jeremy Dallow, Commissioner
jeremy@superseriesaaa.com

Blackstreet Capital Holdings affiliate Black Bear acquires Second Jersey Shore ice rink

March 12, 2021 10:34 AM Eastern Standard TimeHOWELL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired Howell Ice Arena in Howell, NJ (the “Arena”). The Monmouth County based ice skating rink features two ice sheets, a snack bar and a pro shop. Over 500 local youth and high school hockey players use the Arena as their home ice rink. Black Bear, the largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015. Howell Ice Arena was the ninth ice rink acquisition by Black Bear in New Jersey to date.

“We now have the foundation to create one of the strongest Tier II clubs in the state as well as the ability to develop a first class organization that plays AAA level competition that finally serves the needs of our families in that part of New Jersey.”

Black Bear owns and operates the Jersey Shore Arena in Wall, NJ, and operates the Jersey Shore Wildcats youth hockey club, member of the New Jersey Youth Hockey League. Black Bear recently announced the formation of the Atlantic Hockey Federation (“AHF”), a new Tier-II hockey showcase league in the Mid-Atlantic in which the Wildcats will participate.

“With our Jersey Shore Arena three-rink facility just five miles away, we expect to accommodate all of our existing customer’s needs and deliver higher quality programming to the community with the two rinks working together,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. ”We expect to build on the strong foundation of figure skating and hockey at Howell Ice Arena and bring more tournaments and competitions to the area, including AHF showcases next season.”
​
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 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. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 25 facilities across the United States with 47 sheets of indoor ice, three indoor turf fields, 15 youth hockey clubs and three Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.

​Princeton, NJ (February 16, 2021)- The Princeton Tiger Lilies Girls Hockey Club announces the hiring of Rebecca Morse to serve as the club’s Director of Hockey. Rebecca will be directing all aspects of the club, including coaching and player personnel and development. 
 
Rebecca is currently an assistant captain for the Metropolitan Riveters in the National Women’s Hockey League. A fan favorite and NWHL All-Star, Rebecca has played for the Riveters for the past five seasons after a four-year standout collegiate career at Providence College. 
 
Rebecca also has ten years of experience as a coach and instructor, most recently as the Girls Hockey Director for the Union Thunder Youth Hockey Club. Her passion for developing hockey as a game for everybody earned her the 2020 NWHL Foundation Award for her service to the game. 
 
“My vision for PTL is to be THE option for girls in the region who are looking to improve their hockey skills and training, expand their knowledge of the game, and pursue a future in the sport,” said Rebecca Morse. “The program has a rich history that dates back to before I started playing youth hockey in New Jersey. I plan to foster a culture that honors this history, yet continuously strives to elevate it to new heights for generations to come. If the majority of girls coming out of our program are still involved in hockey in 10 years, regardless of the level, I'll know that I've done my job”.
 
“We are very excited to have Rebecca Morse lead PTL and help it grow back into a dominate program in the Mid Atlantic area.  We want to build a strong program from the bottom up and develop talent that will get them the opportunity to play at the collegiate level,” said Tim Chase. Director of Girls Hockey- Northeast Region, Black Bear Sports Group., “There is a lot of room for growth in girls hockey and Rebecca will play an integral part of the process in not just the Princeton area but in the entire region where Black Bear has a footprint”
 
The Princeton Tiger Lilies was founded in 1992, making it the oldest and most established girls hockey program in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Alumni from the program have gone on to the play at the NCAA Division I and the NWHL. In partnership with their home rink, Ice Land in Hamilton, NJ, and Black Bear Sports Group, the club looks to help grow girls hockey across the region. More information about the club can be found at princetontigerlilies.org.
 
 
About Black Bear Sports Group
Black Bear Sports Group 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 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. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’ footprint totals 24 facilities across the United States with 45 sheets of indoor ice, three indoor turf fields, 15 youth hockey clubs and three Junior “A” hockey franchises.  For more information, visit Black Bear Sports Group.com
 
For More Information on Princeton Tiger Lilies , Contact: 
Rebecca Morse
rebecca@proskatenj.com
 
Tim Chase
timchasenjstars@gmail.com 


 

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired Center Ice Arena in Delmont, PA (the “Arena”). The Arena features three NHL ice sheets, a hockey training center, pro shop and attached gym and restaurant. The Arena is home to the Allegheny Badgers Youth Hockey Club and many recreational and figure skaters in the area. The Arena frequently hosts youth hockey tournaments and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League high school and middle school games throughout the year. Black Bear, the largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.

​“We are thrilled to add another ice arena in the Pittsburgh area to our portfolio,” said Murry Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “We look forward to continuing the strong partnerships in place with the local users in Westmoreland County and bringing new and exciting hockey and skating programming to our customers.”

Black Bear owns and operates Printscape Arena in Canonsburg, PA (formerly known as Iceoplex at Southpointe) and co-owns and operates the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League in Youngstown, OH. Black Bear recently announced the formation of the Atlantic Hockey Federation (“AHF”), a new Tier-II hockey league in the Mid-Atlantic.

“Pittsburgh is a passionate hockey city,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. ”We expect to build on the strong tradition of Badgers hockey at Center Ice, expanding on tournaments at the Arena, and welcoming the Badgers into AHF showcases. Moreover, we have a great team in Pittsburgh led by Scott Branovan, an industry veteran, who has done an amazing job with Printscape Arena and will do great things for our customers at Center Ice.”


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 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. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 24 facilities across the United States with 45 sheets of indoor ice, three indoor turf fields, 15 youth hockey clubs and three Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.

Philadelphia, PA (January 27, 2021)- Black Bear Sports Group has created a new invitation only tournament hockey team at the 2006 birth year level called Black Bear Selects. The team will compete at the international World Selects Trophy from June 28-July 2, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. 
 
The World Selects Trophy tournament feature the top teams and players from the United Sates, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic and more. The tournament is considered one of the most highly scouted and competitive events in youth hockey. 
 
The Black Bear Selects will be led by Chris Kanaly, Rob Broderick, Chad Dlugolecki, and Pat Ferrill, four elite coaches in the Atlantic District, to build and guide an elite group of youth hockey players born in 2006. The coaches will use advanced scouting, coaching relationships, and player identification to select the team. 
 
"Through the tireless efforts of our amazing coaches, I am thrilled that we can offer this program to our players," said Murry Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group.  "It’s an honor for us to have the opportunity to send our young athletes to this event where they can compete against the best 2006 born hockey players in the world.”  
 
Black Bear Selects is a continuation of Black Bear Sports Group’s commitment to the ladder of youth hockey development from the youngest players in their learn-to-play hockey programs through their junior hockey programs that compete at the highest levels in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League. Black Bear Sports Group currently owns fifteen youth hockey clubs at the Tier I and Tier II levels and three junior hockey franchises in the USHL, NAHL, and EHL.  
 
About Black Bear Sports Group
Black Bear Sports Group 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 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. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’ footprint totals 23 facilities across the United States with 42 sheets of indoor ice, three indoor turf fields, 15 youth hockey clubs and three Junior “A” hockey franchises.  For more information, visit Black Bear Sports Group.com

Harrisburg, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. ("Black Bear") has acquired Twin Ponds East Arena in Harrisburg, PA (the "Arena"). The Arena features two NHL ice sheets and one smaller training sheet, a café, pro shop, and athletic turf designed for baseball training. The Arena is home too many figure skaters and youth hockey players in the area and frequently hosts youth hockey tournaments and central Pennsylvania middle school and high school games throughout the year. Black Bear, the largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.

"The Harrisburg region has a rich hockey history and we are excited to continue building and supporting ice sports in the area," said Murry Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. "Twin Ponds fits perfectly in our network of ice rinks including York, PA, Northern Maryland, Delaware and the Philadelphia region and in particular this rink will be a great fit for our new league, the Atlantic Hockey Federation and for our tournament businesses."

Twin Ponds East Arena historically has served as home ice to the Hershey Jr. Bears Youth Hockey Club, the Capital City Vipers Youth Hockey Club and the Central Pennsylvania Figure Skating Club.

"We hope to expand on the figure skating, learn-to-skate and learn-to-play hockey programming to grow skating and hockey in the Capital Region," said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. "We also look forward to using our network and existing clubs too grow AA hockey in the region and present youth players with college hockey ambitions the ability to access our network of junior hockey franchises."

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 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. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear's footprints totals 23 facilities across the United States with 42 sheets of indoor ice, three indoor turf fields, 15 youth hockey clubs and three Junior "A" hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League. 

The Princeton Tiger Lilies have partnered with Black Bear Sports Group to expand access to girls hockey in New Jersey. The Tiger Lilies currently use Ice Land Skating Center in Hamilton, NJ and Pro Skate in South Brunswick, NJ as home ice, both Black Bear facilities, and will continue to skate out of the two rinks next season.

Partnership discussions began when Black Bear acquired Pro Skate in August 2020 and ended the summer shut down implemented by prior ownership. Rink personnel at Pro Skate manage all operations for the New Jersey Stars, a tier-II youth club. Black Bear rink personnel at Ice Land manage all operations for the Mercer Chiefs, a tier-one boys club. With existing infrastructure and supporting personnel in place, the new partnership ensures the long-term viability of the Tiger Lilies club as girls hockey continues to grow in the area. 

Black Bear will seek a Hockey Director to oversee in the Tiger Lilies and begin planning for next season. Effective immediately, Tim Chase has been named Director of Girls Hockey - Northeast Region for Black Bear Sports Group and will assume the role of Interim Hockey Director for the Tiger Lilies to facilitate the management transition. Black Bear expects to expand learn to play initiatives to grow the game and offer more girls off-season programming. Coach Chase currently serves as the Hockey Director of Pro Skate and General Manager of the New Jersey Stars Youth Hockey Club. He also serves as a Scout for Black Bear's junior hockey clubs, the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) and Maryland Black Bears (NAHL).       

Contact Information
Tim Chase
Timchasenjstars@gmail.com

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Black Bear Sports Group, Inc., (“Black Bear”), Keith Primeau, the Montgomery Blue Devils, New Jersey Bandits, New Jersey Rockets, Hollydell Hurricanes and Team Philadelphia (the “Founders”) are proud to announce the official launch of the Atlantic Hockey Federation (“AHF”), a USA Hockey Sanctioned, Tier-II Youth Hockey League that will facilitate games and showcases for its members throughout the Mid-Atlantic. The AHF initially has over 225 teams in the league providing high quality competition at every age group and level. AHF’s goal is to act as a supplemental Tier II league to rink owners who operate clubs in the Delaware Valley Hockey League, New Jersey Youth Hockey league and Chesapeake Bay Hockey League. The AHF provides high-quality, non-league games and showcases in the Mid-Atlantic uniquely catering to its member owned clubs. The AHF will commence with four divisions of play at the AA, A1, A2 and B levels and will field youth hockey programs at the 10U, 12U, 14U, 15U/16U and 18U age levels. The AHF is truly a unique opportunity as each of the Founders and Member clubs operate at all levels of the youth and junior hockey spectrum from Mite thru to Midget at the youth level and from Tier II juniors all the way up to Tier I juniors in the USHL. The league is “run by rink owners, creating the best possible environment for our players and families,” and is run by full-time, paid professional managers and hockey executives. Keith Primeau, former Captain of the Philadelphia Flyers and Head of Operations of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms will serve as Chairman of the League and Tim Fingerhut, Varsity Head Coach at St. Augustine Prep and Hockey Director of the Igloo Jaguars, a Tier-II youth program, will be the full-time Commissioner and day-to-day head of the AHF.

The goal of the AHF is to provide high quality games while reducing the cost of hockey for our clubs and our families including for example, no “stay-to-play” hotel mandates. All showcases will be held in the Mid-Atlantic in Founder rinks with the remainder scheduled as home and away games for the individual teams and clubs. League fees will be finalized by January 1st, 2021 and the final schedule will be released in June/July for the inaugural season. The Founders received positive feedback from youth clubs during AHF’s developmental stage, and as a result anticipates fielding highly competitive youth club teams at every level for the 2021-2022 season.

Below is the expected timeline for the launch of AHF’s inaugural season:

• January 1st: Applications for new teams are live and fee structure released
• May 1st: Showcase weekends are assigned
• June 10th: Non-Showcase opponents distributed to League Members
• July 1st: Non-Showcase schedule feedback by League Members is Announced
• July 20th: Schedule is Finalized
• August 10th: Roster information input by League Members

AHF looks forward to offering high-quality and highly competitive supplemental play to the youth clubs in the Mid-Atlantic and are excited to launch AHF’s inaugural season.

​For any questions specifically related to the league please reach out to the league Commissioner at tim@atlantichockeyfederation.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 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. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 22 facilities across the United States with 40 sheets of indoor ice, two indoor turf fields, 13 youth hockey clubs and four Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.

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.”