Deep Freeze Ice Arena will be the Official Practice and Training Facility of the United States Hockey League Youngstown Phantoms 

Boardman, Ohio – An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired the Deep Freeze Ice Arena in Boardman, Ohio. The Arena features one Olympic ice sheet, the Extreme Air Trampoline Park and will be the official practice and training facility of the United States Hockey League’s Youngstown Phantoms, which is co-owned by Black Bear.

“We are excited to continue our Western PA/Ohio market expansion with the addition of the Deep Freeze Ice Arena,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “This is a natural extension of our Youngstown Phantoms brand. Our team in Western PA/Ohio has a proven track record of effectively reaching into the community and providing affordable family entertainment that promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles and together with the team from Extreme Air Trampoline Park, the Deep Freeze will be no exception.

“The Youngstown Phantoms have been a part of Mahoning Valley tradition and the United States Hockey League (USHL), the country’s top junior hockey league, since the 2009 season and previously were a member of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for six seasons,” Black Bear Junior Hockey President Andrew Goldman stated. “With ownership of Deep Freeze, we can further invest in the Phantoms’ future including creation of a world class fitness facility and unlimited access to practice ice.”

About Deep Freeze Ice Arena - Deep Freeze Ice Arena is the Official practice facility of the Youngstown Phantoms and Home of Extreme Air Trampoline Park. Deep Freeze Ice Arena, owned by Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. is an ice facility located on McClurg Road in Youngstown, Ohio. The arena measures 90,000 square feet where you will find unique ice hockey, figure skating, and other programs. The facility includes one Olympic-sized ice rink operating year-round. The ice rink is complimented by a concession area as well as two meeting/party rooms that support a variety of corporate and community functions as well as group outings & field trips. Deep Freeze Ice Arena’s surface provides for a host of programs, program drop ins, leagues, and themed events. The facility is home to many user groups along with a variety of on-site businesses including Extreme Air Trampoline Park.

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, a National Hockey League club presence, and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in North America, Black Bear’s footprint totals 30 facilities across the United States with 55 sheets of indoor ice, 5 indoor turf fields/non-ice surfaces, 23 youth hockey clubs, 6 hockey leagues & tournament businesses (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League, Defender Hockey Tournaments, Foundry Adult Hockey) and 4 Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, United States Premier Hockey League NCDC and Eastern Hockey League. For more, go to www.blackbearsportsgroup.com. 

About the Youngstown Phantoms -The Youngstown Phantoms are a member of the United States Hockey League (USHL). The USHL is the country’s top junior hockey league, classified as Tier I. Prior to the 2009 season, the Phantoms were a member of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for six seasons. The Phantoms have seen over 150 players commit to NCAA Division I schools, and 29 Phantom Players have been drafted into the NHL. Multiple alumni have signed NHL contracts including Brett Murray, Scott Mayfield, Jiri Sekac, Andrej Sustr, Nathan Walker and Kyle Connor. The Youngstown Phantoms are co-owned by Bruce Zoldan and Murry Gunty. Mr. Zoldan is the Founder and CEO of Phantom Fireworks, America’s largest fireworks company. Mr. Gunty is the Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. The Phantoms produce top talent on and off the ice. Phantoms’ players are very active in the Mahoning Valley and can be found giving back on a regular basis from reading in schools, assisting in soup kitchens, or teaching youth hockey players.

Bethesda, MD- Black Bear Sports Group has finalized a multi-year marketing and sponsorship partnership with Apex Learning Virtual School. The partnership provides for the title sponsorship for the Atlantic Hockey Federation and Tier 1 Hockey Federation spring parity events as well as significant digital marketing, branding, and on-site seminars throughout the Black Bear Sports Group ice arena portfolio.
 
“Apex Learning Virtual School offers so many accredited online education options for our middle school and high school athletes,” said Black Bear Sports Group head of Sales and Marketing, Scott Branovan.  “We are thrilled to be able to share this NCAA eligible self-paced education platform as an option for the many busy athletes and families that are part of our extended hockey family.”
 
Black Bear Sports Group is doing so much to accommodate hockey families’ busy lifestyles,” said Mackenzie Beaulaurier, Apex Learning Virtual School Enrollment Coordinator. “We hope that our accredited online education options are an extension of Black Bear Sports Group’s commitment to excellence in all it does for the facilities program participants as well as the Atlantic Hockey Federation and Tier 1 Hockey Federation membership”.
 
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, 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’s footprint totaling 29 facilities across the United States with 54 sheets of indoor ice, 4 indoor turf fields, 24 youth hockey clubs, 6 hockey leagues/tournament businesses (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League, Defender Hockey Tournaments, Foundry Adult Hockey) and 4 Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, United States Premier Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.  For more, go to www.blackbearsportsgroup.com.
 
About Apex Virtual Learning School - Our accredited private online high school is what you and your student are looking for. We’re unique, but so is your student. At our school, your student can choose when and where they work so that they can flex their schoolwork around busy athletic schedules, auditions, try-outs, college tours, or medical appointments. Plus, we will support your student while they work independently with our experienced staff of teachers, counselors, and tutors.
Our students earn higher scores on standardized tests than the national average and many other online high schools. Our passion is to see your student finish high school and join thousands of other ALVS students who have gone on to prestigious colleges and universities.
We offer over 200 NCAA-approved courses, more than any other online provider, are the exclusive education partner of the NAHL, and an education provider for the NBA Academy.
​

Bethesda, MD- Black Bear Sports Group has finalized a multi-year marketing and hockey equipment procurement agreement with Pure Hockey. The agreement provides for entry level hockey equipment options for both youth and adult first time hockey players throughout its ice arena portfolio.

“Growing hockey participation in all of our facilities is our lifeblood, “said Black Bear Sports Group Founder and CEO, Murry Gunty, “with Pure Hockey’s support, we will be able to provide all first time youth hockey players free hockey equipment as part of our learn to play hockey programs throughout the 2022-2023 season“.

As the leading hockey equipment retailer in the U.S. Pure Hockey is also the official equipment fulfillment partner of the National Hockey League/National Hockey League Players' Association Learn to Play Program for U.S.-based NHL Clubs.

"Through our industry-leading equipment and fulfillment expertise, we look forward to supporting our shared commitment to growing the sport of hockey for youth and adult hockey players," said David Nectow, CEO of Pure Hockey. "Together with Black Bear Sports Group, we can provide the best possible experience and positively impact players as they begin their hockey journey."

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, 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’s footprint totaling 29 facilities across the United States with 54 sheets of indoor ice, 4 indoor turf fields, 24 youth hockey clubs, 6 hockey leagues/tournament businesses (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League, Defender Hockey Tournaments, Foundry Adult Hockey) and 4 Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, United States Premier Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League. For more, go to www.blackbearsportsgroup.com.

About Pure Hockey - Pure Hockey is headquartered outside of Boston, MA. The company was
founded in 1994 and was acquired by David Nectow and Sal Tiano in 2008. Nectow and Tiano
started their hockey business in 2002 with the purchase of one hockey retail store in Massachusetts. Pure Hockey has since expanded organically and through strategic acquisitions, and now operates two ecommerce sites and approximately 60 stores in 20 states across the U.S. under the Pure Hockey and Pure Goalie brands. Pure Hockey is the Official Hockey Equipment Retailer of USA Hockey, and the Retail Partner of the NHL/NHLPA's Learn to Play Program. For more information, visit purehockey.com.

Bethesda, MD- Black Bear Sports Group has finalized a multi-year marketing, facility service, first aid and safety agreement with Cintas Corporation. The agreement will provide for the full array of Cintas cleaning products with branded dispensers as well as first aid and AED equipment supported by training and certifications for Black Bear Sports Group staff members throughout its ice arena portfolio.

“The relationship with Cintas is in complete alignment with our mission for our ice arenas to be clean, safe and professionally managed, “said Black Bear Sports Group Founder and CEO, Murry Gunty, “Cintas is the industry leader with high quality products and services that are certain to set our facilities apart as we strive to provide a best in class experience for our customers “.

“Black Bear Sports Group is setting a new standard for quality in the ice arena industry,” said John Goff, Corporate Major Account Manager “We look forward to supporting their operations team members in their pursuit of excellence at each ice arena for many years to come”

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, 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’s footprint totaling 29 facilities across the United States with 54 sheets of indoor ice, 4 indoor turf fields, 24 youth hockey clubs, 6 hockey leagues/tournament businesses (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League, Defender Hockey Tournaments, Foundry Adult Hockey) and 4 Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, United States Premier Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League. For more, go to www.blackbearsportsgroup.com.

About Cintas - Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get ReadyTM to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. The Company is also the creator of the Total Clean ProgramTM — a first-of-its-kind service that includes scheduled delivery of essential cleaning supplies, hygienically clean laundering, and sanitizing and disinfecting products and services. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index. For more information, go to www.cintas.com.

BETHESDA, MD — Black Bear Sports Group, Inc., (“Black Bear”), the United States Premier Hockey League (“USPHL”) and the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (“THF”) are pleased to announce a collaboration of their youth and midget hockey activities.  Teams at all ages from Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania will play in the THF-USPHL South Division (“THF South”).  The THF South will continue with its hallmark unbalanced schedule in order to eliminate lopsided games and improve national hockey rankings.  Midget (15U, 16U and 18U) teams from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts will play in the USPHL-THF North Division (“USPHL North”), which will be administered by the THF.  USPHL North member club youth teams will remain in their current leagues.  The two divisions will compete at year end for a USPHL Championship.  The Mercer Chiefs will also be purchasing a Tier 2 NCDC junior hockey franchise and will field a team for the 2022-23 season.  Finally, Tony Zasowski, former Director of the North American Prospects Hockey League (“NAPHL”), one of the largest Tier 1 youth hockey leagues in the U.S., has been named Commissioner of the THF.  Tony brings deep experience to this new role having previously run, in addition to the NAPHL, all NAHL Central Scouting initiatives, prospects tournaments and combines. 
 
“Through our collaboration with the USPHL, the THF is now a one-of-a-kind organization in that we are the only group with clubs that operate from “cradle to college,” from Mite thru Midget at the youth level and every level of junior hockey developing players for NCAA Division I, II and III schools,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group.   “We are honored to collaborate with the USPHL and their member clubs and look forward to building upon all of their successes to date.”
 
“The Mercer Chiefs have a long history of success at the youth level so we are thrilled to have them join us in the NCDC,” said Bob Turow, Commissioner of the USPHL.  “We believe this association at the Midget and youth levels will strengthen both of our organizations.”
 
“I am excited to work with all of our member clubs in the THF and USPHL to build one of the top Tier 1 organizations in the country,” said Tony Zasowski, Commissioner of the THF.  “We have an amazing group of operators that will support the growth and placement of all our hockey players to the highest levels.” 
 
About the NCDC
The NCDC is the only tuition-free junior hockey league that is fully located in the Northeastern United States, limiting travel to New York, New Jersey and the New England states. This allows players to spend more time on development, both on-and off-ice, than traveling on a bus.  With the unmatched USPHL Showcase Series, NCDC players have several opportunities each season to play in front of several scouts at well-attended multi-day, multi-tiered events. There are more than 700 former players from the USPHL’s top division skating with NCAA hockey teams during the 2021-22 season.  More than 150 players committed to college hockey out of the 2020-21 NCDC season alone.
The NHL has also taken notice as the League saw three players selected directly out of the NCDC in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Alumni of USPHL/NCDC organizations currently skating in the NHL include players such as Jack Eichel, Charlie Coyle, John Marino, Jimmy Vesey, and Stanley Cup Champions Zach Sanford, Trevor Van Riemsdyk and Brian Dumoulin. 
 
About The United States Premier Hockey League
The United States Premier Hockey League of 2021-2022 is the nation’s largest amateur ice hockey league and the only league to span the continental United States and parts of Canada.  The USPHL fields approximately 550 teams representing over 100 organizations comprised of 11,000 players spanning the ages of 6 through 20. Overall, across all its divisions, the USPHL has more than 1,300 alumni playing college hockey in 2021-22 and more than 250 playing pro hockey, including in the NHL.
 
 
About the Tier 1 Hockey Federation
The Tier 1 Hockey Federation is a scheduling partnership designed to provide elite level competition through an unbalanced schedule among Tier 1 and elite clubs on the East Coast.  The THF is managed by full-time professional staff and initially has over 100 elite or AAA teams from 9U-18U committed for its inaugural 2022-23 season.  The THF brings together clubs from multiple leagues and states and is the only organization whose members operate franchises in the top junior hockey leagues in the US for NCAA Division I commitments: USHL, NAHL, NCDC and the top two junior hockey leagues for NCAA Division III commitments, the USPHL Premier Division and the Eastern Hockey League.  
 
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, 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’s footprint totals 30 facilities across the United States with 55 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 23 youth hockey clubs, four youth hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation and National Girls Hockey League), the nation’s largest adult hockey organization (Foundry Adult Hockey) and four Junior “A” hockey franchises in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, United States Premier Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.
 
Contact Info:  Tony Zasowski, Commissioner, tzasowski@blackbearsportsgroup.com

Bethesda, MD – Black Bear Sports Group is proud to announce the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (“THF”), a new hockey federation designed to facilitate scheduling among rink owners in the Eastern U.S. and the clubs located in their buildings. Initially, the THF will have 12 Founding Members and approximately 80 teams from 9U-18U and will have teams from multiple states, USA Hockey Districts and Tier 1 leagues represented in order to provide the best competition for its members. There is no limit on the number of teams that a club can enter at each level and teams will be scheduled based on a preseason Spring parity event to provide balanced competitive games. The THF is the only example of an organization whose owners have stakes in every junior hockey league in the U.S. including the Tier 1 United States Hockey League, Tier 2 North American Hockey League, USPHL including the Tier 2 NCDC & its Tier 3 divisions and the Tier 3 Eastern Hockey League.

“Our tagline says it all: Competition, Exposure, Advancement, “said Black Bear Sports Group CEO and Founder Murry N. Gunty. “Our vision is to provide professional, full-time management focused on elite, balanced AAA competition at 9 U through 18 U with an emphasis on providing a pathway to college for our players. Every club has varying levels at each birth years – our goal is to use the THF to provide a great AAA experience for every club and every team.”

“Our THF core values will be centered on balanced competition, competitive games and limited travel for families who are concerned about costs,” said THF Commissioner and VP of Hockey for Black Bear Sports Group, Matt Kiernan. “Our unique product with an unbalanced schedule provides the ability to eliminate lopsided hockey games for the elite AAA hockey clubs on the East Coast. We are also committed to providing all participants with unparalleled, leading-edge scoring systems and player marketing platforms.”

Founding Members that have joined the THF thus far include Esmark Stars, Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, Flyers Elite, Mercer Chiefs, NJ 87s, NJ Jets, NJ Hitmen, MassConn United*, Palmyra Black Knights, Revolution Hockey Club, Team Maryland, and Westchester Express

About Tier 1 Hockey Federation - The Tier 1 Hockey Federation is a scheduling partnership designed to provide elite-level competition through an unbalanced schedule among Tier 1 clubs on the East Coast. The THF is managed by full-time professional staff and initially has approximately 80 AAA teams from 9U-18U during its inaugural 2022-23 season. The THF brings together clubs from multiple leagues and states and is the only organization whose owners have stakes in every junior hockey league in the U.S. including the Tier 1 United States Hockey League, Tier 2 North American Hockey League and USPHL NCDC and the Tier 3 USPHL Premier Divisions and the Eastern Hockey League.

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 arenas are clean, professionally managed, and offer world-class recreational programs. Black Bear focuses on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, a National Hockey League club presence, and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. Black Bear not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas, but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or under- performing facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 30 facilities across the United States with 55 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 23 youth hockey clubs, four youth hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, National Girls Hockey League and Tier I Hockey Federation), the nation’s largest adult hockey organization (Foundry Adult Hockey) and three Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the USHL, NAHL, and EHL.

Contact: Matt Kiernan, VP Hockey, Black Bear Sports Group, mkiernan@blackbearsportsgroup.com

 *MassConn United is a scheduling partner and not eligible for playoffs

Bethesda, MD (February 16, 2022) – The Atlantic Hockey Federation (“AHF”) is pleased to announce a new girls division for the 2022-23 season, the Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation (“AGHF”). Founding members of the AGHF include the: Allegheny Badgers, Brewster Lady Bulldogs, Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Maryland Jr. Black Bears, MassConn United, Montgomery Blue Devils, NJ Bandits, North Jersey Kings, PHC Belles, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, Pittsburgh Rebellion, Princeton Tiger Lilies, Rockets Hockey Club, Southern Maryland Sabres, St. James Hockey Academy and York Lady Devils. Each full season team will play 24-28 games depending upon their age and level including 1-2 showcases, with the balance of the schedule as home and away games.
“We are deeply committed to growing girls hockey and providing girls hockey with the same resources we provide boys hockey,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group. “We have an extraordinary team of women leading this effort and an amazing group of initial founding members in the girls division.”
“It is a tribute to the AHF that in only its first year it has already devoted such resources to girls hockey,” said Nikki Miller, AGHF Commissioner. “As a parent of a female hockey player, I am proud that girls finally have a league run by full-time professional female management with a full commitment to providing an elite Tier II experience to our families, including a pathway to districts and nationals.”
“Our girls division will be devoted to providing the best competition and value for our families,” said AGHF Deputy Commissioner, Brooke Ammerman-Reimer. “We expect to provide our girls division with the same exposure that we provide our boys division including real-time updated stats and social media coverage.”
“We finally have a league devoted to girls led by women,” said Rebecca Morse, AGHF Competition Committee Chairperson. “I am thrilled to be involved and look forward to growing girls hockey in the AGHF footprint.”
​About the Atlantic Hockey Federation, Inc.
​The Atlantic Hockey Federation (“AHF”) is a USA Hockey-sanctioned elite youth hockey league that facilitates games throughout the Mid-Atlantic and seeks to provide elite competition with maximum value for its member-owned clubs and their families. The AHF was founded by leading hockey organizations in the Mid-Atlantic, including the Montgomery Blue Devils, New Jersey Bandits, Rockets Hockey Club, Hollydell Hurricanes, Team Philadelphia, and the 15 Black Bear Sports Group-owned clubs. Each of the Founders operate at all levels of youth and junior hockey, from Mite through to Midget at the youth level and from Tier III (EHL and USPHL), Tier II (NAHL and NCDC), to Tier I (USHL) at the junior level. The AHF offers Tier II boys and girls hockey as well as AAA Full Ice Mites. If you are looking for the best value, the AHF is for you. If you are looking for exposure to play college hockey, the AHF is also for you.

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 arenas are clean, professionally managed, and offer world-class recreational programs. Black Bear focuses on ice arenas in metropolitan areas with compelling demographics, a National Hockey League club presence, and arenas with existing youth hockey clubs. Black Bear not only features the ability to acquire healthy and stable arenas, but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or under- performing facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 30 facilities across the United States with 55 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 23 youth hockey clubs, three youth hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation and National Girls Hockey League), the nation’s largest adult hockey organization (Foundry Adult Hockey) and three Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the USHL, NAHL, and EHL.

Contact: Nikki Miller, Commissioner, nmiller@blackbearsportsgroup.com

Team member John Flynn shared with us who the team is and just how he came across the opportunity that will take them to Wisconsin, "The Bandits ... a band of Brothers (and Sisters) brought together by our love of ice hockey. The Game gets us together for an hour+, once a week for camaraderie, fellowship, libations ... and a little exercise. We come from all age groups and all walks of life. I just happened upon a promotion for the 2022 USA Hockey/Labatt Blue Pond Hockey National Championships in Eagle River, WI. The pictures of the rinks shoveled on the lake takes you right back to where it all began. Many of us had our first hockey experience on the lakes, ponds, and creeks of our youth. It was the lore of Pond Hockey!  So, why not? I entered Bandits, almost on a whim, in the contest offered by AAHA/USA Hockey to win a trip to this unique event. We won! Win includes airfare, lodging, and entrance fee. This really completes the circle for many us old puckers. A true bucket list item!"

Captain of the Bandits, Alan Piper, excitedly remarked, "Most of us didn't even know that teammate John Flynn entered us in the contest!" Nonetheless, 7 eager skaters of the Bandits team will be heading to compete in the Championships in just a couple weeks!

The attached photo was taken after a recent Bandits game at Twin Ponds Ice Arena.
The Pond Hockey tournament is 4 vs 4 skaters, with no goalie.

6 of the 7 skaters going to the Pond Hockey tournament are in the photo:
Chris Fencel
John Flynn
Steve Madden
Adrian Piper
Alan Piper
Dave Ullmann
Tom Robbins is not in the photo.

Glen Ellyn, IL- Black Bear Sports Group is proud to announce that the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (“AHAI”) has approved a new Tier II youth hockey club charter that will call Center Ice of DuPage home. The DuPage Black Bears teams will start play for the 2022/23 hockey season. Scott Maeder has been named Hockey Director of the Black Bears and Center Ice of DuPage while Gregg Naumenko will serve as the Black Bears Club President.

“Our mission is to grow hockey participation in the local communities our ice arenas serve,” said Black Bear Sports Group Founder and CEO, Murry Gunty“, we are extremely proud to usher in a new era of quality youth hockey to Chicagoland...........the DuPage Black Bears.”

Information will be out shortly on spring and summer opportunities to take the ice with Coach Maeder on the Center Ice of DuPage website.

Contact: Scott Maeder, Hockey Director ScottMaeder@centericeofdupage.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, 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 not only features the ability to acquire
healthy and stable arenas, but also the expertise required to turn around mismanaged or under-
performing facilities. The largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint
totals 30 facilities  across the United States with 55 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 18
youth hockey clubs, two youth hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation and National Girls
Hockey League), the nation's largest adult hockey organization (Foundry Adult Hockey)
and three Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League.

About DuPage Black Bears
The club will be led by Hockey Director Scott Maeder and President Gregg Naumenko and based out of Center Ice of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL
.
Coach Maeder has thirty years of Illinois youth hockey coaching experience at the Tier I and Tier II levels, specializing in skill development at all levels, Mite through Midget. Many of the players that Scott has developed have maintained a passion for the game throughout the years and have moved on to play in Juniors, College and Pro. Scott’s philosophy is to build each player’s foundation through fundamental skill development in a positive environment. He creates smart players with a deep hockey sense and a love for the sport.

Gregg Naumenko is a Chicago native and played youth hockey in the area until the age of 14. Gregg then embarked on a four year Junior career before playing Div. 1 for The University of Alaska Anchorage. One of seven Illinois born goalies to ever play in the NHL (Mighty Ducks), Gregg enjoyed a career that had several stops where he was able to play for some of the top hockey minds in the world. After retiring from pro hockey, Gregg came back to his roots in Chicago to start his coaching career where he could start giving back to the game. He has spent several years on the AHAI and Central District player development committees as well as coaching at USA Hockey’s National Select Festivals. Gregg has coached nearly 2000 games with recent stops in the USHL as Associate Coach and Assistant G.M. of the Omaha Lancers.
The DuPage Black Bears website will be launched in the coming weeks with more club information and new staff position postings.