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.

Bethesda, MD - Today, Black Bear Sports Group’s most recent vertically integrated program expansion, Foundry Adult Hockey, the largest and most comprehensive adult hockey organization in the U.S.A. launched five adult hockey tournament events branded the Keg Cup Series. 

The Foundry Adult Hockey Tournaments Keg Cup Series locations include: 
Pittsburgh, Palmer Imaging Arena, April 29 through May 1 
Newark, Delaware, Patriot Ice Center, May 13 through May 15
Philadelphia, Grundy Arena, July 15 through July 17
Wall Township, Jersey, Jersey Shore Ice Arena, July 22 through July 24 
Pittsburgh, Printscape Arena at Southpointe, July 22 through July 24

“This is another extraordinary offering from our emerging Foundry Adult Hockey business,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. “The Keg Cup Series will be sure to provide an outstanding adult hockey tournament experience in conveniently located markets, at great ice arenas.”

“We are excited to be able to offer innovative adult hockey tournament events with The Keg Cup Series in these key markets this spring and summer,” said Matthew Kiernan, VP of Hockey for Black Bear Sports Group. “This is yet another value-added offering for the adult hockey enthusiast for all players, advanced to beginner, from Foundry Adult Hockey.”

About Foundry Adult Hockey - Foundry Adult Hockey is the largest and most comprehensive adult hockey organization in the U.S.A. With Foundry Adult Hockey, you can Play Your Game. As a hockey enthusiast, you can learn the game and or play the game whenever you want, wherever you want, and at any level you want. For more information, www.foundryadulthockey.com/getinthegame

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.

Hartford, CT – An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Enfield Twin Rinks in Enfield, CT (the “Arena”). The deal is expected to close in the next 30 days. The Arena features two NHL ice sheets and is the home rink for more than five local high schools. Enfield Twin Rinks is the proud home of the MassConn United Youth Hockey Club and the Enfield Eagles Youth Hockey Association. The Sellers were Keith and Brian Hillebrecht. Black Bear named Sean Provost as the incoming General Manager and Hockey Director. Black Bear, the largest owner/operator of ice rinks in the U.S., was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.

“The rink is a cornerstone of this community and my father and I are pleased to pass the torch to Black Bear Sports Group to ensure that the Enfield Twin Rinks has many bright years ahead,” said Keith Hillebrecht, co-owner and seller. “I am thrilled that Black Bear has selected Sean to lead the rink and the MassConn United. Sean is both a friend and an excellent hockey coach.”

“We are excited to continue our Connecticut expansion with this transaction,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “The Enfield Twin Rinks has a rich history of skating and youth hockey and we’re thrilled to continue the operations of the MassConn United and the partnerships with the local high schools and youth clubs. The Eastern Hockey Federation and the New England Girl’s Hockey League are the top youth leagues and the country and we our proud to have our United teams compete in these elite leagues.”

Sean Provost will immediately begin meeting with players and customers to avoid any disruption in operations. Coach Provost is a Springfield, MA, native with deep experience coaching youth hockey in New England.
​
“Our mission at the United will be to develop and advance youth hockey players,” said Sean Provost, incoming Hockey Director at the Arena. “We expect to grow both the girls and boys program at the rink and provide even more value for our customers with Black Bear’s resources. The future of the rink and the United remains bright!”

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.