Ann Arbor, MI – An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has taken over the operations of the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, in Ann Arbor, MI (the “Arena”) effective November 2022.  The Arena features three ice sheets, a gym, a medical practice within the University of Michigan medical network, and a pro shop. The Arena is home to the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club, the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association and one of the largest adult hockey leagues in the state.  Black Bear, the largest owner-operator of ice rinks in the U.S., was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015. 

​“Michigan is a market we have been exploring and believe is ripe for consolidation both at the rink and club level,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “This state continues to produce some of the top talent in both hockey and figure skating and we are thrilled to bring our leagues and tournament business to Ann Arbor.” 

The Ann Arbor Ice Cube was built in 1995. It was previously the headquarters of USA Hockey.
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“Part of Black Bear’s mission at the Arena will be to preserve and extend the viability of this arena for the long-term,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President at Black Bear. “We have acquired many rinks that are 25-30 years-old that are still so important to the community but also have aging equipment that requires specialty knowledge. We have a strong operating team and look forward to managing the Cube long-term.” 

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 33 facilities across the United States with 62 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 25 youth hockey clubs, four youth hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation Tier 1 Hockey Federation, and National Girls Hockey League), one tournament business, and four Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL-NCDC and the Eastern Hockey League.

Blackstreet Capital Holdings affiliate Black Bear to acquire Klick Lewis Arena

Annville, PA – An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Klick Lewis Arena in Annville, PA (the “Arena”). The Agreement is subject to normal course closing conditions. The Arena features three ice sheets, a bar/restaurant, pro shop and a dedicated gym for its players.  The transaction also includes a partnership with the Palmyra Black Knights (“PBK”), the elite Tier I and Tier II youth hockey program.  The Arena is also home to many figure skaters and recreational skaters in the area along with numerous tournaments due to its proximity to Hershey, PA.  The Sellers were Harold and Chad Weaver, Founders of H.R. Weaver Building Systems and the creators/developers of the Arena.  Antoine Bergeron, hockey director and the architect of the growth of the Palmyra Black Knights, will continue to lead the club and will assume a senior role with Black Bear.  Black Bear, the largest owner-operator of ice rinks in the U.S., was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.
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“It has been a great honor to build and own Klick Lewis as it is an important part of our community,” said Chad Weaver, Owner of H.R. Weaver Building Systems and owner of Klick Lewis Arena.  “When we first conceived of the idea for the rink, we never could have imagined it would become such a popular and successful venue.  While it is a bittersweet sale, we believe that our rink and all the local families will be in good hands with Black Bear.” 
​“Klick Lewis fits in perfectly with our other Hershey regional rinks and the Palmyra Black Knights fit in perfectly with our leagues, so this was a location that we have long coveted,” said Murry N. Gunty, Founder and CEO of Black Bear. “More importantly, the hidden gem in the transaction is Antoine Bergeron – he is among the best in the industry and we look forward to bringing the full strength of our organization to help him and his team grow PBK into a regional powerhouse.”
“I am excited to stay on board and continue to develop players in the PBK program and support Black Bear’s overall hockey business,” said Antoine Bergeron. “I believe that with Black Bears ascension program including its USHL and NAHL teams along with its elite level leagues that PBK will continue to field elite level teams and grow its already strong presence in Central PA.”

“Our mission is to continue growing hockey and ice sports in the Mid-Atlantic and are thrilled to add another Tier I franchise that we can support through our numerous junior team franchises such as the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL,”  said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. “Under Antoine’s leadership, we also look forward to growing our league and tournament businesses in Hershey, Central PA and the rest of the Mid-Atlantic and expect to host numerous boys and girls events in Klick Lewis.”

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 32 facilities across the United States with 57 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 25 youth hockey clubs, four youth hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation Tier 1 Hockey Federation, and National Girls Hockey League) and four Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, USPHL NCDC and the Eastern Hockey League.