Blackstreet Capital Holdings affiliate Black Bear acquires Newington Ice Arena
Newington, CT – An affiliate of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. (“Black Bear”) has acquired the Newington Ice Arena in Newington, CT (the “Arena”). The Arena features two ice sheets, a pro shop and snack bar, a golf simulator and multiple leased locker rooms and offices. The Arena is also home to many figure skaters and recreational skaters in the area along with numerous high schools and regional tournaments due to its close proximity to Hartford, CT. Black Bear, the largest owner-operator of ice rinks in the U.S., was founded by CEO Murry Gunty in 2015.
Black Bear will begin a strong relationship with the Connecticut Chiefs and the Central Connecticut Youth Hockey Association, the dominant youth hockey programs in the Arena. The Connecticut Chiefs, an independently owned Junior and Tier I Youth Hockey program and long-term tenant at the Newington Ice Arena will remain in the arena as an anchor tenant. The Chiefs will be joining the Tier 1 Hockey Federation (“THF”) for the 2023-24 season and leaving the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (“AYHL”). “We’re excited for the next chapter with Black Bear,” said Brandon Johnson, owner of the Chiefs. “We know that Black Bear plans to improve the facility, which translates to better experiences for our Connecticut Chiefs players and everyone who uses the building. We’re excited to see what Black Bear Sports Group achieves moving forward at Newington Arena.”
The Chiefs membership in the THF further consolidates our league’s leading position in the Mid-Atlantic. said Murry N. Gunty, CEO and Founder of Black Bear Sports Group. “I have personally known Brandon for a long time. He has great integrity and operates his Chiefs at the highest level. We are lucky to have his club as they will make a fantastic addition to the core group of elite youth clubs in the THF.”
Black Bear is also pleased to announce that Central Connecticut Youth Hockey Association will remain as a long-term tenant. “Central is one of the largest and strongest clubs in the state,” said Ryan Scott, Vice President of Black Bear. “The club has elite leadership and a rich tradition in the area and we are excited to be their rink partner moving forward.” Central has accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Hockey Federation (“AHF”) as a showcase league partner for 2023-24 season at the AA level and will leave the EJEPL.
Black Bear owns and operates five ice rinks in Connecticut with eight sheets of ice of which four arenas are located in the Greater Hartford area comprising 7 sheets of 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, 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 35 facilities across the United States with 64 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 27 youth hockey clubs, four youth hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey FederationTier 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.
Our program will run from February 24th to April 21st each Friday at 5pm priced at $155. Exact dates are: 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/14, 4/21. No classes on 4/7.
Class instruction will be conducted by the Club's Skating Director, Serhii Vaypan, Asst. Skating Director, Sarah Carney, along with our regional and sectional competitive skaters. Additional details are as follows:
40 minutes of on-ice instruction
10 minutes of free time to practice your skills
Skate rentals - our skate supply is limited, first come first serve for rentals (included in cost of program)
Registration fee includes annual membership to LTS USA
No walk-ons or make-up classes
Ages 3 and up may register
No adult levels at this time
What better way to spend time while our kids are practicing and playing than to play some virtual golf. Overlooking the Red Rink at Newington Arena, Arena Golf will be open for business on Monday November 2 at 9am. Please visit www.arenagolfct.com for more information and to book time in our state of art golf simulator.
We welcome Dr. Kevin Lennehan and Dr. Bobby Abate and Elite Chiropractic to Newington Arena. Elite Chiropractic is located on on our second floor. Please visit Dr. Bobby Abate or Dr. Lennehan for all your chiropractic and wellness needs. To book an appointment simply stop in upstairs, call or text 860-578-2423 or book online at www.elitechiropracticct.com.
Newington Arena, Home of Finer Edge Figure Skating Club
by posted 01/10/2019
Newington Arena is the proud home of the Finer Edge Figure Skating Club. FEFSC is an exemplary figure skating club with international accolades. For more information about Finer Edge Figure Skating Club, please visit http://fineredgefsc.com/
Internationally acclaimed ice dancers train at Newington Arena
by posted 12/12/2018
Emily Monaghan and Ilias Fourati are Senior Ice Dancers representing Hungary internationally. They have competed at numerous international competitions, and are the 1st Christmas Cup silver medalists. They train at the Newington Arena with their coaches, 2006 US Winter Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov.
Newington Arena is the proud home to the Hartford Braillers. The Braillers are a visually impaired hockey team playing one of the fastest growing para-sports across North America. As Connecticut was once home of the Hartford Whalers, it is now home of the Hartford Braillers – a blind hockey team. Team practices are held at Newington Arena. Players of any level of experience are always welcome. Check out the recent features done by Fox 61 and WFSB 3:
Congratulations Nick Bonino & Ron Hainsey Stanley Cup Champions
by posted 06/13/2017
Newington Arena athletes and Connecticut natives Nick Bonino & Ron Hainsey will be having their names etched on the Stanley Cup! Nick, Ron and their fellow Pittsburgh Penguins teammates are the 2017 Stanley Cup Champions!
Newington Arena is the proud training home to both Ron and Nick in the off-season.
Both athletes have done their off-ice training at Pete Asadourian’s Future Fitness Sport Specific Training facility for years as well as regulars in the College-Pro Hockey camp that runs every August at Newington Arena.
Congratulations to Nick and Ron on a great season and an amazing playoff run.
Join us on Friday's from 12pm-1:20pm for our Friday Pick-Up Hockey Special. Only $10.00. Full equipment is required and you must be 16 or older to participate in this pick-up game. Goalies play for free.......if you bring a goalie, you also skate for free.
Now your family and friends that can not attend the game will be able to watch live or replay later. The Live Barn streaming video is the result of the recent installation of a state of the art technology video system. The multi camera system follows the flow of a game like a television broadcast and can be played anywhere on your computers or mobile devices.
To get a free trial and a 10% discount use promo code 7e75-b595 when you go to livebarn.com Its easy and the memories of the games can now be shared by all.
