Learn to Play Programs Reach Nearly 6,800 Participants This Season

Free ‘Take a Shot at Hockey’ Program Has Brought More Than 3,200 New Players to the Sport in Inaugural Season

SUNRISE, Fla., May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Black Bear Sports Group, one of the nation’s premier operators of ice arenas and youth hockey leagues, today announced significant momentum across its growth of the game programming, with 10,000 kids participating in free and entry-level hockey programs at Black Bear arenas so far this season.

More than 3,200 first-time players have been introduced to the sport through BBSG’s free Take a Shot at Hockey (TASH) program in its inaugural year. BBSG’s entry-level player development programs are also thriving, with more than 5,600 players currently building their skills in Black Bear’s Learn to Play Hockey programs and managed clubs, and an additional 1,100 players progressing through NHL/NHLPA Learn to Play programming hosted and supported at Black Bear arenas.

Launched across approximately 65% of Black Bear arenas in its inaugural season, Take a Shot at Hockey removes cost as the biggest barrier keeping families from the sport. The program provides ice time, certified instruction, and head-to-toe loaner equipment at no cost, giving first-time players ages 4 to 9 a welcoming way to experience hockey. Black Bear plans to expand the TASH program across its full arena portfolio for the 2026-27 season, with the goal of introducing more than 7,500 new players to the sport.

“Growing the game starts with making the first step feel accessible for families,” said Kevin Kuby, CEO of Black Bear Sports Group. “Take a Shot at Hockey was built to give new players a welcoming and affordable way onto the ice, and the early results show how much opportunity exists when families can see a clear path into the sport. As we expand this program across our arenas, we are adding new players while strengthening the rink communities that keep hockey vibrant for the next generation.”

After completing TASH, interested players can explore low-cost Learn to Play Hockey program options as their next step. That pathway has helped support a broader youth hockey ecosystem that now includes more than 475 boys and girls’ youth teams from 8U through 18U across Black Bear-affiliated programs, with participation growth at more than three times the national average according to company data.

“Our focus is on growing the sport, and we’re proud of the programs and player development pathways that make that possible,” added Kuby.

About Black Bear Sports Group
Founded in 2015 by lifelong hockey supporters, Black Bear Sports Group is a premier owner and operator of ice arenas and youth hockey leagues across the United States. Dedicated to strengthening hockey communities and expanding access to the sport, the company manages dozens of rinks, teams, and leagues, including the Atlantic Hockey Federation, the Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, and the Tier 1 Hockey Federation. Black Bear also offers elite training programs, tournaments, and Black Bear TV, a dedicated streaming platform that increases visibility for athletes. By preserving community rinks and creating development opportunities, Black Bear ensures that hockey and other ice sports remain accessible, competitive, and positioned for long-term success. For more information, visit www.blackbearsportsgroup.com.

Press Contact:
Black Bear Sports Group
blackbearsports@redbanyan.com

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SOURCE Black Bear Sports Group