Club to relocate to Ann Arbor and operate boys and girls AAA Tier 1, Tier 2 Travel & Tier 3 House Hockey
Ann Arbor, MI – The Ann Arbor Ice Cube (AAIC) has been named the new home of the Biggby Coffee Hockey Club beginning Spring 2023. The new club will offer youth hockey teams for all youth players at every skill level, Instructional, House (T3), Travel (T2), and AAA (T1). Before this merger, Biggby rostered both boys’ and girls’ teams at the AAA- T1 level. With this new partnership, all levels of youth hockey in Ann Arbor will be rostered under the Biggby Hockey Club name. As part of a new partnership between AAIC’s new operator, Black Bear Sports Group (BBSG), and the Biggby club, the arena has hired full-time staff to bolster its year-round hockey programs and offerings. Beginning with the 2023-24 season, players rostered under Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association (AAAHA) Travel and House teams will roster under Biggby Coffee Hockey Club. AAIC remains the home ice arena of Ann Arbor residents and current AAAHA players. Current players will be directed to AAA and Travel tryouts or House registrations. Peggy Costello, current Executive Director of AAAHA will transition to a new role as Director of Hockey Operations for AAIC and the Biggby Coffee Youth Club, and together with Tom Berry, Executive Director of Biggby AAA Hockey, will lead all hockey operations for the club and the rink.
The expanded Biggby Coffee Hockey Club is projected to have 600+ members comprising of Learn to Play Programs, Introductory Leagues, and all three levels (AAA, Travel, and House) of boys and girls hockey providing the community with hockey opportunities for all ages and skill levels. New jerseys will be provided for all members. Other key highlights of the partnership include:
- Exposure for Tier 2 Travel & House players to Tier 1 coaches and trainers
- Full-time, professional staff managing year-round hockey programs.
- Consolidation improves the player pool and consistency of level of play.
- Tier 1 advancement opportunities in the same arena for boys and girls
- Increased off-season programming and skill development opportunities at the rink.
- Black Bear Sports Group’s Free Gear “Rookie Program” for first-time players.
- For players with college hockey ambition, access, and exposure to Black Bear’s affiliated Junior Hockey clubs: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), Maryland Black Bears (NAHL), Mercer Chiefs (NCDC), and Team Maryland (EHL)
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 arenas in the U.S., Black Bear’s footprint totals 34 facilities across the United States with 64 sheets of indoor ice, four indoor turf fields, 31 youth hockey clubs, four hockey leagues (Atlantic Hockey Federation, Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation, Tier 1 Hockey Federation, and Foundry Adult Hockey, two tournament businesses, Defender Hockey Tournaments, and the National Girls Hockey League and four Junior “A” hockey franchises with membership in the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, United States Premier Hockey League NCDC and the Eastern Hockey League.
About Tom Berry, Executive Director of Biggby AAA Hockey – Tom Berry has been involved in Hockey since 2001 coaching from the mite house level to coaching and scouting in Junior Hockey. He has served as the Director of WMEHC now Biggby Coffee AAA Hockey since 2007. He has been a Director at MAHA for the past five years.
About Peggy Costello, Incoming Director of Hockey Operations – Peggy brings 15 years of experience in youth hockey operations, most recently serving as the Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association for the past 7 years. Peggy also currently serves as a District Director for the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association.
About Biggby Coffee Hockey Club – Biggby Coffee AAA Hockey which is the sole sponsor of WMEHC, a Tier 1 affiliate in Michigan, was started 15 years ago and has made its purpose to develop and advance Michigan players to the Highest level. Biggby AAA has placed over 100 boys in Girls in Junior and college hockey respectively making it one of the most successful youth hockey programs in Michigan. Our mission is to provide Elite youth boys and girls hockey players in West Michigan and the out-state communities the opportunity to maximize his/her potential. The West Michigan Elite Hockey Club will provide a competitive learning atmosphere where players, coaches, families, and organizations are committed to long-term development.
About Ann Arbor Ice Cube – Ann Arbor Ice Cube, owned by Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. is a multi-sheet facility located in Ann Arbor, Michigan also known as A2Ice3. The arena measures around 160,000 square feet and includes two NHL-sized ice rinks and one OLY-sized ice rink. The facility has multiple tenants as well as a concessions stand. The arena provides a home for various ice skating and hockey programs, regular public skating sessions, the Ann Arbor Adult Hockey League, and is the home arena for the Biggby Coffee Hockey Club, Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club, Perani’s Hockey World, Michigan Medicine MedSport, Advantage Strength & Conditioning, Huron HS Hockey Team, Pioneer HS Hockey Team, Saline HS Hockey Team, Father Gabriel Richard/Greenhills HS Hockey Team, EMU Club Hockey Team, and Wolverine Sports Club Speed Skating. For more, go to www.a2ice3.com.
Congratulations to the NGHL members who made it to USA Hockey’s Nationals Championships, March 30 – April 3, 2023.
- Florida Alliance, 16UAAA
- Florida Alliance, 19UAAA
- Princeton Tiger Lilies, 14UAA
- New Jersey Bandits, 16UAA
- St. James Hockey, 16UAA
- Utah Lady Grizzlies, 16UAA
- Philadelphia Little Flyers, 19UAA
- Syracuse Valley Eagles, 19UAA
- Arizona Kachinas, 19UAA
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE USA CHAMPIONS AND FINALISTS
The Blue Division Championships were held in St. Louis, MP over the weekend of February 18-20, 2023. Games were held at the beautiful Centene Community Ice Center, our 3rd year at this stunning facility. Our Members-only event hosted 18 teams in the 14U, 16U, and 19U divisions. We saw some exciting hockey over the weekend with teams from Arizona, Idaho, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Ohio, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. It is always gratifying to see such passionate and talented players! We appreciate that hockey travel can be a lot and appreciate our team’s commitment to the NGHL.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE 2022-23 CHAMPIONS!
TOP PERFORMER
The NGHL acknowledges Top Performers at each age division for NGHL Members at our events.
PATHWAY TO COLLEGE
A big THANK YOU to Lindenwood ACHA Coach Andrew Miller, who joined us to talk about the pathway to college hockey.
There were documenting the event on social and have lots of great pictures in our Instagram Highlights – Blue Cup 2023. Take a look.
Lastly, we’d like to thank our event sponsors Biosteel. BioSteel was very generous in providing sugar-free sports hydration mix, water bottles, and towels for the athletes. They’ve also offered our community 30% off all products at biosteel.com. Use code: NGHL30 when ordering online BioSteel.com.
Event apparel is available for purchase online…
The Futures Division Championships were held in the New England Sports Center, February 10-12, 2023. This was our first season having a structured Futures Division. Growing the game is a vital part of the NGHL; if we don’t plant the seeds for growth the future of girls’ hockey won’t thrive. We will continue to support the youngest players with structured events so they can gain experience develop their skills and face new competition.
We saw some exciting hockey over the weekend with teams from Washington state, Nevada, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. It is always gratifying to see such passionate and talented players!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022-23 FUTURES DIVISION CHAMPIONS!
TOP PERFORMERS
The NGHL acknowledges Top Performers at each age division for NGHL Members at our events.
There were documenting the event on social and have lots of great pictures and video in our Instagram Highlights – Futures Cup 2023.
Lastly, we’d like to thank our event sponsor Biosteel. BioSteel provided sugar-free sports hydration mix to the athletes and product to acknowledge those players who contributed to their team’s success over the weekend. They’ve also offered our community 30% off all products at biosteel.com. Use code: NGHL30 when ordering online BioSteel.com.
Event apparel is available for purchase online…
The Red Division Championships were held in Wayne, NJ over the weekend of February 3-5, 2023. Games were held at Montclair University, Skylands rink, and the Ice Vault, home of NGHL members the NJ Bandits. Our Members-only event hosted 22 teams in the 14U, 16U, and 19U divisions. We saw some amazing hockey with some nail-biting finishes during one of the coldest weekends of the winter.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022-23 RED DIVISION CHAMPIONS!
TOP PERFORMERS
The NGHL acknowledges Top Performers at each age division for NGHL Members at our events.
We were documenting the event on social and have lots of great pictures in our Instagram Highlights – Red Cup 2023. We appreciate that hockey travel can be a lot and appreciate your commitment to the event, especially those teams that came from afar.
SPONSORS
Lastly, we’d like to thank our event sponsors Purity & Grace and Biosteel.
Each team had a weekend supply of Pure Chocolate Energy These individually wrapped chews supply sustainable and smooth energy on demand anytime and since they are dairy and soy free they do not melt, so you can literally have the energy you need anywhere.
BioSteel provided sugar-free sports hydration mix to the athletes. They’ve also offered our community 30% off all products at biosteel.com. Use code: NGHL30 when ordering online BioSteel.com.
EVENT APPAREL
Event apparel is available for purchase online…
Massachusetts played host to the 2023 NGHL MLK Winter Classic where we welcomed over 60 teams divided across 7 divisions playing in over 150 games.
Our Red Division teams played a showcase format full of great match-ups. The Blue Division played a tournament structure with each team looking to take home some hardware. Championship day was full of great match-ups with 11 of the 21 games coming down to one goal
Congratulations to these division winners…
- 14U Gold – Coeur D’Alene Lady Thunder
- 14U Silver – St. Clair Shores Saints
- 16U Blue – Coeur D’Alene Lady Thunder
- 19U Blue – Philadelphia Little Flyers
- 19U Red – Lovell Academy Lions
In the Princeton, NJ area, the NGHL Winter Classic, Future East (10U & 12U) hosted 17 teams across three divisions. In over 65 games, these teams had no issue finding the back of the net averaging 4.6 goals per game! Championship matches were tight – two of the three championship match-ups went into overtime play and then a shoot-out. Below are the championship results and the Top Performer for each division.
10U Division
- Carolina Jr Hurricanes 4
- CT Jr Rangers 3
- Top Performer – Maya Hurt, Carolina Jr Hurricanes
12U Blue
- Florida Alliance 3
- The St James Hockey 2
- Top Performer – Aviana Cortright, Florida Alliance
12U Red
- Boston Advantage 2
- Philadelphia Little Flyers 0
- Top Performer – Ivanka Zharova, Ironbound Elite
We’ve launched an NGHL apparel shop!
Hoodies, tees, hats, backpacks, and car magnets…lots of great items to show your love of the NGHL.
http://shopnghl.com/nghl_apparel_shop/shop/home
The NGHL has been hosting events in Denver for four years now and it’s always such a positive experience; our Mile High Invitational this year was no exception.
Referees – A shout-out to our Ref Assignor who makes every effort to ensure we have female Officials represented on the ice.
Scorekeepers: We were supported by Team Colorado 16U & 19U players who took on the clocks & Gamesheet for the event. Always great to keep those opportunities in the community.
Congratulations to these division winners…
Thanks to all the teams who joined us in Denver…!
- Seattle Lady Admirals
- Team Colorado
- Team Wyoming
- Team Wyoming, Brown
- Washington Wild
- Arizona Kachinas
- Calgary Fire 18U AA Red
- Dallas Stars Elite
- New Mexico Mustangs
- Omaha Lady Lancers 16U
- Omaha Lady Lancers 19U
- Team Colorado 16U
- Team Colorado 19U
- Utah Lady Grizzlies 16U
You can check out more pics from the event on our Instagram Stories Highlights.
We are thrilled to have been able to hold this event, the first in our new Futures Division – https://nghlhockey.com/futures – in Omaha, and need to acknowledge the tremendous support from Bryan Knaus, the girls’ hockey director at NGHL Member Omaha Lady Lancers. Bryan and his team lead the task of securing ice and referees for us. We also have a huge shout-out to the Lady Lancers 19U team who were volunteer scorekeepers at this weekend’s games.
Congratulations to these division winners…
This weekend we celebrated Girls Hockey Weekend, an IIHF promotion that raises awareness of girls’ hockey and encourages girls and women of any age to come together to learn the basics of ice hockey. For all our events, we photograph and share the teams and their skaters on social media and our website, hoping to generate excitement for the game and raise the profile of girls’ hockey. Our photographer has spent the weekend capturing the exciting gameplay that these 10Us & 12Us showed – they are inspirational! https://ellenphamp.pic-time.com/-ngihwomahaoct8/gallery
Event tees and hoodies can be purchased online – https://nwd.ink/s/nghl