39°03′41″N 76°43′35″W / 39.06139°N 76.72639°W / 39.06139; -76.72639

Maryland Black Bears
CityOdenton, Maryland[1]
LeagueNorth American Hockey League
DivisionEast[1]
Founded2018[1]
Home arenaPiney Orchard Ice Arena[1]
ColorsRed, white, black, gold
       [2]
Owner(s)Piney Junior Hockey, LLC[1]
General managerClint Mylymok[3]
Head coachClint Mylymok[3]
AffiliatesYoungstown Phantoms (USHL)
Team Maryland (EHL)
Websitewww.marylandblackbears.com
Franchise history
2018–presentMaryland Black Bears
Championships
Division titles1 (2022-23)

The Maryland Black Bears are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's East Division. The Black Bears play their home games in the Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, Maryland. Founded in 2018, the Black Bears are the first team in the 42-year history of the NAHL to be based out of Maryland.[1][4]

Playing on the NHL-sized sheet of ice at the Piney Orchard Ice Arena, a former training center of the NHL's Washington Capitals, the Black Bears' organization has exclusive use of over 7,000 square feet of space for locker rooms, training and equipment, offices, and workout areas.[1] The organization also launched a team in the Tier III Eastern Hockey League, called Team Maryland,[5] and several youth teams in the 2018–19 season, while also purchasing an ownership stake in the Tier I United States Hockey League's Youngstown Phantoms.[6]

The Black Bears played their inaugural game on September 14, 2018, at Piney Orchard, losing 6–3 to the New Jersey Titans.[7][8]

Season-by-season records

Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2018–19 60 16 37 7 39 141 244 6th of 6, East
23rd of 24, NAHL		 did not qualify for post season play
2019–20 54 20 25 7 47 157 166 4th of 7, East
18th of 26, NAHL		 Balance of season cancelled due to covid
2020–21 56 25 21 8 58 146 159 4th of 6, East
11th of 23, NAHL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. Johnstown Tomahawks
Lost Div. Finals, 0-3 vs. Maine Nordiques
2021–22 60 29 19 12 70 189 176 5th of 7, East
14th of 29, NAHL		 did not qualify for post season play
2022–23 60 40 15 5 85 215 140 1st of 7, East
2nd of 29, NAHL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 3-0 vs. Northeast Generals

Won Div. Finals 3-1 vs. Maine Nordiques Lost Robertson Cup Semifinal 1-2 vs. Austin Bruins

2023-24 29 18 6 5 41 92 65 2nd of 9, Eastern Division, 3rd of 32 NAHL tbd

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "NAHL team in Maryland approved for the 2018-19 season" (Press release). North American Hockey League. April 12, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  2. ^ "NAHL team in Maryland to be called the Black Bears" (Press release). North American Hockey League. May 9, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Maryland Black Bears name Mylymok as first Head Coach/GM" (Press release). North American Hockey League. May 23, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  4. ^ Graham, Glenn (July 26, 2018). "Maryland Black Bears gearing up for inaugural junior hockey season". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "Team Maryland Expands Into Junior Hockey". Team Maryland. April 13, 2018.
  6. ^ "Black Bear Sports Group Acquires Stake in Youngstown Phantoms". YoungstownPhantoms.com. June 8, 2018.
  7. ^ "Black Bears Topped By Titans in Inaugural Game" (Press release). Maryland Black Bears. September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  8. ^ "Maryland Black Bears play inaugural game at Piney Orchard". The Baltimore Sun. September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.

External links


North American Hockey League
Sports teams based in Maryland
Categories