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The path to college hockey starts in youth AAA and primarily runs through the four American junior hockey leagues with the most commitments: the USHL, NAHL, NCDC, and EHL. Black Bear Sports Group owns and operates franchises in each league: USHL – Youngstown Phantoms; NAHL – Maryland Black Bears; NCDC – Mercer Chiefs, PAL Jr Islanders, EHL – Team Maryland, USPHL Premier – PAL Jr Islanders, and USPHL Elite – PAL Jr Islanders. Black Bears Sports Group is committed to advancing its youth AAA players through its system to gain college exposure.