Fluvannia Hockey League

Fluvannia Hockey League

Current season, competition or edition: 2022–23 FHL season
Sport	Ice hockey
Founded	March 20, 1948 (1948-03-20)
Inaugural season	1948-49
President	Barry Goetz
No. of teams	12
Countries	Fluvannia Dunferm
Headquarters	Appleton
Continent	Abos
Most recent champion(s)	Harrisonburg Highlanders
Most titles	Appleton Bears, Harrisonburg Highlanders, Rochester Royals (1 each)
TV partner(s)	Arena Sportsnet
Official website	http://www.fhl.fl.co

The Fluvannia Hockey League (FHL; Vinn: Kolmemaatan jääkiekkoliiga; Bergwieser: Fluvanniener Eishockey Liga; Umitaku: ふるばにやホッケーリーグ) is a professional ice hockey league in eastern Abos, comprised of 12 teams -- ten in Fluvannia and two in Dunferm. It is often considered one of the premier hockey leagues in the world, if not the premier league. The FHL is the most-watched sports league in Fluvannia in terms of television viewership, and the wealthiest sports league in Fluvannia in terms of revenue. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams play for the Union Cup.

The FHL was formed in 1948 in Appleton, and 4 teams played in its inaugural season of 1948-49 during a period of 18 weeks. The FHL was suspended between 1975-1984 as a result of the Third Great War. The league resumed in 1984 and has remained in operation since.

Historically, the FHL was a closed league, operating using the franchise model. Beginning with the 2022-23 season, the FHL entered into an agreement with its own minor league, the Premier Hockey League to adopt a promotion and relegation system between the two leagues.

Media coverage

Fluvannia

Arena Sportsnet holds rights to broadcast the FHL at the national level in Fluvannia, doing so since the network's inception in 1987. Prior to this, the Fluvannia Broadcasting Corporation was the national broadcaster for FHL games, with radio coverage since the league's inception and television coverage starting with the 1952-53 season; before this time, no FHL games were televised in any capacity.

Additionally, each team has a local broadcast partner, often the local FBC or RBN affiliate, which have rights to broadcast those games not shown on Arena.

International

Starting with the 2021-22 season, FHL games were available for international customers on streaming service Blockbuster.

International competitions

FHL teams have occasionally played games against teams from other countries, as well as games against FHL opponents in foreign locations. Some of these foreign-held games between two FHL teams have been exhibitions, often occurring as part of the league's preseason. Others have been regular-season matches, with points in the standings on the line.

See also

• Sport in Fluvannia