Fluvannia Hockey League
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Current season, competition or edition: 2022–23 FHL season | |
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| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | March 20, 1948 |
| 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.
History
Predecessors
Original Five era
Initial Expansion
Third Great War
International Expansion, Promotion, and Relegation
Player safety issues
Women in the FHL
Organizational structure
Board of Governors
Executives
Teams
List of teams
Timeline
Rule differences with international hockey
Season structure
Entry Draft
Trophies and awards
Teams
Players
Origin of players
Corporate sponsors
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.
Dunferm
Out-of-market packages
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.
Popularity
See also
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