stone169 wrote:Really sucks about the FHL considering they were going to have team just across the border, from where I am right now in Sarnia, in Port Huron Michigan to start the 2015/16 season. Hopefully the rumours are true and they can come back under a different name. We need more semi-pro leagues.
The problem is FHL bills itself as "A", but SPHL teams would absolutely destroy the FHL teams if they played head to head. SPHL teams move guys up to the ECHL and beyond -- Scott Darling tended goal for 2 season in the SPHL and the league has improved since then. There is no upwards mobility really in the FHL, it's where the guys go that can't make it anywhere else. The FHL reminds me of the AAHL that we had around here some years ago with teams in Battle Creek (and where the Evansville Icemen got their start).
I am doubtful about any kind of pro team at McMorran now in Port Huron. The support isn't there like there used to be. I also see no future for the OHL team moving from Plymouth to Flint. Flint is a terrible market right now.
Someone does need to find a level that can support Dayton, Flint, Port Huron, Johnstown, etc. I don't know what that level is anymore though. It does make EHM in North America seem... lacking, considering it's now missing the UHL/IHL and CHL in the lower levels. It could soon be Elmira, Wheeling, and Kalamazoo joining them.
This is one of the big reasons I want to be able to create leagues, even in just a pre-game editor.