Federal Hockey League Set To Debut With Burgers, Shamrocks

The long awaited arrival of the Federal Hockey League (FHL) is nearly at hand.  The Big Kahuna Tasty Burgers are set to travel to the land of the Shamrocks to take on last year's Legend Cup runner up Sterr Foundation in the FHL Season opener set for next Tuesday October 8th at 10:15pm CST at the Inwood Ice Arena. 

 The home team Shamrocks will feature rookie Shane Muir in goal.  Muir comes in from the Coastal league where he posted a 93.7 save percentage last year in 62 starts and is the leagues only rookie goalie to win a starting job out of camp.  Future Hall of Famer Bill Hetfleisch is expected to be in the line up for the Shamrocks despite reports of a lingering lower body injury.  He will be joined by returning forward Matt Ryan who is expected to fill the void left by the unexpected departure of the teams second leading scorer last season Bryan 'Bodi' Carver.  Carver inexplicably signed with arch nemesis Insomniak Vigilantes in the off-season in a reportedly incentive-laden 6 month contract.   

The Shamrock Blueline Club is expected to consist of the skating fossil Jeff Sterr, electric and unpredictable speedster Jim Kenny, crafty veteran Bill Reynolds and whoever skates backwards the fastest in the morning skate.  Up front joining Hetfleisch and Ryan will be recent Legend Cup winner Dan Kenny along with Bryon Medina, Athony Petronzi, Dave Reaume, Michael Reyes and rookie Alec McCleary.  Latest reports say McCleary hasn't been released from his contract in Europe yet and may not clear customs in time for puck drop on Tuesday.

The Tasty Burgers come to town with a revamped roster after narrowly missing out on a trip to the Legend Cup finals last season.  Up front the firepower will come from forwards Brian Donchez, Adam Carlton, Rich Ruzas, Bill Durrant, rookie Chris Weber and Matt Liebermann while the D core should consist Mike Hannon, Chris Blumka, Larry Collins Laura Smulski and Sean Deering.  The offense will need to establish itself early as the defensive unit should be among the leagues best out of the gate.  Dan Rippy returns to the net after missing last season while engaged in a lengthy contract dispute.

The game is sold out but there are still tickets to be had on the Loop 97.9 every day during the midday show with Kevin Matthews and Jim Shorts.