FHL News: Wild Ducks First Championship

Scott Collard receiving the original FHL Cup from then-Commissioner Ken Hamilton.

The Wild Ducks have won ten FHL Cup championships.

Scott captured his first title 24 years ago, in 1996. At the time, his team was named "The Haps."

Why The Haps?

During his first year in the league, Scott's team suffered an inordinate number of injuries. In honor of such, Scott abandoned the name "Scott's Shooters" and branded his team "The Health Alliance Plans" (i.e. The HAPS) at the start of the 1995-96 campaign.

Scott's team was later named the West Coast Ducks (WC Ducks), and then, in 1999, the Wild Ducks.

Posted below is the is the "FINAL EDITION" of 1995-96, the FHL's third season.

Side note ...

Scott drafted Mario Lemieux in 1993-94, the FHL's first season. Lemieux missed the first 10 games as he recovered from off-season back surgery. Lemieux then missed another 48 games due to ongoing back issues, closing the season with just 37 points (the injured Lemieux, largely why "Scott's Shooters" were renamed "The Haps").

Lemieux then missed the entire 1994-95 season, opting to rest his back - and to further recover from the fatigue brought-on by radiation treatments (for Hodgkin's lymphoma).

Cancer, chronic back issues, fantasy hockey-wise, Mario Lemieux's stock - despite his pedigree - was at an all-time low.

Flash forward to the 1995-96 FHL draft.

With his status uncertain - and his back problems still thought to be an issue - Mario Lemieux wasn't high on anyone's draft list.

Scott wisely rolled the dice on Lemieux, acquiring the 31 year-old in the 4th round of the draft. The pick - forever known as the biggest steal in FHL history - propelled Scott and his Haps to the FHL Cup.

Mario Lemieux - the 4th rounder - played 70 games; finishing the season with 69 goals, 92 assists and 161 points.

The NHL numbers equated to 318 FHL points - a still-standing FHL record.



For your viewing pleasure (mosty Scott's viewing pleasure) ....