FHL NEWS 2021-22 (FINAL)

Team MVP Cale Makar hoists the FHL Cup in front of an overflow crowd gathered in New Baltimore, Michigan; the Boulder Flyers - on the strength of Makar’s bonus-heavy 28 goal, 86 point season - capturing the 2021-22 FHL Cup Championship and its $600.00 prize.

A firm believer that “defense wins Cups” - the Boulder Flyers selected Cale Makar with their first pick in the draft; the first defenseman chosen; the 10th player taken overall.

Very pleased to have Makar but not entirely happy with the depth of their defense, the Flyers would later add Quinn Hughes, via a Week 8 trade; Hughes joining stalwarts Makar and Zach Werenski on the blueline.

Yet another defenseman would prove pivotal to the Flyers success; this time a defenseman that was moved - the Flyers trading Tyson Barrie for Gabriel Landeskog in Week 7.

With their D-foundation set - and with another elite forward in their ranks - the Flyers took flight.

Two weeks prior to their roster makeover, the Boulder Flyers were in 11th place overall; 79.0 points back. One month later the team was in 1st place, leading by 13.2. The Flyers would relinquish the lead at times, but the eventual champion never deviated too far from their Cup-course.

While a great defense was important, a large part of the Flyers success can be attributed to GM Morgan hitching his team to the Colorado Avalanche. Through the draft, free agency and trade, the Flyers had four Av’s starting; Makar, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog and Andre Burakovsky. When the Avalanche played well - which was most of the time - the Flyers also performed well.

The Flyers also employed bargain-bin finds to bolster their attack; Robert Thomas, Josh Norris and Noah Dobson providing key points at key times during the season.

With a great defense, good-enough forwards and two average goalies who play a lot (a page right out of the Boulder Flyers playbook) - the veteran franchise would rise to the top of 2021-22.

A league member since 1994, the FHL Cup championship was the 4th for the Boulder Flyers; their first title since claiming the Grand Prize in 2015.




Despite scoring a career-high 40 goals and 115 points, draft-day-steal Johnny Gaudreau (selected late in the 3rd round) couldn’t lead his team to the money; the four-time champion Bluliners ultimately finishing in 4th place overall; 12.5 points behind the 3rd place Ducks.

Despite the disappointment of not winning what would have been their first FHL championship, Baba Booey walks away with much respect for their effort and a check for $250.00; the 2nd place Booeys closing 5.5 points better than the Wild Ducks. Riding the surf of Shayne Gostisbehere’s 21.0 point week, the Ducks were able to get their mitts on the money, the team - after landing in 3rd place last year - awarded $120.00 for their again, 3rd place finish.





No team is more deserving of the Laughing Bag; Rocky Rocks closing shop after being eliminated from the H2H playoffs in Week 18. With no roster moves for over two months, the third-year franchise sunk deeper in the standings, the basemented Rocks ultimately finishing 268.7 points back; 91.8 points worse than the next-to-last team.


LINKS
Final Standings
Prize Money
FHL Cup Champions