Washington & Quebec Announce Team Name Changes;
Special Ceremony for Cup Champion Coming Soon
August 11th, 2025
The chase for the 2026 Stanley Cup is on.
Several weeks ago, the Rain City Bitch Pigeons secured a three-peat championship triumph (and fourth total in franchise history) over the Laval Nomads. Now, front offices across the AFHL will be working to put their teams in position to contend in the 2025-26 season and beyond.
The first tentpole on the offseason calendar is the AFHL Entry Draft, which began today at 9am EST. The Alberni Alpacas (formerly known as the Washington Wolfpack) kicked off this year’s draft by selecting the highly touted and super dynamic Michael Misa.
“With the 1st Overall Pick in the 2025 AFHL Entry Draft, the Alberni Alpacas are proud to select Michael Misa from the Saginaw Spirit.”
The Lethbridge Inferno and Barrie Brigade hold the No. 2 and No. 3 overall selections, respectively. Antigonish, Montreal, Long Beach, Barrie, and Alberni are among several teams with multiple first-round picks this year.
Where is the 2025 AFHL Draft being held?
The Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles is hosting the draft.
What TV channel is the 2025 AFHL Draft on?
The first round of the draft will air on ESPN. AFHL Network will carry the Day 2 broadcast.
How to stream the 2025 AFHL Draft live online
Both days of the draft will be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
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Team Name Changes Announced
In a stunning turn of offseason events, two AFHL franchises are entering the new season with bold new identities. The Washington Wolfpack have officially rebranded as the Alberni Alpacas, while the Quebec Voyageurs have transformed into the Atlanta Flashers.
The announcements, delivered in back-to-back press conferences on Sunday, have already set social media ablaze and have fans buzzing with anticipation.
After years of running with the pack and finishing this past season with the 1st Overall Pick, GM Jared Sexton said the time was right for a fresh direction.
“Look, the Wolfpack brand was strong, but we felt it was time to lean into something more unexpected,” Sexton told reporters, standing in front of a giant banner depicting a grinning alpaca in a hockey helmet. “The alpaca is a symbol of patience, intelligence, and unflappable calm. Plus, they spit on their enemies when threatened. That’s the kind of edge we want on the ice this year.”
Fans in Alberni are already embracing the change, with a surge in pre-orders for the new jerseys, featuring bold green-and-tan color schemes and a mischievous alpaca logo.
Meanwhile, GM Lucas Persell pulled no punches in announcing the Quebec Voyageurs’ radical makeover. The Voyageurs name, which quickly became rich in heritage, has been retired in favor of the flamboyant and controversial Atlanta Flashers.
“We’re in the entertainment business,” Persell declared, wearing reflective sunglasses indoors. “You want tradition? That’s fine. But we want eyeballs. We want headlines. We want the other team rattled before the puck even drops. The Flashers will be in your face—literally and figuratively—every single night.”
Persell wouldn’t confirm whether the new mascot would be wearing pants. He simply winked and said, “We’ll let the fans find out on opening night.”
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AFHL to Honor Rain City Bitch Pigeons with Unprecedented Stanley Cup Celebration
Rain City fans, clear your calendars—something big is coming.
The AFHL has officially announced a special ceremony to honor the Stanley Cup–winning Rain City Bitch Pigeons, who have cemented their dynasty by capturing their third straight championship and an astounding fourth Stanley Cup in total.
Tradition will take a back seat for this one. In recognition of this historic achievement, the league is pulling out all the stops.
Parade, Party, and a Mystery
The festivities will kick off with a massive parade through the streets of Rain City, leading straight to the team’s home ice arena. Once inside, all players, coaches, managers, and fans will gather for what the league is calling “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“Winning one Cup is special. Winning two is rare. But three in a row? Four total? That’s legend status,” said Commissioner Tony Furino at the announcement. “This franchise has rewritten the record books, and this ceremony will break tradition just like they’ve broken expectations. And yes—we’ve got a big surprise in store for the fans once we’re inside the arena.”
While details of the surprise are under tight wraps, rumors are already swirling about what it could be—from celebrity performances to a jaw-dropping on-ice reveal.
A Dynasty’s Moment
Bitch Pigeons GM Jason Henley spoke about what the event means to the franchise:
“Our players bled for the Cup, our fans screamed for the Cup, and our city has lived for the Cup,” Henley said. “We’re going to celebrate the Rain City way—loud, proud, and probably a little unhinged. And when that surprise hits? Let’s just say no one will forget it.”
The official date of the ceremony will be revealed soon, but league officials say it will take place in the next few weeks to maximize fan attendance.
Until then, one thing’s certain—the Rain City Bitch Pigeons aren’t just champions; they’re a dynasty, and the AFHL is about to give them a celebration worthy of the name.
MEDIA DAY: Déjà vu all over again
April 7th, 2025
For the second year in a row, the Rain City Bitch Pigeons and the Laval Nomads will battle for a Stanley Cup under the bright lights this week, but first they had to survive one of fantasy hockey’s most grueling contests – Media Day.
News conferences are nothing new for elite athletes, but there is nothing quite like the Stanley Cup Finals Media Day and its relentless non-stop questions.
Here are some of the best quotes that we heard…
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QUESTION FOR RAIN CITY FORWARD CONNOR MCDAVID:
The Rain City Bitch Pigeons are the biggest dynasty in AFHL History. Your team won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2019 and then back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2023 and 2024, crushing AFHL fans’ hopes across the country. You guys are now looking to become the first team to ever three-peat this week. How are the players on your team dealing with all the haters?
CONNOR MCDAVID:
“We’re embracing the villain role with full awareness and conviction. We know we will not have an easy matchup against Laval, but we have the belief that we are still the best team in this league given our Stanley Cup track record and diverse talent on the roster. That being said, haters are just noise. Doesn’t bother us one bit.”
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QUESTION FOR LAVAL FORWARD DYLAN LARKIN:
What is the difference between this Finals appearance and last year’s Finals appearance?
DYLAN LARKIN:
“It’s not as overwhelming as it was the first year. I think we know what we are coming into this time and it feels good to be because. But, this means nothing if we don’t win it and that’s the mentality I have this year.”
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QUESTION FOR RAIN CITY FORWARD MITCH MARNER:
You’re one of the veterans on this team. You’ve been a part of all three of Rain City’s Stanley Cup victories. How does it feel to be look up to on this squad?
MITCH MARNER:
“Yeah, it’s nice. The younger guys, and even the guys who have not won it yet, they are always asking me questions and I’m always giving them honest answers and I hope that helps them because that feeling of having this opportunity is something we all want to have at least once… if not more.”
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QUESTION FOR LAVAL DEFENSEMAN QUINN HUGHES:
What is the current hunger level for this squad to win? Several core players have been with this team for many years. Is there a pretty strong desire to finish what they have started?
QUINN HUGHES:
“I’m not so sure they are here to finish what they started as much as it’s just they want to win. These guys really want to win, man. Everybody in this organization wants to win. Coach Alex Chau stated he wants to win badly and you’ve seen the moves that he has made the last several months and he added top-end players and key pieces throughout the time we’ve been here. These guys will do anything it takes.”
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QUESTION FOR RAIN CITY DEFENSEMAN ADAM LARSSON:
What is the strategy for dealing with Laval’s forecheck?
ADAM LARSSON:
“We know it is going to be a physical series. The Nomads come hard and they finish their checks and we’re aware of that. It’s going to be about having good first touches, getting to the puck first, and making good reads. There won’t be a single play we can rely on every time either, we’re going to have to move our feet and make reads and be smart with where we go on the first touch. They’ve always been a great forecheck team and we learned last year and got better and better dealing with it as the series went on.”
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QUESTION FOR LAVAL COACH ALEX CHAU:
What do you think about the possibility of the next word engraved on the Stanley Cup being Laval?
“It’s a lifetime achievement. You can ask anyone here, what are your dreams if you can have anything you want and winning the Stanley Cup is one of the answers. It’s what I’ve been working on for a very long time.”
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QUESTION FOR RAIN CITY COACH JASON HENLEY:
What is your mentality going into your fourth Stanley Cup Finals?
JASON HENLEY:
“Laser focus. My mindset is all about execution in the Stanley Cup Finals. I’m not thinking about the crowd, the cameras, or the moment. I’m thinking about the first play, the first read, the first hit. Every detail matters. Making sure my guys are prepared — mentally, physically, emotionally — so when we step onto that ice, there’s no hesitation. Just trust in the preparation, trust in the team, and belief that we’re going to win. Period.”
TSN Analysts Make Predictions & Festivities Around The League
March 24th, 2025
The regular season is over and the playoffs are finally here! Hockey analysts at TSN Studios are here to give their first round predictions. Let’s dive right in.
(1) Rain City Bitch Pigeons vs. (8) Long Beach Ice Dogs
MELROSE: This is probably the most interesting first round series. Two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Lucas Main, takes on the three-time (defending) Stanley Cup Champion, Jason Henley. The defending champs dominated all season finishing with the best record in the league to capture another President’s Trophy. But Rain City closed the season with a pedestrian loss to Shawinigan. If Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl return from injury, maybe that changes things, but the Bitch Pigeons just don’t seem to be playing well without their top two players to come away victorious. Long Beach wins 6-5.
LEBRUN: Everyone loves an underdog story, and what Lucas Main has done with the Ice Dogs is nothing short of remarkable. After winning back-to-back Cups in 2017 and 2018, Lucas decided to step down and take over the worst team in the league. Now, five years later, hed has made his triumphant return to the playoffs. The roster doesn’t have the sexiest names, but don’t count out one of the smartest GMs this league has ever seen. Long Beach wins 8-2.
(2) Laval Nomads vs. (7) Antigonish X-Men
MELROSE: Maybe life in Antigonish will come full circle and the X-Men will do their best impression of the 2024 X-Men, defying the odds just a little longer. More likely than not, though, this series will end exactly as everyone expects: With the Nomads using it as a tune-up toward a more worthy challenge. Laval wins 7-3.
LEBRUN: Although the X-Men are playing great hockey lately, this team does not have the same fire power they boasted last year. They’re matched up with a Laval squad that knows what it takes to win and has the motivation of last year’s Stanley Cup Finals loss to fuel them. It’s easy to count out Antiognish with the odds completely in Laval’s favor — the Nomads have been a favorite all season long and it’s their series to lose. Laval wins 8-1.
(3) Shawinigan Vikings vs. (6) Manhattan Supermen
MELROSE: If any team has the potential to do some damage now that they’re in the playoffs, it’s the Supermen. But that won’t be easy against a contender like the Vikings. Shawinigan likes its group for a reason. With the greatest goal scorer in history of hockey in the mix, the Vikings should be the team to beat. Shawinigan wins 7-5.
LEBRUN: This is big-boy hockey. Shawinigan and Manhattan are two heavyweight teams with serious championship aspirations and it wouldn’t be a shock to see either team go all the way when all is said and done. If Manhattan wins this series, you can assume how it’ll play out; Sorokin, Andersen, Stolarz will stand on their heads, and the skaters will score enough to get by. If the Vikings win, it’ll be treated as another example of Nikita Kucherov and company exorcizing their playoff demons. Manhattan wins 5-4.
(4) Boston Giants vs. (5) Sarnia Sting
MELROSE: This series is a star-studded showdown between two teams that most expected to make the postseason. With how both teams play, the entertainment should be sky-high for what will likely be a sneaky-fun series. Both teams have a real shot in this series, but only one can prevail. That’s probably Auston Matthews and the Giants. Boston wins 6-3.
LEBRUN: Sarnia can score with the best teams in the league, but can it keep the puck out of its net? The blue line is diminished from what it once was and goaltenders other than Kuemper have been inconsistent. Not exactly the combo you want against a team that can come at you in waves. The Giants get the edge because their top offensive players are that special. Boston wins 7-3.
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PLAYOFF FESTIVITIES AROUND THE LEAGUE:
Rain City Bitch Pigeons
The Playoff Plaza Party presented by Pepsi begins at 3:30pm featuring live music and fan activations such as airbrush hats, cotton candy, inflatables, gaming truck, Kids Zone and more. All fans who attend Game 1 will receive a Pigeons Gold t-shirt, and there will be additional activations from Pigeons partners Icee, Nestle, and Pizza Pizza.
Long Beach Ice Dogs
The Smash Car will make its debut in Long Beach for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fans will have the opportunity to take a hit at the car, painted in Rain City’s team colors, with a sledgehammer in exchange for a small donation to the Ice Dogs Foundation.
Laval Nomads
The Nomads have partnered with the City of Laval in celebrating playoff season by installing light pole banners on streets surrounding their home ice arena. In addition, all fans attending Nomads playoff games will be given a special Red & Blue playoff rally towel upon entering the building through the turnstiles.
Shawinigan Vikings
Prior to Game 1, a celebration will be held in front of Shawinigan’s home ice arena to kick off the 2025 Playoff series against the Manhattan Supermen. This celebration will include music from DJ Paulie D, giveaways and photo opportunities with John Tavares and Filip Forsberg beginning two hours ahead of puck drop. Fans can fuel up at Vikings Tap and Kitchen or Stammer’s Hall before the game. During this time, Main Street will become a car-free zone for fans to gather.
Antigonish X-Men
The X-Men will host a special open practice on Monday morning featuring giveaways, opportunities to win playoff tickets and signed memorabilia, a sign-making station, an appearance by X-Men mascot “Xeno” the mutant beast with glowing eyes. Fans are encouraged to attend all X-Men practices throughout the playoffs, which are free and open to the public.
Boston Giants
Fans are invited to pick up free Giants playoff lawn signs at the Giants Iceplex Arena beginning Monday, March 24th. The offer is limited to one item per person, while supplies last, during normal store hours. Also, all babies born in Boston during the Giants postseason run will receive a Giants Playoff Babies gift bag.
Sarnia Sting
A brand new bar named “The Hive” has just opened a few steps away from Sarnia’s home ice arena and it will be buzzing with energy every night during the Sting’s playoff run. The Hive has quickly become the most popular spot for Sarnia fans to swarm and enjoy an electric atmosphere, revel in the spirit of the Sting playoff games, sip on handcrafted cocktails, ice-cold craft beers, or favorite classic beverages along with favorite dishes from Stingers Bistro.