AFHL Announces the Return of the All-Star Game
January 22nd, 2024
The AFHL All-Star Game between the American Conference and Canadian Conference will return this season and feature an offline draft conducted by all 20 GMs. The draft will begin on Monday, January 29th and will end by Thursday, February 1st.
The Head Coaches of the two All-Star teams will be based on whoever is in first place in each conference at the start of the draft on Monday, January 29th. The responsibility of the Head Coach is to set the lineup for their All-Star team from the pool of players selected by the GMs in their conference. The Head Coach must then submit that lineup via email to the Commissioner by Friday, February 2nd.
The All-Star Game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 3rd.
Tickets for AFHL All-Star Game will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. ET on January 30th via Ticketmaster. In Canada, the event will be televised on CBC. In the United States, the event will be on ESPN.
“We felt like that was something that was a really fun event in past years,” the Commissioner said. “We started to hear our fans, our players, ask, ‘When will there be another All-Star Game?’ and we thought, ‘You know what? I think it’s time for us to bring it back.’”
The AFHL GMs will select 32 players for the AFHL All-Star Game, based on the players competing in the NHL All-Star Game. Each team will have a total of 16 players and it will be up to the Head Coaches to choose which of those 16 players will be in the starting lineup under the following format: 3 forwards, 2 defensemen, 1 goaltender, and 1 utility player.
“I think this is going to be just an incredible event,” said the Commissioner. “A memorable event, and something that everyone will enjoy.”
Another GM Gets the Axe, Lucas Persell Taking Over in Port Hope
October 3rd, 2023
The league announced Zach Ostrowski’s abrupt dismissal yesterday after he displayed an extremely low level of activity in his first two months on the job. Lucas Persell is the next man up.
“We had different expectations of Zach,” said the AFHL Commissioner. “The Port Hope roster is one of the oldest rosters in the league. There are several players on that farm that are not even in the league anymore. We want GMs who will take an active role in fixing issues like that. Additonally, he was as quiet as a mouse in our group chat which has always been one of my biggest pet peeves over my many years of running this league.”
It was a difficult decision on the part of the Commissioner but one he felt necessary to ensure the activity level remains high across the AFHL.
“While I’m disappointed it did not work out with Zach,” said the Commissioner. “I know it’s in the best interest of the league to bring in someone who will be more active both transaction-wise and group chat-wise.”
The Commissioner went back to his list of candidates and decided to tap Lucas Persell for the job. The Commissioner called Persell an outstanding GM who “knows fantasy hockey very well and brings more personality to the league.”
“He was a strong candidate throughout the interviewing process and I believe he is the best man to lead this team moving forward,” the Commissioner said.
Persell said it was a no-brainer to accept the position and that he was looking forward to the opportunity.
“I’m really excited to be joining such a dedicated league with a history such as the AFHL has,” Persell said at a press conference this morning. “My first order of business is the meet and get to know the players, and make the necessary changes to to help this franchise finally capture it’s first AFHL Stanley Cup.”
Persell takes over the Panthers at a crucial juncture in the wake of Ostrowski’s stunning dismissal. The franchise, previously led by Keith Cancilla, is coming off back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals.
“This team is obviously talented from top to bottom,” said Persell. “So the mindset os to win right here and now. I know this team has been working very hard this summer to prepare for the season. I look forward to diving in, working with our staff to help them get better every day and be ready for what we believe will be an exciting, winning season.”
Hamilton GM Gets the Axe, Rob Martin Announced as Replacement
September 27th, 2023
After two years of very little to no activity, the AFHL Commissioner has officially announced Adam Z has been relieved of his duties as GM of the Hamilton Firestorm. Rob Martin has been introduced as his replacement.
“I want this decision to serve as a reminder of the high standards we have in this league,” said the AFHL Commissioner at a press conference this morning. “It is a requirement to not only set your lineup and make transactions on a regular basis, but to post in our Telegram group chat on a regular basis. If you are not doing that then you will be replaced. Unfortunately, that is what happened here with Adam.”
It was a tough decision for the Commissioner to make but a league-wide high activity level is the lifeblood of the AFHL.
“This is the part of my job that sucks the most,” said the Commissioner. “But I have to do it in the best interest of the league. Every offseason I look at each GM’s activity level and whoever ranks at the bottom is almost always let go by default. Sadly, Adam was that guy. I would like to add that I appreciate the time he put into building the Hamilton franchise. I think Adam is a good man and I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
After interviewing nearly two dozen applicants over the course of three months, the Commissioner believes he found a suitable replacement in Rob Martin.
“Rob brings a wealth of knowledge from many years of experience as a GM in the fantasy hockey world,” the Commissioner said in a statement. “He has earned tremendous respect amongst his peers throughout his years of playing fantasy hockey and I believe his great personality will be welcomed with open arms into the AFHL family.”
The Commissioner cast a broad net in his search but seems to have homed in on someone who is very passionate about this game and will be highly active all season long.
“I am thrilled to be here as the new coach and GM of the Hamilton Firestorm,” Martin read from a prepared statement. “We have a really good team and really good players. My staff and I will work tirelessly to bring the Stanley Cup back to Hamilton.”
Martin is inheriting a talented Firestorm team that severely underachieved this past season. With elite talent like JT Miller, Brady Tkachuk, Tomas Hertl, and Zach Werenski already in the fold, Martin will have a chance to succeed right off the bat in Hamilton.
“When I look at this roster, I see a really good balance and blend of veterans and youth,” he noted. “If you look at the past winners in this league, those rosters were made up of a lot good young players and vets. Those teams can find success and I do think that personnel is here.”
Ultimately, it will be up to the players but the new bench boss is raring to go.
“Let’s get to work,” Martin said. “I think the messaging for me with the players is that we’re going to work our butts off in training camp to try to prepare ourselves for a return to the playoffs.”