Syracuse, NY - FHL columnist John Landers sits down with FHL Commissioner Don Kirnan and Vice-Commissioner Andrew Richards for a two on one interview.

 

 

John - Commissioner, is the Federal Hockey League where you anticipated it would be as we enter season three?

 

Don - We are a little ahead of where I thought we would be both in buildings and in the level of play.

 

 

John - Five years from now would put us entering season eight. Where do you see the FHL five years from today?

 

Don - We hope to be in more markets and we hope the level will keep rising. We get calls every week from people all over who are interested in our league.

 

John - For many teams the Federal Hockey League has been a learning experience. Specifically as Commissioner what have you learned as we enter FHL season three?

 

Don - We see that the bar keeps rising in all business levels and in the hockey product. Our League has expanded and spread out more geographically than we anticipated from the starting point.

 

 

 

John - They say Monday morning quarterbacking is the best quarterbacking, so I ask in three years at the helm of the FHL if it were possible is there any one thing you would like a do over on?

 

Don - We worked hard on what was available to us 3 years ago. We did not lose any opportunities that were available to us. The staff has almost a century of hockey administration experience. It takes time in this business to have opportunities. As opportunities present themselves, we will give it the due diligence it deserves.

 

 

 

John - Why would any city want to join the FHL?

 

Don - A Pro team adds to the quality of life to a city that doesn't have one. I think our League had been a very positive benefit to every city we come to. As we see in other Sports sometime it takes losing a team to realize the hole it leaves in the community. The players are accomplished in their Sport and it gives fans a close look at something they may have never seen before.

 

 

 

John - How long do you see yourself as Commissioner of the FHL and if you had to name your replacement, who would you like to see succeed you?

 

Don - That is a hard question to answer. I would like to see the League grow before I move on. All Leagues that are new take a number of years to grow and mature. Look at the beginning of the NHL, and the NFL for example.

 

 

 

John - Thank you for your time and continued success with the FHL.

 

Don - I want to thank you for all that you do for the league both in the media and the playoffs.

 

 

 

John - Expansion discussion has been one of your jobs as Deputy Commissioner. Can we expect the FHL to continue expansion to the Midwest part of the United States or are there other locations you have in mind?

 

Sarge - There are several conditions that determine where we might expand:

a. Available facilities at reasonable rental rates within the geographic area of the leagues footprint.

b. A legitimate owner who is interested in any of those sites.

c. Approval by the League Governors.

 

 

 

John - The Akwesasne and Canada in general situation was very difficult for the FHL to deal with last season. Do you see the FHL returning to the Great White North anytime soon or is the United States where you are focusing on at this point?

 

Sarge - I would defer to question seven, we are not ruling out any viable sites, however, it is difficult to find suitable sites in Canada as Junior Hockey has a strangle hold on many sites.

 

 

 

John - As a man who has been around the game for many years is there too much fighting in professional hockey?

 

Sarge - don't believe so, if you study the trend, fighting is done in all levels of hockey and I believe it seeks its' own naturally by league rules, workman's compensation claims etc.

 

 

 

John - The FHL has shifted from a rink league to an arena league for season three. What is your vision for the FHL's immediate future?

 

Sarge - I believe we are on the right path, we need to be in Arena's not rinks and we have a far better understanding of what a realistic budget is for single A hockey and our owner's have far more knowledge than when we first started.

 

 

 

John - Do you ever see the FHL getting to the level where one day instant replay might be implimented to review goals?

 

Sarge - No

 

 

 

John - Do you see the FHL ever giving female hockey players or female referees a chance to participate in your league? 

 

Sarge - We already have, so it just depends on the circumstances, it could happen.

 

 

John - I wish you continued success with the league and thanks for your time.

 

Sarge - Thank you for all you do for the FHL

 

Next Monday 10-22-12 the Champion Williamsport Outlaws