SHL vs FPHL

SHL

The SHL (Swedish Hockey League) is the top ice hockey league in all of Sweden.

FPHL

The FPHL is a lower-tier professional ice hockey league based in the United States. The league was originally founded back in 2009.

Location: Sweden

Location: United States

Skill Level in SHL

The Swedish Hockey League is one of the premier ice hockey leagues in the world following the NHL and maybe KHL, AHL.

Skill Level in FPHL

The FPHL is a lower-tier professional ice hockey league that's based in the United States. The league was initially called the FHL (Federal Hockey League) when it was formed but later rebranded to the current league name which is the FPHL (Federal Prospects Hockey League). Majority of teams in the league are based in the eastern half of the US, ranging all the way from New England and upstate New York down to the southern states and the Gulf of Mexico.

Player Perspective: SHL

"The SHL is the real deal. After my playing career in the AHL which included a couple dozen games up in the National (NHL), I decided to move over to Europe to finish out my playing career. My wife and I wanted to experience a new place while I kept playing so the timing was perfect. The skill and speed of the game in Sweden was up there with any league and I greatly enjoyed my two seasons there."

Player Perspective: FPHL

"My experience in the FPHL was positive. You're obviously not making a ton pay wise, but the city I played in down South was big on their minor hockey. Our fans packed our barn every night and the locals treated us like pros at the rink and at any local establishment in town from restaurants to golf courses."

Number of Teams in SHL: 14

Number of Teams in FPHL: 14

Caliber of Players and Imports in SHL

The skill level of players in the SHL is extremely high. Only the top-tier players from junior programs and lower divisions make it to the top league in Sweden. In terms of imports, you'll need to either be a top NCAA D1 player or spend significant time in the pros playing well in the ECHL up to the AHL/NHL level to cut it in the Swedish Hockey League. If you're based in Europe, you better be ripping up numbers to attract team attention here. We've heard of a number of NHL veterans who came over at the tail ends of their careers and struggled to keep up with the fast pace. There's a reason it's considered one of the best leagues in all of Europe.

Caliber of Players and Imports in FPHL

The skill level of players and caliber of play in the FPHL is much better than a lot of people realize. Similar to the minor leagues above it (SP, Coast), the league has gotten better in recent years skillswise too. Being that it's one of the lowest tiers of professional hockey, some people assume that anyone can play here. Almost all players who play in the Fed today have spent some time prior in juniors, college (NCAA, USports, ACHA, etc), or minor pro either in North America or Europe. There's always an exception or 2 to this with an out of nowhere walk-on, a 4th line fighter, etc, but for the most part players are not cutting it here unless they've also played in one of the places we listed above prior to playing here.

SHL vs FPHL

How would you compare/contrast SHL and FPHL?

Leagues At A Glance

SHL