2017 FNHL Cup Champions

Florida Panthers

Led By GM: Toby Rice

Row 1: Ondrej Pavelec, Jason Bacashihua

Row 2: James Sheppard ,  Alexi Mikhnov, Marian Hossa, Keith Ballard, Jordan Leopold

Row 3: Jonathan Huberdeau, Jeremy Morin, Stefan Legein, Eric Brewer, Mark Stuart

Row 4: Alex Galchenyuk, Nicholas Dimitrakos, Jeremy Colliton, Tyler Cuma, Dylan Olsen

Row 5: Jiri Cetkovsky, Patrick Eaves, Dmitri Utkin

Out Of Nowhere.... Or Perfectly Planned?

Toby Rice is one of the most active GMs in the FNHL. Because of that he was been able to sign players, trade players, workout players, and contribute to his team just as much as anyone. Over the past few offseason, he has raised eyebrows by signing players that are top tier guys for top tier money, even though they were nowhere close to winning the cup. This past offseason, Marian Hossa chose to go to Florida even though GMs in the league scoffed that he would never win the cup there. Many thought that Hossa was just going to Florida to be the top guy and skate by and get his paycheck. As they sketch the name Marian Hossa on the cup, we are all eating crow.

Lots of people around the league are going to look at this result and be shocked that Florida won the cup. Was this really out of nowhere or did Toby Rice figure everything out. With players like Alexi Mikhnov, Keith Ballrd, Jordan Leopold, Eric Brewer, and Marian Hossa this team is not just some young team that is rebuilding. With young guys like Ondrej Pavelec, Jonathan Huberdeay, Jeremy Morin, Stefan Legein, and Alex Galchenyuk they aren't just some team with no youth that is trying to win the cup right now.

I not only think that Rice did an amazing job on this team but I believe he earned every single win this season. I also believe that Florida will be a contender for a long time. Congrats to Toby Rice and the Florida Panthers on the winning the 15th FNHL Cup!