The FGHL announced today that it has come to an agreement with Jim Chong; it is official, he has been named the General Manager of the first FGHL expansion team. Expansion has been a longterm goal of the FGHL since last season. With the introduction of the FGHL Expansion Plan, the league has been seeking two qualified people to take up the roles of General Manager for two new expansion teams, which will bring the total number of teams within the FGHL to 8. An expansion draft is scheduled on August 1st, which will give both General Managers a chance to build their teams.The nature of the agreement was such that Jim Chong was able to choose the location and name of the franchise, and we've received word that he has done so. He has chosen the region of Canterbury in New Zealand as the location of the expansion franchise. New Zealand is not a hot spot for fast paced North American sports, but Chong insists that with cricket as its main competitor, hockey should win out. As for the name, Chong has chosen to dub his new franchise the 'Canterbury Fighting Badgers'. With more, we go to a press conference with Chong:
Chong: Hello everyone. I'm sure you all have a lot of questions, so let's just get right down to business so we can get as many out of the way as fast as possible, as I have a draft to prepare for.
Media: First off, congratulations on your successful acquisition of the 7th FGHL franchise in league history. Secondly, we're all aware that you've chosen to name your team the Fighting Badgers. What was your motivation behind choosing this name?
Chong: Good question. We've decided to go with the Fighting Badgers due to the nature of the badger itself. The badger has developed a reputation of being ferocious and generally mean. This, I felt, fit the image that we will try to be building with our team here in Canterbury.
Media: We're well aware that the expansion draft will start in approximately one month. With big name players available in the draft such as Jason Spezza, Mike Richards, and Chris Pronger. Can you give us any sugge...
Chong: Not only that. Badgers are also known for sticking together. They have been known for forming clans, with some of those clans reaching a size of approximately fifteen badgers. Fifteen badgers is extremely frightening, especially when considering that they've been known for fighting off large predators such as wolves and bears. Our team will be tight like that.
Media: Err... I see. Anyways. Rumours have been circulating that you've already been on the phone with several General Managers around the league, trying to make deals. The most prominent rumour is that you've contacted Carl Newton, general manager of the champion Kansas City Archangels, to inquire about the services of goal scoring champion Steven Stamkos. Is there any truth to th...
Chong: We here at the Canterbury Fighting Badgers know that sporting events should be intense, but also entertaining. Badgers know how to have a good time. Did you know that badgers have been known to become intoxicated with alcohol after eating rotten fruit? We understand fully that alcohol is an important part of any live sporting event. As such, we will be selling rotten fruit at our games for our fans to enjoy, at a price just above the average FGHL beer price.
Media: ...
Chong: You know what else is pretty cool? In the 1973 version of Robin Hood, produced by Walt Disney, Friar Tuck was actually a badger! That just proves that badgers are the right way to go, since Friar Tuck was the most badass Robin Hood character. We'll also be asking all of our players to shave just the top of their heads bald, to honour the memory of the jovial friar.
Media: Friar Tuck wasn't real.
Chong: Did you know some jerks still hunt and eat badgers? In most places, badger was abandonned as a food long ago in recognition of its awesomeness. However, in Russia, badger is still eaten regularly. Some do pay the price for their sins, as badger meat is known to be a source of trichinellosis, a parasitic disease. Still though, I digress: our franchise will never draft, sign, or trade for a badger-eating Russian. Never, ever. Ever.
Media: Okay, seriously...
Chong: Badgers are a serious issue, not to be taken lightly. They strike fear into the hearts of humankind. Did you know in 2007, concerns regarding the British military were raised, as suggestions that they released man-eating badgers into Iraq to kill terrorists were brought up? Of course, this was eventually proven false, but the fact still remains: Badgers are fricken scary as hell.
Media: Alright, that's enough, we're out of here.
Chong: If I could be any animal, I'd be a dragon or a unicorn. But if I had to be a real animal, I'd definitely fall back on the badger as the safe and reliable alternative.
Media: What the hell?
Chong: Badger.
With the press conference finally coming to a close, it goes without saying that the new general manager in the FGHL will surely bring something interesting to the table this coming season. With the expansion draft rapidly approaching, questions such as 'Who will pick first?' and 'Who will be picked first?' will surely be answered. Stay tuned!
Final Standings (2009-2010 Season):
| Team | Points |
| Kansas City Archangels | 1148 |
| Hanmer Velocity | 1144 |
| Hamilton Tigers | 1108 |
| Missanabie Bears | 1089 |
| Springfield Hell's Satans | 992 |
| Zaza Dancers | 798 |
