SPHL vs FPHL

Both the SPHL and the FPHL are two of the lower levels of professional hockey in the United States. Each league has become more skilled in recent seasons due to more and more junior/college players aiming to keep playing with a limited number of teams. Each of these leagues have teams based in similar geographies with the FPHL team map stretching quite a bit farther north. Where these two leagues differ slightly is primarily around pay, upward mobility potential, and in season set ups. SPHL players make a bit more week to week than in the FPHL. They are certainly not rolling in dough by any stretch, but they are making slightly more on average. It's also more common for players in the SPHL to get called up to the ECHL than it is for FPHL guys to the SPHL. You'll still see it happen throughout the season across rosters, but some FPHL rosters don't see as much action in terms of call ups.

The skill level and ability of SPHL players continues to get higher every year. Years back, most guys coming out of the NCAA or even top junior clubs could cut it in the SPHL. Today, the landscape is more competitive with more college and junior players vying to continue playing at the next level. The far majority of SPHL rosters sport players with a mix of NCAA (D1 to D3), USports, high-end junior, or equivalent experience on their resume prior to them playing here. There's always a couple exceptions, but as mentioned already the bar is higher. The caliber of players across the league and roster depth is a bit lower than the ECHL above it and the FPHL below it.

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.