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Daily Dish: Stagger the Roster Deadline Dates - Junior Hockey News
Published: Thursday, 26 Jul 2012
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Junior hockey prospects, and their families, have been getting the run-a-round this time of year since the early 90s. Why would it be so difficult for the United States Hockey League to set their rosters by the first week in August, than force the North American Hockey League to do the same thing a week later?
Such deadlines would eliminate some of the guesswork for prospects a week or so before classes get started at the schools. At some point, USA Hockey needs to understand that we are talking about a large number of student athletes here, and now a heard of cattle.
The teams, leagues, and prospect names change, but it is still the same old game. With total disregard to the academic adjustments it may cause, USHL teams are holding onto prospects as long as they can to make sure they have the right mix. Speeding up that process would give younger players the chance to settle in at their next best option.
While all that is going on at the USHL, NAHL coaches are having to do the same thing, and they also have a number of prospects that have zero chance of making the team once the USHL wannabes get to town. Most of the time we are talking about fringe prospects that are still of school age, but the delays also cause headaches for older players. Some of these guys like to take a few classes college during the season and that registration process can be tricky at the last minute.
Now lets see if anybody from the junior council steps to the plate to present this bit logic.
GoPenasco.com The Daily Dish is brought to you by GoPenasco.com. Relax, unwind...enjoy! Visit http://GoPenasco.com Stephen Heisler resides in Puerto Penasco with his wife, Maria, and their two children, Sonia and Tomas. Friend him on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/stephen.heisler for more information and pictures from Mexico.
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Here here
The USHL won't set their rosters until after their Showcase Tournament (It used to be the Buck Bowl) and the NAHL won't set their rosters until their Showcase Tournament is done. That's the way it's been for years and will continue that way.
The reason they do this, is because they want to see how players play in real games against other teams in their leagues. I know of several players that were on that edge of making or not making a team and solidified their roster spot with the way they played in those Tournaments.
I don't see this changing anytime soon.
Mike, I agree, the leagues can TALK about college development but when it comes down to it, it is really about themselves. What ever happened to words like commitment and development?
Both of these events could be scheduled earlier but we all know that is never going to happen either.
The cut-off dates make sense and should be brought into play if the USHL & the NAHL really cater to the "Student-Athlete" as they claime that they do.
One of my biggest beefs ever. Both as a player and a student. I may have missed out on some hockey opportunities just because I didn't want for the "I think may have a roster spot for you. Hang tough for a week or so".
Every team brags about prepping players for the next level - but the actions hinder both hockey and education development. Not to mention lack of their own abilities to determine their rosters so late.
I agree with Mike - that's the way it's always done and tough to break that mold. I agree with Pete the leagues need to step it up and make a roster dealine. Even tier 3 teams need this for the same impact to midget /bantam borderline players.
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