TENDERS
A tender is a form that players sign announcing his intention to play with a team in a certain league. Once signed, the tendered player may not tryout for any other team within that league except with permission from that team. Additionally, a tender means that no other team within that league may continue to recruit him.
Each team is granted a certain number of tenders per year, often five to eight depending on the league. A tendered player may tryout for any US and Canadian teams outside of the league without consequence.
CAUTION: Being tendered or being invited to join a junior team is actually not a guarantee that you have a roster spot for entire year (although this shows a stronger likelihood that a team staff sees your value). Remember that the USA Hockey roster freeze is not until February, so you can expect to see player movement between teams and to see some players drop a Tier or drop from junior hockey altogether. A tender is not a guarantee. It's like a promise ring given to a girlfriend that no one knows about. There are no consequences to the team if the team takes back the offer. You could be dropped after everyone else has had their tryouts, leaving you with no options or you could stay the whole year but you're on the team as long as the staff wants you. The player has some say in his destiny because he can't be drafted to another team in that same league if he signed a tender. (That prevents getting drafted onto a team you definitely don't want...) A final word of caution: signer beware. Get all the promises made to you in writing. What if the coach changes? What if you get hurt over the summer?
DRAFT
The draft is a system in which teams within a league are granted several rounds (plus or minus any trades) to select free agent player for the following season. Drafts are usually held in late spring.
USHL Futures Draft | May 1, 2012
USHL Entry Draft | May 22, 2012
2012 NAHL Entry Draft Thursday, May 31 at 1 p.m. CST.
USHL Draft
NAHL Draft
Tendered players are not eligible to be drafted by another team in the same league. Players who were already on the final protected roster of a team are not eligible to be drafted by another team within the league. Players do not need to register to be eligible for the draft.
Remember that most junior teams hold open and final tryouts during the summer; drafted and tendered players must often come to these camps and perform well. Check with your intended team about what commitment they will give you if you are signed or drafted by them. (Some players who thought they had a spot have found themselves looking for a team after all the tryouts were basically finished!!) Some leagues do not hold a draft and other do not use tenders; likewise some of this information is made public and other leagues keep the information in house.
WHAT IF I'M NOT DRAFTED OR SIGNED TO A TENDER IN THE SPRING? WHAT NEXT?
Players that go un-drafted and that do not sign a tender should contact the team(s) that they are interested in playing for next season. These players are eligible to tryout for any team and may earn a initial roster spot through the tryout process. Be aware that if you are drafted/tendered and if a team did not invite you to camp that you could be part of their fundraising campaign to pay for those who make the team. Take a realistic look at your skill and make a plan for trying out with at least one "back up plan" team a level lower than where you think you belong.
Tryout dates and information are posted on their websites in late spring and often on the league website. Some websites have online profile forms that automatically send information to team staff who will decide if they will invite you to their open camp. Players who participate in showcases may soon find their mailboxes full of tryout invitations for teams and their phone ringing off the hook. The showcase process is good because it provides your contact information to scouts who really want you on their team. It’s wise to keep some paper by the phone to write down who called and from what organization, particular information. Decide a place to keep all the information that comes in so you can easily retrieve it later. Always ask where they saw you and what they liked about you...you'll find out if you're part of their fundraising or really interested.
