With only a few week to go before the start of the regular season, it seem to me that there are many team still trying to recruit the full roster. This at the United States Tier III and Canada Junior A level.
What is bothersome is some of the recruiting tactic being used by some of these team. Some tactic are misleading, and some are complete dishonest.
I recently hear of Tier III team calling player and saying they were scout for Tier II team and they want the player to come to camp. But they not say that camp is actually main camp for expansion Tier III team. This is simple dishonesty and is unethical practice.
I also recent hear of Junior A team recruiting player for main camp and not telling player they likely get sent to Junior B team that the A team has relationship with. They simply call it a trade after contract is signed and few games played when coach says player “not ready” or “doesn’t fit in” so send to Junior B for “seasoning”. This is unethical.
I hear of many team now having player report to “main camp” and only ten player at camp! How do team think player going to feel when he see ten player on the ice? How do they think parent going to feel about spending the time and money to attend the camp where team is likely to fold or not be competitive?
Recruiting should be and in most case is a very honest interview process with the team and player interviewing each other to see if there is the fit. This is the process that the best teams go through each year, and is the process that results in those team always having full roster and always be able to compete.
Player and parent have no one to blame but themselves though. If you do not ask the questions need to be asked then it is just as much you fault you have the bad experience or waste the money.
If you so desperate to play junior hockey, to be sure there are enough desperate team that will take you money. But you need to remember that desperate people do desperate things. Those desperate action usually do not end up in successful result.
Coach
