As we approach the start of the 2023-2024 season, Tier II and Junior A teams are preparing to make their final cuts, and Tier 3 teams are lined up hopping those cuts will save some of their seasons.
TJHN has reports that no less than twelve teams in the United States and Canada could not play a game today if they were forced to take the ice. Some teams are being said to have less than ten players contracted currently. Less than ten players is not a problem, its an emergency.
Some teams at the pay to play level have already begun having players report, and practices are underway across the country. There are a few things to watch out for when you arrive to you team.
First is too many players. If there are more than 23 players total, including three goaltenders, you are likely on a team that is either greedy, or does not care about development as much as they say they do. Any more than three players, and one goaltender sitting in the stands on game day is simply unacceptable.
We have reports of some teams signing thirty or more players at this point and the reasons are not only greed, but to force the collapse of competitors who could otherwise use those players. Do not allow yourself, or your child to be used as a pawn in this off the ice game.
Second is too few players. If you have less than fifteen players, chances are things are going to get worse before they get better, if they get better at all. With injuries, and playing with a short roster injuries will happen simply based on fatigue, that fifteen number will be reduced quickly.
Loyalty to any program that has either the first or second issue is misplaced. Any team in either of those positions does not have loyalty to its players.
Tier II teams are also holding on to an average of thirty players until the end of September. This compounds the Tier 3 issues concerning rosters. Remember, players being released from Tier II teams at the end of September likely already have backup plans. The number of Tier 3 teams needing players far exceeds the number of players that will be released in September.
If you are a player who is currently on a Tier II roster and is later released, it is important to remember, you cannot be forced into a Tier 3 contract. There is no such thing as a trade from Tier II to Tier 3.
Its about to heat up in The Death Pool. Stick around.
