I have a dream...

[Bonehead]

I know this doesn't address the recruiting of elite talent but what if...

Each year after tryouts each team is required to upload its varsity roster to a common website
at which point any player not listed is a 'free agent' and has the option to a second tryout and 'sign' with ANY team
with the condition that any team signing a free agent cannot bump a rostered player.

1)Process is completed before practice begins
2)Adopted players must complete the season at the adopted program
3)Player not required to open enroll in the adopted school system.
4)The next year the player MUST try out for the adopted team.


PROS:
More varsity opportunities for kids stuck in big programs
More balance in top heavy regions
Better level of competition (especially for shrinking programs)
More transparency


CONS:
Might prevent some JV kids from moving up mid season
Deep programs can't stockpile reserves (maybe a pro?)
System rigging would probably continue
Cambridge goalie might not be happy

[allstatebenders]

Now I understand why you're username is Bonehead.

[rainier]

So if free agent kid from school A goes to school B and takes a spot from another kid at school B, does the school B kid then become a free agent and then go to school C where he forces another kid out?

Where does it end?

I think this is a terrible idea. If a kid thinks he might not make the team I suggest he move in advance to a school where he knows he will make the team.

How outraged would players/parents be if a kid not from their school just shows up 2 days before the season starts and takes a roster spot?

Updated: I now see that you said a rostered player would not be bumped, but if a kid is added to the varsity, some kid on the team already will get reduced playing time. You can't add a kid and not have someone lose playing time.

[HShockeywatcher]

So if free agent kid from school A goes to school B and takes a spot from another kid at school B, does the school B kid then become a free agent and then go to school C where he forces another kid out?

Where does it end?

I think this is a terrible idea. If a kid thinks he might not make the team I suggest he move in advance to a school where he knows he will make the team.

This is basically exactly my opinion on the discussion of students transferring to worse teams to have the opportunity to make a roster when they wouldn't make the roster at their current school.

[Bonehead]

So if free agent kid from school A goes to school B and takes a spot from another kid at school B, does the school B kid then become a free agent and then go to school C where he forces another kid out?

Where does it end?

I think this is a terrible idea. If a kid thinks he might not make the team I suggest he move in advance to a school where he knows he will make the team.

How outraged would players/parents be if a kid not from their school just shows up 2 days before the season starts and takes a roster spot?

It says you can't bump any announced roster spots. I know it's not gonna happen and wouldn't work if it did but sheesh.

[celly93]

How about just playing hockey where you go to school? If you're not good enough, then you're not good enough.

[pioneers]

So if free agent kid from school A goes to school B and takes a spot from another kid at school B, does the school B kid then become a free agent and then go to school C where he forces another kid out?

Where does it end?

I think this is a terrible idea. If a kid thinks he might not make the team I suggest he move in advance to a school where he knows he will make the team.

How outraged would players/parents be if a kid not from their school just shows up 2 days before the season starts and takes a roster spot?

It says you can't bump any announced roster spots. I know it's not gonna happen and wouldn't work if it did but sheesh.

Your own plan would preclude anyone from moving. If all schools had to post rosters before free agency, there would be no spots open for free agent players.

[thestickler07]

Your own plan would preclude anyone from moving. If all schools had to post rosters before free agency, there would be no spots open for free agent players.

[GolfGuy7900]

So if free agent kid from school A goes to school B and takes a spot from another kid at school B, does the school B kid then become a free agent and then go to school C where he forces another kid out?

Where does it end?

I think this is a terrible idea. If a kid thinks he might not make the team I suggest he move in advance to a school where he knows he will make the team.

How outraged would players/parents be if a kid not from their school just shows up 2 days before the season starts and takes a roster spot?

It says you can't bump any announced roster spots. I know it's not gonna happen and wouldn't work if it did but sheesh.

Your own plan would preclude anyone from moving. If all schools had to post rosters before free agency, there would be no spots open for free agent players.

There is no room for logic on these forums!!!

[Mite-dad]

Since we're on this whole dream gig, what would happen if AA teams were also allowed to field an A team? How would that shake out?

[almostashappy]

So if free agent kid from school A goes to school B and takes a spot from another kid at school B, does the school B kid then become a free agent and then go to school C where he forces another kid out?

Where does it end?

I think this is a terrible idea. If a kid thinks he might not make the team I suggest he move in advance to a school where he knows he will make the team.

How outraged would players/parents be if a kid not from their school just shows up 2 days before the season starts and takes a roster spot?

It says you can't bump any announced roster spots. I know it's not gonna happen and wouldn't work if it did but sheesh.

Your own plan would preclude anyone from moving. If all schools had to post rosters before free agency, there would be no spots open for free agent players.

The theoretical work-around would be for a coach to declare a varsity roster that has open slots that might be filled with free-agents at a later time. And hey, maybe these teams can have open try-outs, and charge hefty try-out fees. And film the whole thing and sell it to FSN+++ as a reality series. Or maybe schools can make tender offers, and have protected lists that allow them to own the rights to a fixed number of middle schoolers within their high school collection boundaries. And private schools would have to buy those rights from the public school teams if they want a protected player on their roster.

[gitter]

It says you can't bump any announced roster spots. I know it's not gonna happen and wouldn't work if it did but sheesh.

Your own plan would preclude anyone from moving. If all schools had to post rosters before free agency, there would be no spots open for free agent players.

The theoretical work-around would be for a coach to declare a varsity roster that has open slots that might be filled with free-agents at a later time. And hey, maybe these teams can have open try-outs, and charge hefty try-out fees. And film the whole thing and sell it to FSN+++ as a reality series. Or maybe schools can make tender offers, and have protected lists that allow them to own the rights to a fixed number of middle schoolers within their high school collection boundaries. And private schools would have to buy those rights from the public school teams if they want a protected player on their roster.

The best part of the whole idea would be when your neighbor in Edina is packing up his house and you ask him where he's going. "Well my son just got signed by Ely, we're moving up"

[almostashappy]

The best part of the whole idea would be when your neighbor in Edina is packing up his house and you ask him where he's going. "Well my son just got signed by Ely, we're moving up"

Moving up geographically, at least.

But hey, why can't big AA schools have single A farm teams? Then Edina could send a few of its players "down" to Ely to get them some extra playing time.