Former Viper Patrick Cey Becomes Unrestricted Free Agent:

The ECHL Colorado Eagles had nineteen players listed on their protected list back on June, 1st 2012.  The Eagles along with the rest of the ECHL teams had until the ECHL signing deadline (July, 1st 2012) to sign any of these players listed on their protected list.  Players listed on the teams protected list who did not sign contracts by July, 1st 2012 became unrestricted free agents unless they are given a Qualifying Offer from the team, of which each club may issue up to eight.  The Eagles re-signed ten of the nineteen players on their procted list but couldnt come to terms with former Vernon Vipers forward Patrick Cey wich means Cey is now an unrestricted free agent.  Cey is currently not playing hockey this season.

Patrick Cey signed with Colorado last season playing in his first and only season with the Eagles. In 53 regular season games Cey picked up 7 goals-12 assists & 20 points but went pointless in two ECHL Playoff games last season. Cey played two years in Vernon (2005-2007). In 73 regular season games with the Vipers Cey collected (31-35-66).   

Patrick Cey's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=92087

Here are the rules and terms on teams protected lists,

This was posted on the Eagles & ECHL website:

The Colorado Eagles, along with every other ECHL club that played last season, submitted today their Season Ending Roster, a list of up to 20 players from their previously announced Protected List whom they retain negotiating rights with until July 1; players not listed on a team's Season Ending Roster become unrestricted free agents. All 19 players on the Eagles' Protected List, which was submitted on June 1, were also included on their Season Ending Roster; the 10 forwards, seven defensemen & two goaltenders are listed below.

Players listed below who do not sign contracts by July 1 will become unrestricted free agents unless they are given a Qualifying Offer from the team, of which each club may issue up to eight. No more than four of a team's Qualifying Offers may be given to veteran players (non-goalies who have played in at least 260 pro regular season games). If the Qualifying Offers are not signed by Aug. 1, they become void and the players can be signed for a different amount or choose not to sign at all, however, their ECHL rights will be retained by the offering team for the entirety of the following season, unless they are a veteran player.

If the player is a veteran, they become a restricted free agent throughout the month of August, during which they may attempt to negotiate a deal with another team. If they agree to a deal with a different team, the team that offered the Qualifying Offer has one week to match the other team's contract offer. Veterans who have not signed a contract of any kind by Aug. 31 become unrestricted free agents, free to sign with any club with no other qualifications.