Monday, January 27, 2025

Junior Hockey — The Only "Amateur" Sport That Wrongfully Trades Teenagers:

Young hockey players have been treated like chattel for decades. 

Here is the story from the Regina Leader Post,

Junior hockey — "amateur" sport wrongfully trades teenagers | Regina Leader Post

12 comments:

Marty said...

This article is a must read. I notice it is contributed by the Regina Leader Post. What a coincidence that the current Viper's owners are from Regina!!!

Trades have always been a part of hockey and I am sure no one would have an issue if the recruiters/GMs/owners worked with a sense of integrity and displayed a greater respect for these athletes. These are young men working hard to promote their hockey futures with an eye on schooling. To treat them as chattels is simply unconscionable. I think the BCHL league needs to address the mass turnover of players, especially in some of the teams, as this is giving the entire league a bad name. Perhaps return to a limited number of cards for the recruits and a minimum length of time the team must retain them. Then, ensure that teams make a commitment to recruit properly and commit to a respectable coaching program for their players. Amassing numerous players and hoping they have an immediate effect is unrealistic, coach them for a change. It appears that currently players are signing with teams who are making promises they are clearly not keeping, then the players leave for greener pastures. Rule changes have made it more difficult for this league to compete but it could lessen the negativity if it returns to re-focusing on being a desirable league for aspiring players. This, of course, must start with operating with integrity, providing good coaching and creating a positive experience for the players. Success will follow but I do believe this all must start at the league level. Anyone who remembers Duncan Wray knows he was a man interested not only in hockey but schooling and developing boys into fine young men. The league should refocus on the values he displayed. Somewhere along the line we have lost our way as a league.

PaulyWog54 said...

Agree 100% with this article.

I know 100% that the Vipers, in past years, would literally entice a player to return to the team, with so called promises, only to break them and trade said player.

This was during the Wray era so, either Duncan was implicit to it or the GM did this without Duncan's knowledge. Either way, the teams had all the power over the players, now the players have most of the control.

It was very standard practice for all teams to lure players to sign a card with the team so, they would have that “Product” to do with however, they wish.

Anonymous said...

Agree with these posts. I also know that players understand that trades and movement are part of the process and it’s a risk they knowingly take to further their hockey careers. The problem is with the integrity the coaches/GM operates with. I will not divulge any names but I know of at least one player who was sold on Vernon because he was told he’d get an opportunity to “play in every situation” meaning 5 on 5, 4 on 4, PK and PP. He arrived and fully committed to the opportunity and basically was given no chance and then told he’d get an opportunity next year. That is exactly the BS that needs to be removed or minimized if you want any players to sign and have any loyalty to the club. Needless to say, he left and is enjoying a good season in another Junior A league. Unless they stop lying to players, the revolving door will continue, and rightly so.

Anonymous said...

Comment deleted by Vipersdiehardfan

Anonymous said...

I don’t agree with this at all . Junior hockey is a buisness people with owners . Hockey players know this and what it takes and trades are part of the business. Should there be limits to trades and cards absolutely but there should also be repercussions to players walking away from teams for other opportunities. If you want to walk away do it at seasons end .

Anonymous said...

I could not disagree more. How can you punish a player who leaves for an opportunity when they were deceived into signing and then not played? These players need to play to earn an opportunity at the next level. I understand if they don’t measure up but far too many this year were relegated to the bleachers before they had a chance.

Anonymous said...

Oh I don’t disagree with that at all , if a player is lied too and is healthy scratched sure leave for better opportunity. clubs need to stop lying to players . Players are also bolting because of the position of the team just because your non playoff team . Its too easy now to leave .

Anonymous said...

Basically, slave labor, working for no pay!

JB said...

And yet we go to the games still.

Anonymous said...

Why wouldn’t we? Win or lose, support your team. A lot of fans seem a little entitled, thinking we should win every year. Sad.

Anonymous said...

Like coaches?

Anonymous said...

I think the lack of coaching is a factor as well.